With the lifting of most pandemic restrictions this week, Bishop McManus has announced the restoration of the obligation to take part in Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, effective Sunday, June 6, 2021. 

Bishop McManus has also modified those adaptions of liturgical practices which we have been observing for the past year in mitigation of the virus.

Beginning on Saturday, May 29th, masks and social distancing are no longer required for parishioners.  However, per CDC guidelines, non-vaccinated persons are still encouraged to wear masks and maintain social distancing. A section of the pews in church will continue to be set aside for those persons who wish to maintain social distancing. (These will be on the right side of the church, towards the front, “roped off” as they have been for the past months.)

A greater amount of singing may now be restored to the liturgy, although choirs will not return until the end of summer.

Processions will also be restored. The distribution of Holy Communion will return to its pre-Covid form, although the distribution of the Precious Blood will be restored in the fall. The Sign of Peace will not be restored until the fall.

We will resume the use of the Reconciliation Chapel for the Sacrament of Penance on Saturday June 5th. The limitations of the size of parish gatherings in non-liturgical spaces has also been lifted.

All this will take some time to get used to. Please be assured that we will continue to monitor the number of cases as we proceed to a “new normal.” We thank all those here and throughout the diocese who have kept our parishes such “safe” places throughout this challenging time. We pray that the success we have so far enjoyed in quelling the pandemic may continue throughout the summer and the months to come.

Father Steven LaBaire