Today, July 29, 2020, Governor Newsom has announced that San Mateo County, the only Bay Area County not previously on the watch list, was placed on the COVID-19 Watch List for monitoring for a three day period. This could mean additional closures after a three day period.

The three-day clock begins today, which means additional restrictions would take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1. County officials believe that the local case rate will not decrease by Saturday and urge businesses and the community to prepare now for the additional restrictions.

According to state guidelines, the following industries or activities must shut down, unless they can be modified to operate outside or by pick-up:

• Gyms and fitness centers
• Places of worship and cultural ceremonies, like weddings and funerals
• Offices for non-critical infrastructure sectors
• Personal care services, like nail salons and body waxing
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Shopping malls

Please watch your email closely over the next couple of days. If these closures go into effect, St. Matthias will live stream the Saturday 5:00 pm Mass on YouTube, and St. Charles will live stream the Sunday 8:30 am Mass on Facebook. Masses will once again be closed to the public with only the minimum number of ministers present.

Read the full order from the County of San Mateo County Manager’s Office. 

As of July 17, San Mateo County has NOT been placed on the State of California watch list which means that St. Matthias Church can continue to celebrate Masses with the faithful present. We will continue to celebrate two Masses each weekend; Saturday 5:00 pm and Sunday 10:30 am. Our 10:30 am Mass will be live streamed to YouTube for those who are medically vulnerable or are not comfortable attending Masses in person just yet. Please check this page frequently for up to date St. Matthias news.

We are happy to see our parishioners as they return to Church for Mass. Many are still apprehensive about attending and that is totally understandable. We continue to closely monitor the San Mateo County public health notices and take direction from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Our health and safety protocols are working and parishioners feel safe attending Mass. Some might be wondering what to expect when you return — here’s an idea:

A member of the staff (usually Lisa and Sabrina) will greet you at one of the double doors. We will ensure that you are wearing a mask (masks are required throughout Mass, except when you receive Communion) and that you have completed the Informed Consent Form (one-time only). There is a collection basket by both entrances for parishioners to drop off their donations. We will assign you and your family members a pew. All the pews are numbered and we have a map to demonstrate which pews are open and closed. In order to maintain the required 6 feet of physical distancing between households, every other pew has been closed off. There are signs on the pews — white signs indicate and open pew and the number of people that can accommodated, red signs indicate that the pew is closed.

Per San Mateo County Public Health Guidelines issued on July 1, 2020, singing is no longer allowed. All music will be instrumental. Our priest, deacon and 2 Eucharistic Ministers will bring Communion to you. As they approach you, lower your mask to receive Jesus’ Body. Then replace your mask.

Following Communion, the doors are opened and people are invited to exit the building so that our cleaning protocols can begin. We wipe down bathroom surfaces, door and window handles, pew backs, altar area, ambo area, collection table and music area in preparation for the next Mass.

Although it’s not quite “normal” it feels good to be back in the space with the community.

– Sabrina