Fr. John Bauer, rector and pastor of The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, has provided an update on the reopening of the parish amid the second wave of COVID-19 cases in Minnesota. 

Bauer briefed his parishioners in an Aug. 13  statement on the church's website.

“As you know, given the recent spike in the cases of coronavirus in Minnesota, we are being very cautious in this reopening," he said in the statement. "We have been open for daily Mass at noon for three weeks now. Our protocols are working well, and people seem very appreciative that we are taking everyone’s safety very seriously. As I have mentioned previously these protocols are explained in a brief video which is available on our website.”

Bauer noted that the previous two weekends have been open for the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass services. The permitted number of attendees was also doubled from 50 to 100. This could increase to 120-130 attendees if the number of positive coronavirus cases don’t rise.

Those interested in attending Mass can sign up starting on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. Registration will end when 100 attendees sign up or at 8:00 the following morning.

“When coming to Mass, we ask that you wear a face mask, and after being checked-in you will then be shown to a seat," Bauer said in the statement. "We ask that you continue to wear your face mask, and remain in that seat until the Mass has ended. Communion will be distributed after the Mass has ended. The 11:30 a.m. Mass is very simple with minimal congregational singing and just organ or piano and cantor."

He added that things could change if a COVID-19 outbreak is traced back to the parish. 

Bauer ended with a prayer for those who have passed away from the coronavirus and their families, and asked for the Lord’s presence with the doctors and nurses and those in the medical field.

“Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare," Fr. Bauer said. "In place of our anxiety, give us your peace. Amen."