Church of the Good Shepherd - Smithfield Virginia
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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 
Pope Francis' Prayer to Virgin Mary for Protection from COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic can be found by clicking on the picture above and you will find the prayer toward the bottom of the page.
Updated Face Mask Information
(As of May 28, 2020) Those children who are 10 years of age and under are not required to wear a face mask during Mass. However, everyone who is receiving communion must wear a face mask. 
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 Reconciliation: By appointment. 
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: 
After participating in Mass via media 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. 
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. |
IMPORTANT UPDATE
REGARDING COVID-19 (updated July 28, 2020) Although Governor Northam issued Executive Order 68 which imposes additional restrictions on the eastern region of the Commonwealth of Virginia due to the pandemic, Good Shepherd is not one of the parishes affected by these changes in gatherings. This restriction does not apply to liturgical celebrations, including public Mass. We will be proceeding with the guidelines that have been previously put in place for a safe gathering space. If you have any questions, please contact the parish office. See you in the pews! 
Mass Information
(Revised on July 11, 2020) The parishes in the Diocese of Richmond began the ‘Limited Celebration of Public Masses’ on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Our parish celebrates weekend Masses at 5pm on Saturdays and 9am on Sundays. Our six foot apart social distanced seating is available on a first come, first served basis. We have not yet turned anyone away from lack of seating! Key points: * 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. * Attendees will be asked their family name, contact number (for visitors) or updated email address (for parishioners) and the number in their group. * Please notify the parish if you test positive for COVID-19 and have been on site in the past 14 days. Your identity will remain confidential. * If an individual has been on-site in the past 14 days and has tested positive for COVID-19, it will be posted to the parish website for 3 days, a notification will be sent via email to parishioners with valid email addresses, and visitors will be contacted by phone. * Prior to entering the church, all attendees will be asked to review and respond to the following questions: Do you or anyone in your household have a new cough or new shortness of breath? In the past two (2) weeks, have you or anyone in your household had a fever? In the past two (2) weeks, have you been exposed - less than six (6) feet for greater than 15 minutes - to anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 without wearing the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? If you cannot answer 'no' to all of these questions then stay home and watch the 9AM Sunday livestream. * All present are encouraged to use hand sanitizer when entering and leaving church (bring their own personal supply with them) and before receiving Communion. * 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. * Our weekday Mass schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at noon. 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. * 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. * Reconciliation is by appointment only. At this time, the diocese does not permit confession to be heard within one hour of Mass time. 
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