Church of the Good Shepherd - Smithfield Virginia
Please read the following Mass guidelines that will be followed when the celebration of Mass begins. These guidelines must be followed in order to comply with social distancing. The following link will also take you to the diocesan website with Mass guidelines:
https://richmonddiocese.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Return-to-Mass-Guidelines-Draft-4.pdf 
Coronavirus Update from the Bishop
Beginning Saturday, May 23, 2020 parishes will begin the 'Limited Celebration of Public Masses'. MASS SCHEDULE: Saturday 5:00 PM Sunday 9:00 AM Weekday Mass Schedule: Tuesday - Friday 12:00 PM (Noon) Church will be OPEN for Personal Prayer for the following hours: Tuesday-Friday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm *This is for individual (family) prayer only. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information For updated information on the coronavirus, the Diocese of Richmond has created a web page. Visit the following website below for more information. www.richmonddiocese.org/coronavirus Sunday Mass with Bishop Knestout **Bishop Barry C. Knestout will live stream his private celebration of Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM until further notice for the faithful. For further details, visit www.richmonddiocese.org/livestream DAILY MASS: Daily Mass is available online or via media if you are unable to attend Mass at: https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass, ewtn.com/tv/watch-live/united-states, or adw.org/tvmass and after Mass offer this prayer: An Act of Spiritual Communion My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. Additional resources to support prayer and worship can be found here: www.cdrworship.org/coronavirus Reconciliation: By appointment. 
Funeral Information
Please call the office at 757-365-0579 if you would like to schedule a Funeral Service. If it is after hours, please listen to the message and call the number provided for assistance. 
All Parish Life activities have been suspended until further notice.
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Updated Mass Information!
(Revised on May 30, 2020) The parishes in the Diocese of Richmond will begin the ‘Limited Celebration of Public Masses’ on Saturday, May 23, 2020. In the state of Virginia gatherings continue to be limited to 10 people or less. However, per the Governor of Virginia’s Executive Order 61, places of worship may have services up to 50% of the lowest occupancy of the room or facility in which the Mass is celebrated. Our parish will once again celebrate weekend Masses at 5pm on Saturdays and 9am on Sundays. Our diocesan approved available seating with social distancing is 88. Seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Please note that on May 18 our diocese notified all parishes that 'Holy Communion can only be distributed in the space where the priest celebrates the public Mass for those individuals gathered in that space.' Other key points: * Reconciliation is by appointment only. At this time, the diocese does not permit confession to be heard within one hour of Mass time. * All present for the liturgy ages 10 and older must wear face coverings at all times. The mask needs to cover both nose and mouth. Everyone is expected to wear a face covering when coming to Holy Communion. Per our diocese, the parish may not distribute masks as it opens us up to unnecessary liability. * The diocese requires us to keep a record of all who attend each Mass. Attendees will be asked their family name, contact number and the number in their group. * All present are encouraged to use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving church (bring their own personal supply with them) and before receiving Communion. * Those with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to enter the building. * All should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the start of Mass. * Maintain six feet of social distance from others who are not from the same household at all times while in the church or on church property. * Prior to entering the church, all attendees will be asked to review and respond to a series of questions. * Families that want to sit together should arrive together. * Ushers will determine where you will be seated and escort you to your seat(s). * All are asked to refrain from physical contact, such as holding hands during the Our Father and shaking hands during the Sign of Peace. * There will be no socializing before or after Mass. * Bishop Knestout dispenses all of the faithful of the Diocese of Richmond from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days until further notice. * A weekday Mass schedule will resume (Noon, Tuesday through Friday). Those in a vulnerable category (i.e., older adults, those 65 years and older; people who are immunocompromised) who do not wish to be around larger groups of people may wish to attend a weekday Mass. However, the CDC and Governor of Virginia does recommend that those in a vulnerable category remain home. * Livestreaming - Livestreaming of our 9am Sunday Mass will continue for the faithful unable to attend, e.g., those in a vulnerable category. 
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