Re-Opening Plan Update

July 17, 2020

Dear Newman community,

As you all know, the Governor has ordered the closure of all indoor activities in California, including indoor worship services. On Wednesday, I met with our Pastoral Council to come up with a plan to best serve the needs of our community at this time. We also consulted with our friends at Good Sam to make sure that we were making the best use of our facilities.

On Sunday, July 19, we will have a Mass live streamed from the church at 12:30. It will be available on our website live, and also throughout the rest of Sunday. The only people in the congregation will be staff members who are serving as readers.

Starting the following weekend, July 25-26, through the end of August (or until restrictions get lifted, whichever is sooner) we will be offering two opportunities for Mass:

  1. We will offer a live-stream Mass on the website starting at 4:00 pm on Saturdays, with the recording available by 5:30 pm. Our online Masses have gotten as many as 400 views a week, so we know that we have been reaching a good number of people.
  2. We will also have an outdoor Mass at Newman on Saturday evenings at 5:30 pm. It should be cool enough by the late afternoon that we can comfortably gather (socially distanced, of course) on the Newman campus. Please bring your own chair, and make a reservation to attend the Mass. The reason we are moving to Saturday is that it allows us to record in the church earlier in the afternoon and also have the live outdoor Mass on the same day. This way, staff members limit their exposure and amount of time that we have to be out and about.

The Bishop’s dispensation for Sunday Mass continues. Please prayerfully consider when it would be wise for you to return to church. We continue to ask that the more vulnerable members of our community (those who are over 65, those who have pre-existing conditions, families with small children, anyone who is ill, etc.) choose to continue to stay at home.

We will also continue to offer our Liturgy of the Word via Zoom on our website, Monday to Friday, in place of the 12:10 daily Mass. Please join us when you can.

As we continue to respond to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, let us continue to keep each other in our prayers. Through the intercession of Our Lady, may the Lord continue to hold all us close to his heart now and always.

God bless,
Boom Martinez, S.J.

Should I come to In-Person Mass?

Understanding that many may not feel comfortable with attending In-Person Mass, the Bishop has given a dispensation for Sunday Mass until further notice. We ask that everyone prayerfully consider when it would be wise for them to return to church. We do request that the more vulnerable members of our community (those who are over 65, those who have pre-existing conditions, families with small children, anyone who is ill, etc.) choose to continue to stay at home. To accommodate those who choose to stay at home or are unable to get a reservation, we will be live-streaming Sunday Mass and have the recording available on our website. Check out Mass Times for the most up to date information.

What do I need to know about attending In-Person Mass?

  1. In-person Mass, both indoor and outdoor, are by reservation only on a first come, first served basis. To begin your reservation please visit our homepage.
  2. The reservation period begins on Monday at 8:00am and ends on Friday at noon prior to the Saturday Vigil or Sunday Mass.
  3. Because current state regulations limit us to 100 people, we will not be able to accommodate those who do not have a reservation.
  4. You will receive a confirmation email from us, no later than Friday at 8:00pm. The email will either have information regarding your seat assignment or notification that reservations are full. If you do not receive a confirmation email please contact us at reservations-staff@catholicucsd.org.
  5. When you come to church, please bring a copy of your confirmation email – either printed or on your phone – and check in at your assigned entrance.
  6. Please
    • Wear a face mask or other facial covering that covers your nose and mouth at all times. You are responsible for providing your own mask.
    • Apply hand sanitizer to your hands before entering the church and before receiving communion. You are encouraged to bring your own.
    • Stay home if you are sick or think you are sick.
  7. OUTDOOR MASS ONLY. We ask that you please bring your own chair.

When are In-Person Masses, Live-Stream Masses, and Recordings Available?

Check out Mass Times for the most up to date information.

Re-Opening Plans and Prior Communications