I.
The
dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for all the faithful of
the Diocese of Covington is extended until further notice. Additionally, those
who are sick should refrain from coming to church for fourteen (14) days from
when they first began to experience symptoms.
II.
Eucharist
1.
Beginning
20 May, 2020, public celebration of the Eucharist will resume. The first
weekend Mass will be 23/24 May, 2020.
2.
At
this time, no additional Masses are to be added.
3.
The
following precautions are to be observed:
Before
Mass
·
Parishioners
are to sit six feet apart, with an exception made for members of the same
household.
Ø Seating
in the churches will be limited to allow for this social distancing. Every
other pew will be blocked off to ensure six feet distancing in every direction.
Ø All
open pews will have markers every six feet to assist parishioners in spacing
themselves within the pews.
Ø Once
pastors determine the seating capacity, efforts should be made to inform the
parishioners of the new restrictions in order to limit the number attending a
single liturgy.
·
Parishioners
should be encouraged to wear face coverings.
·
Pews,
ambos, door handles, railings (indoor and outdoor), and bathrooms are to be
wiped down after every Mass. Pastors should consider recruiting volunteers to
help with this process. Only one person at a time should be allowed in the
bathroom.
·
Everything
is to be removed from the pews including but not limited to hymnals,
missalettes, response cards, guest envelopes, etc. Parishes might consider
using disposable worship aids.
·
Ministers:
Ø Only
one lector is to be used at each Mass.
Ø If
servers are to be utilized they are required to wear white gloves and face
masks. All server vesture (including gloves) is to be washed weekly.
Ø Extraordinary
Ministers of Holy Communion are limited to two (2) only for each Mass.
Ø Sacristans
should wash/sanitize their hands before and after setting up for Mass and
should also wear face coverings during that time.
Ø Ushers/Greeters
are to wear face coverings.
·
Musicians
Ø Organist/pianist
are to sanitize their instrument after every liturgy.
Ø All
microphones should also be sanitized after each Mass.
Ø A
single cantor is permitted in addition to the organist/pianist.
Ø Choirs
are not to gather and sing together.
Ø Singing
during Mass creates a higher risk of spreading infectious particles.
Alternatives to congregational singing such as instrumental music or antiphonal
singing should be considered.
·
Consider
having volunteers hold the doors open for parishioners or propping doors as
parishioners enter the church to reduce the touching of door handles.
·
Holy
water fonts are not to be used and baptismal fonts are to be covered.
During
Mass
·
Processions
should be avoided to maintain safe, social distancing. If possible, the
ministers should enter the sanctuary via the sacristy.
·
Consider
other methods for the collection if you pass a basket from one person to
another. Note: maintain all security protocols as it relates to the collection.
·
There
is to be no procession of the gifts (offertory procession).
·
The
Sign of Peace is to be omitted.
·
Distribution
of Holy Communion
Ø Only
the priest(s), vested deacon(s) and two Extraordinary Ministers of Holy
Communion may distribute Holy Communion.
Ø They
must wear face masks and sanitize their hands before and after the distribution
of Holy Communion.
Ø When
there is more than one minister of communion, bread is to be separated into
separate ciboria prior to Mass.
Ø Distribution
of the Precious Blood to the faithful is to be omitted. Note: When
concelebration occurs, priests and deacons should receive via intinction.
Ø Place
markers in aisles six feet apart to facilitate safe, social distancing in the
communion procession.
Ø One
way communion lines should be utilized; for example, distribution could occur
in side aisles rather than the center aisle.
Ø Communion
is to be received by the faithful in the hand and standing.
Ø It
is the decision of the pastor whether or not to allow reception of Communion on
the tongue. If this practice is allowed the person distributing Holy
Communion must sanitize his/her hands after distributing to each individual
communicant.
Ø Those
with gluten intolerance should make arrangements with the pastor.
After
Mass
·
Consider
having volunteers hold the doors open for parishioners or propping doors as
parishioners leave the church to reduce the touching of door handles
·
The
priest and deacon should not greet the people for the safety and wellbeing of
both the clergy and the people.
·
Until
Further Notice, ancillary gatherings connected to Mass are suspended; for
example, Children’s Liturgy of the Word or coffee and donuts following Mass.
III.
Weddings,
Funerals, and Baptisms
1.
Beginning
on 20 May, 2020, public weddings, funerals, and baptisms are permitted.
2.
The
above guidelines must be followed.
IV.
Reception
of Catechumens and Candidates Into the Church
1.
Depending
on the number of candidates, pastors should receive the candidates and
catechumens at a Mass distinct from the scheduled liturgies in order to reduce
the number of people in the church.
2.
The
above guidelines must be followed.
V.
Anointing
of the Sick
1.
Priests
are to follow current guidelines as it relates to the Anointing of the Sick.
2.
As
a reminder, priests are permitted to use an instrument, such as a cotton ball
or a cotton-swab, for the actual anointing.
VI.
Sacrament
of Reconciliation
1.
Regularly
scheduled confessions can resume.
2.
Lines
for confessionals should have markers on the ground every six feet to encourage
safe, social distancing.
3.
Both
the penitent and the confessor should wear masks.
4.
Pastors
are to take every possible precaution to ensure that the sacrament is
celebrated safely, for example, removing kneelers and offering a chair without
arms, offering a means for the penitent to sanitize the kneeler before and
after confession, or offering sanitizer for those entering and exiting the
confessional.
VII.
Other
liturgies and devotions are permitted but are required to follow the above
guidelines.
