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Coronavirus Response Updates

- Parish Events

(as of May 28, 2021)

Following the guidelines set by the State of Maryland, St. Mary’s County and the Archdiocese of Washington, St. Francis Xavier Church is open for public celebration of liturgies.

St. Francis Xavier Church observes standard hygiene, facility cleaning and social distancing rules. The church is cleaned after every Mass.

The Archdiocese of Washington has updated and revised its guidelines on public Mass attendance and other liturgical celebrations.
1. Masks are no longer required inside and outside the church. However, non-vaccinated individuals are highly encouraged to continue wearing masks. One may still continue to wear masks if he or she chooses to do so. The priests and other ministers of communion are still required to wear mask when we distribute the Body of Christ.
2. The rules on social distancing are relaxed. We are now opening all the pews except the pews on the Blessed Mother statue side. Every other pew on the Blessed Mother statue side is still closed so people who are still not comfortable being too close physically to non-family members can worship in peace.
3. Receiving communion on the tongue is still discouraged by the Bishops, but a person may still do that if he or she wishes to do so.
4. During the sign of peace, we may continue what we have been doing (waving, smiling, nodding) but shaking other people’s hands is still not allowed.
The church is open everyday from 7 am to 5 pm for prayer. In addition, Masses and other sacraments have resumed.

Our Mass schedule is as follows:
- Monday-Friday: 8 am
- Saturday (Vigil Mass): 4 pm
- Sunday: 8 am and 11 am
Although Masses have resumed in person, the weekend Masses are still livestreamed via our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stfrancisxavierchurchmd).

Confessions are heard before the weekend Masses in the church sacristy. The schedule is as follows:
- Saturday, 3:15pm - 3:45pm
- Sunday, 7:15 am – 7:45 am; 10:15 am – 10:45 am
- Or by appointment
Baptisms, Marriage and other sacraments can be arranged with Fr. Ryan.

Office hours are still limited. The office hours are as follows:
- Monday, 9 am – 2 pm
- Wednesday, 9 am – 2 pm
- Thursday, 9 am – 2 pm
Finally, the dispensation issued by Cardinal Gregory from the obligation to attend Mass during this time remains in effect. All persons who are subjects of the Archbishop of Washington no matter where they may be, and all other persons who are actually present in the Archdiocese of Washington who are under the obligation, are dispensed from the obligation until further notice (cann. 87 §1, 91). Please see https://adw.org/coronavirus/ for additional information.