Covid

Updated March 4, 2022
As you may have heard, last week Bishop Zinkula lifted all remaining liturgical restrictions associated with COVID-19!  Since we have been living with these restrictions for the past two years, it is going to take us some time to figure out what “normal” is supposed to look like, so I ask for your patience.  Here are some of the changes we are implementing first:

• Holy Communion will now be distributed from the front of the Church
• Masks are no longer required for those distributing Holy Communion
• Holy Water is available in the stoups at the entrances to the Church
• In addition to the antiphons, responsorial Psalm, and Mass parts, the congregation is now invited (and encouraged!) to sing the hymns as well
• The sign of peace may be exchanged in the traditional way, provided you and the people around you are comfrotable with this
• A section of the church will continue to be reserved in which every-other-pew has been roped off. We are making this space available for those who would feel more comfortable with a little extra room. We do expect that anyone who sits in this section, whether or not they have been vaccinated, will wear a facemask.

In addition, Bishop Zinkula has lifted the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.  A couple of thoughts on this… 
First of all, as Catholics, attending Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of obligation is our great privilege, as well as our obligation.  The Lord wants us to be here because we desire to worship Him, not just because we feel obligated.  That said, the Sunday obligation has been a part of our tradition for so long because coming to Mass is so very important.  The Holy Eucharist is at that heart of what it means to be Catholic!  Practically speaking, the lifting of the obligation means that, once again, all Catholics who are able are obliged to attend Mass on Sunday (or Saturday evening) and on Holy Days of obligation.  It should be noted, however, that anyone who is legitimately prevented form attending Mass (by illness, age, a serious medical condition, the need to care for someone who is ill, or any other grave reason) is dispensed from this obligation by the law itself.  To quote Bishop Zinkula, please “use your common sense,” if you need to be excused from this obligation. 

Every Blessing,
Fr. Chris