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
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