Updated Friday, September 18, 2020

Celebration of Sunday and Weekday Eucharist

• The Sunday Mass obligation continues to be dispensed for all.
• The “allowable occupancy level “is currently is 50% but social distancing should remain at 6 feet. Churches will maintain the 6-foot spacing between individual or family household groups in the Church. Church buildings are to be marked to indicate the required social distancing for seating sections.
• Those attending Mass are expected to wear masks and should be instructed to do so. Children under the age of three are exempt from this requirement.
• Distribution of Communion is to be under the species of bread alone. The faithful are to be invited to receive communion on the hand.  The faithful are also encouraged not to come forward to receive Holy Communion wearing gloves.
• There is to be no exchange of the physical sign of peace and the spontaneous gesture of handholding is to be omitted during the Our Father.
• At the conclusion of Mass, the same norms of distancing are to be observed by clergy and parishioners.
• Singing without the use of hymnals is allowed as long as the congregation is masked. One time use of printed music sheets is allowed as long as copyright issues are observed. Choirs are not allowed during Phase II. Cantor(s) are allowed.
• Priests, deacons and other ministers of Holy Communion will wear masks for the distribution of Holy Communion. They are to simply sanitize their hands before and after the distribution of Communions.
• Holy Water fonts should be drained. Fresh, clean water is to be used for each baptism.
• Pastors and their staffs are to appropriately clean/sanitize church buildings after each celebration of the sacraments.

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Regularly scheduled opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation within the Church building can resume if masks are worn by both priest and penitent, and proper 6ft distancing can be maintained for all in the confessional and while waiting in any line.

Marriages & Funerals

Marriages and Funeral Masses and other Sacramental events may resume with more than ten participants as long social distancing will be respected, 50% occupancy is maintained and masks are worn especially when meeting indoors. Parishes should still not allow wakes and receptions (funeral or wedding) because of the difficulty of ensuring that proper distancing will be practiced. There should be no preparation or serving of food to a large group as well.

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults

The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults envisions circumstances when the celebration of initiation at the Easter Vigil might not take place (26-30). The following provisions are to be adopted by pastors for those whose initiation was scheduled for Easter of 2020:

• As one Scrutiny was already celebrated before the celebration of public Masses ceased, pastors are dispensed from celebrating the second and third scrutinies;
• The Sacraments of Christian Initiation for the Elect and the Reception into Full Communion for Candidates may take place on any Sunday during the Easter Season or in Ordinary Time; the Mass of the day should be celebrated. Indeed, if pastoral circumstances warrant it, Initiation can take place at daily Mass so long as other members of the faithful are present;
• Due to the large numbers of the Elect and Candidates in many parishes, multiple celebrations of Christian Initiation might be necessary to accommodate the faithful and their families given building capacity regulations;
• The Rites of Initiation are to be celebrated in their entirety (see RCIA 220 and following). It is not permitted to separate the Sacraments of Initiation for those being fully initiated;

Confirmation of Baptized Catholics

While the Bishop is the ordinary minister of confirmation, due to scheduling circumstances and cancellations of planned celebrations resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, a general delegation of the faculty to confirm has been extended to all pastors and parish administrators to confirm previously baptized adult Catholics and those younger whose confirmation this year has been postponed because of the current pandemic. Pastors cannot sub-delegate this faculty, and the general delegation of this faculty expires on November 22, 2020, the Feast of Christ the King.  Pastors should forward to the office of the Bishop the dates and times at which confirmation is planned through August 31. 

First Holy Communion

Pastors are to reschedule, at their discretion, a celebration of First Communion for their parishioners. They are temporarily prohibited during from offering communicants communion from the chalice.

Communal Anointing of the Sick

During Phase II, the communal celebration of the Anointing of the Sick is not to be done. Individual anointing’s are to be done, following the required prudent guidance for the safety and health of both the person being anointed and the priest.  This is particularly true if the patient has COVID -19.

Vicars are to consult their pastor before anointing a person with COVID-19. Priest Pastors may consult the Chancery if needed regarding questions arising concerning the anointing of a COVID-19 patient.

Exposition and Adoration

Parishes may resume the Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at regularly scheduled time during the week if it can be ensured that social distancing will be respected, masks are worn by those attending during any times of speaking or singing. The facility is to be cleaned/sanitized after Exposition/ Adoration is completed.
Some parishes provide Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the day with parishioners signing up for certain times. This can resume if it can be ensured that social distancing will be respected, masks are worn by those entering and leaving the space. A facial mask can be lowered when alone in the chapel. The area where each person spent time in Adoration must be cleaned/ sanitized after that person departs and before another person arrives.

Holy Communion to the Homebound

Parishes may resume bringing Holy Communion to the homebound if the following are strictly observed:
The homebound person asks for the reception of Holy Communion. The priest/ deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion remains masked and outside of the person’s home, e.g. at the front door. Remaining outside, the Minister prays with the person [ e.g. the Our Father], places the Blessed Sacrament on the hand of the communicant, closes with a brief closing prayer and leaves. The focus is to provide the Eucharist with as least intrusion into the interior of the person’s home as possible. This is for the safety of the communicant and minister.

Holy Communion to a Person in a Nursing Home /Retirement Home

Priests, Deacons and Laity are to follow the instructions of each Nursing Home or Retirement Facility regarding visitors before anyone can be brought Holy Communion. It is not recommended that Holy Communion be brought to someone living in a Nursing Home or Retirement Facility.

Anointing COVID-19  patients at hospital, nursing home, hospice or residence:

Parochial vicars need to consult with his pastor before anointing a Covid-19 patient and the pastor can in turn consult with Chancery if needed.
 
1. A priest must wear as much PPE as possible, particularly a mask and gloves. (Note: generally, hospitals may not allow the wearing of  gloves when entering the hospital but the hospital will provide gloves before entering the ward or patient room). 
2. The prayers for the person are to be said outside of the room or patient ward to minimize length of exposure to the patient.
3. Anointing can be performed with use of Q-tip or cotton ball. 
4. Strict handwashing is to be observed.
5. The priest is to be mindful that associating with the family (or anyone else at the hospital, etc.) poses a risk. If pastoral care is necessary, wear a mask and practice social distancing (6 feet, minimum). When possible, provide pastoral care by phone.
 

Parish Meetings

Some parish ministry meetings may be held if it can be ensured that social distancing will be respected, and masks are worn especially when meeting indoors and occupancy numbers are enforced. No food or drink is to be prepared or shared before, during and after the meeting. The facility is to be cleaned/sanitized after the meeting.

During Phase II, Parish ministry groups may not prepare and sell food to parishioners or the general public as a fundraiser. This would include Catholic Schools, fraternal and sororal groups that operate within a parish.

Parish Fairs

During Phase II, Parish Fairs are not to be held as these depend on large gatherings of people, and the sharing of food and drink.