05/30/2026
HELPFUL INFORMATION! Beginning this weekend, the Saturday and Sunday Masses at Holy Trinity will be celebrated in the main space of the Parish Hall. For the next two weekends, Fr. Zak will announce the following Guidelines for Mass in the Parish Hall before Mass begins.
Guidelines for Mass in the Parish Hall
As we begin worshiping in the parish hall during the church renovation, please keep the following guidelines in mind. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and charity as we make this temporary transition together.
1. Treat this space as sacred.
Although many of us associate the parish hall with meals, meetings, and celebrations, for the next several months, it is a sacred space set apart for the worship of God and the celebration of the Holy Mass.
- Please maintain a spirit of prayerful silence before and after Mass. Avoid unnecessary conversation in the worship space.
- When entering, bow to the altar before taking your seat. Since the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the chapel, there is no need to genuflect in the hall.
- If you arrive early, consider stopping in the chapel to visit the Blessed Sacrament and say a prayer before Mass.
- Help keep the space clean and orderly. Please return missals, worship aids, and kneeling pads after Mass, and leave chairs arranged properly.
2. Use the main entrance only.
To help with security and traffic flow, please enter and exit through the main doors of the parish hall.
- The glass side doors are for emergency use only.
- Please do not use the kitchen door as an entrance or exit.
Thank you in advance for your patience as we navigate the inevitable bottleneck after Mass.
3. Practice hospitality and flexibility.
Seating is more limited than in the church.
- Please be welcoming and willing to share rows with others.
- If you are a couple seated in a row, be prepared to welcome a family into the remaining seats, and vice versa.
- Let us make room for one another with generosity and good humor.
4. Kneel during Mass, if possible.
You are encouraged, but not required, to kneel during the Mass. Kneeling pads are available at the back of the hall.
- Those who are unable to kneel should remain standing, if possible, during the Eucharistic Prayer (from the Holy, Holy, Holy until the Great Amen) and after the Lamb of God until joining the Communion procession.
- After returning from Communion, you may sit or kneel as you are able.
A special note for our young parishioners: Kneeling pads are for prayer, not for sword fighting. Please leave them in one piece for the next Mass!
5. Be patient with the acoustics.
The parish hall was not designed to be a church, and there will be some challenges with sound and acoustics.
- Please be patient as we continue making adjustments.
- Most importantly, sing! Your participation in the hymns and responses will help create a prayerful and uplifting atmosphere for everyone.
6. Process towards the kneelers for Communion.
For Holy Communion, please come forward using the center aisle and the side aisles along the walls. Before getting up to enter the procession, put your kneeling pad under your chair.
7. Pray for the renovation.
Please continue praying for the safety of all workers and for the timely completion of the renovation project.
8. Keep criticism constructive.
We know there will be challenges and inconveniences during these months.
If you notice an operational issue and have a helpful solution, please let Fr. Zak know. We welcome constructive suggestions that can help us improve the experience for everyone.
Above all, remember that God is present among us. Though our surroundings are different, the same Lord gathers us together around His altar. Let us use this time as an opportunity to grow in faith, patience, and charity toward God and one another as we await the completion of our renewed church.
Thank you for your generosity and patience as we continue our faith life together as a parish family!
