LIFTING OF PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS

 NEW GUIDELINES FOR PARISHES FOLLOWING THE LIFTING OF PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS

As has already been announced, if you have been fully vaccinated you are not required or expected to wear a face mask or covering while attending Mass or participating in any parish activity.  The Office of Worship of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia advises but does not mandate those who are not vaccinated to continue to wear a mask.  Please be respectful of a person’s choice to wear or not to wear a mask.

Social distancing is no longer necessary.  Apart from the school, our buildings are at 100% capacity.

The Archbishop has not yet reimposed the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation.  However, everyone who is healthy is encouraged to consider returning to Mass in person if they have not yet done so.  The benefits of in-person worship far outweigh other options for Sunday worship.  Consider the words of St. John Chrysostom: 

You cannot pray at home as at church, where there is a great multitude, where exclamations are cried out to God as from one great heart, and where there is something more: the union of minds, the accord of souls, the bond of charity, the prayers of the priests.

We should keep in mind that the Third Commandment – “Keep holy the sabbath day” – is a divine mandate and cannot be dispensed, even by a Pope.  It has always been the case that poor health or grave circumstances could prevent someone from attending Mass without incurring sin.  However, everyone is always obligated to sanctify Sunday in a way they are able.  “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are to refrain from engaging in work or activities that hinder the worship owed to God, the joy proper to the Lord’s Day, the performance of works of mercy, and the appropriate relaxation of mind and body…Christians will also sanctify Sunday by devoting time and care to their families and relatives, often difficult to do on other days of the week.  Sunday is a time for reflection, silence, cultivation of the mind, and meditation which furthers the growth of the Christian interior life” (Catechism of the Catholic Church #2185-2186).

Anyone who cannot attend in person is encouraged to participate in Mass via live stream.  The Vatican has emphasized that there is more spiritual benefit from participating in the liturgy as it is happening rather than watching a recording.

The Sign of Peace, which by decision of the U.S. bishops is symbolized by a handshake, has always been optional.  Priests of the Archdiocese have been told to omit the option until further notice.  It has been noted that gestures other than a handshake, such as the waving of hands, cannot take its place. 

The Office for Divine Worship reports that no investigations by contact tracing have discovered an incident of transmission of the virus during the Communion rite.  Anyone wearing a mask should remove it before receiving Holy Communion.  Also, “The faithful are free to receive Holy Communion in the hand or on the tongue without stigma.  There is no need for the Communion minister or the Communicant to sanitize during the distribution and reception of Holy Communion.”  Hands will be sanitized before distributing Holy Communion, as was done before the pandemic.  It is no longer requested of those who receive on the tongue to receive only from the Pastor.      

Beginning next week, we will return to four Communion stations at the front of the church; two lines in the center aisle and one on the side aisles.  As always, Communion will be brought to those in the back of the church who are not fully ambulatory.  However, the extraordinary minister will not wear a mask. Unfortunately, the Communion chalice cannot be offered until further notice from the Archdiocese. 

You may read the directives of the Archdiocese on its website at archphila.org/arise.

Separate guidelines from the Pennsylvania Department of Education apply to ABVM School.  Please note that even after the lifting of restrictions the classrooms will continue to be used only by school students and teachers.  However, the Parish Center – also known as the gym – will be open for CYO sports and other activities after the current school year has ended.

We have been blessed to have our churches open during most of the pandemic.  Thank you for your patience and compliance with the guidelines as they have changed during this crazy time!

 

FATHER SCOTT