Bishop Stika, Father Antony, Gatlinburg Mayor and City Manager were among many who broke ground at Saint Mary

Covid Mandatory Health Directive for attending Mass at St. Mary Church, Gatlinburg  

(Effective May 30th, 2020)  

1) Admittance into the Church will be limited to maximum 50% seating capacity. “First come first served.”
2) Anyone displaying flu like symptoms will be prohibited from entering church.  
3) All attendees shall put on a protective mask prior to leaving their vehicle.  
4) Same-household members shall walk through the parking lot directly to the church
maintaining a 6-foot distancing from others traversing the parking lot.  
5) Entrance into and out of the church will be through the Church’s front entrance. Households
will maintain the 6-foot distancing.  
6) Each household will be escorted into the church to their seating by an usher.  
7) Seating shall be filled from the front and work toward the rear.  
8) Seating will be every other pew with no one sitting at the end of a pew.  
9) Contact any Ushers if anyone is in need of handicap accessible.    
10) Holy Water pond will remain completely dry.
11) Daily Missals and hymnals will not be provided.
12) Extended-handle collection baskets will be used for offerings and donations. Collection
baskets will also be located in the narthex where donations can be placed before or after Mass.  
13) Do not hold hands during the “Our Father” prayer.
14) The formal “Sign of Peace” is omitted but the nodding of the head is encouraged. No physical contact.  
16) There will be two distribution points for communion, one in the front and one at the back
of the Sanctuary. If needed, Communion can be distributed in the side chapel. The ushers will
direct households from the pews in single file toward one of the distribution points. Maintain 6-foot distancing between groups as they proceed. Everyone is encouraged to follow the mark.  
17) Before reaching the Communion distribution point, remove your mask, and sanitize your
hands with the provided sanitizer (or use your own). Then, one at a time, proceed to the point
marked “X” on the floor and extend your hands. Your non-writing hand shall be on top
supported by your writing hand to receive the Eucharist.  The communicant will immediately consume the Host, replace
their face mask, and return to their pew.  
18) At the conclusion of Mass, participants remain in your pew until an usher directs your
household to exit down the main aisle and out the front door.
19) Go directly to your vehicle and do not gather in the parking lot.
20) All are encouraged to bring sanitizer and clean your seats before use and again upon leaving.