Christmas Masses 2020

Dear Parishioners,

Planning for Christmas Masses in the midst of the pandemic has presented us with the challenge of how we manage attendance safely and equitably for the many that traditionally pack the church during this most wonderful and sacred time of the year.

This year, we will have a few changes on schedule and attendance. Everyone wanting to attend a Christmas Mass at St. Thomas More will need to request to be included in a selection process for seating. Please continue reading for some background and for information on how the process will work.

Historical attendance for Christmas Masses at St. Thomas More is around 6,000 people between the three Christmas Eve Masses and the three Christmas Day Masses. Attendance in 2020 will need to be limited by the requirements of social distancing and safety protocols under COVID-19.


The schedule of Masses this Christmas will be as follows:

Christmas Eve: 3:00PM, 6:00PM, and 9:00PM (Spanish). The 3:00PM and 9:00PM Masses will be livestreamed. Holy Communion will be distributed from 4:30PM to 5:00PM in the St. John Fisher Chapel on the South Campus.

Christmas Day: 12:00AM, 8:00AM, 10:30AM, and 1:00PM (Spanish). The 10:30AM and 1:00PM Masses will be livestreamed. Holy Communion will be distributed from 9:30AM to 10:00AM in the St. John Fisher Chapel on the South Campus.

We will strictly limit capacity at each Mass to 350 people, who will be selected through a drawing process as described below.

Staff and volunteers working at each Mass will be guaranteed up to 4 spots for them and their immediate family at the Mass they are working. These include: Clergy (celebrant, deacons), Liturgical ministers (Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers, Lectors, Cantors, Accompanists), Hospitality ministers (St. Benedict, St. Matthew, St. Michael)


Parishioners wishing to attend Christmas Mass will need to register for the drawing and indicate:

• Name and contact (phone and email)
• Number of people in party (maximum 6, more by exception)
• Masses of interest in order of preference; you can select as many Masses as you would want to be considered for.

The period for registering for a Christmas Mass is open now and will end on Sunday, December 6. Click Here to Register.


The drawing process will work as follows:

• Your name will be entered in a random drawing according to your order of preference. If your name is not selected for your first preference and the Mass has reached the maximum capacity, you will be entered into the drawing for your second preference and so on. 
• Confirmation will be emailed, texted, or mailed the week of December 14 to drawn names and parishioners would be asked to print and bring and/or show confirmation for verification.

Seating on Christmas Eve and Day will start 45 minutes prior to the start of the Mass. Seating will start in the church (250 people) follow in the Friends and Family Hall (70 people) and continue in the meeting rooms (30 people). Ushers will guide the seating process.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding as we navigate the Christmas season at St. Thomas More. Know that you are in our prayers.

Fr. Scott and the staff of St. Thomas More Parish