Dear Saint Mary Friends,
(Yes, we are re-opening more and more, thank the Lord! Please take the time to read the following excerpts from a memo Bishop Caggiano sent to all pastors earlier this week. It details amended protocols for Mass beginning this Pentecost Weekend.)
As you are aware, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has loosened mask-wearing guidance for those who are fully vaccinated. The CDC is still recommending wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, specifically buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but fully-vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, “except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.”
In response to this change in guidance, Governor Lamont has announced that vaccinated residents of Connecticut are no longer required to wear masks indoors after May 19th, 2021. As a result, I ask that you inform your people of the following changes:
1. For those who are fully vaccinated, they are no longer required to wear a mask to attend Mass or any other liturgical or social function held on parish property.
2. In an abundance of safety, pastors are encouraged to remind those who are fully vaccinated that they are free and welcome to continue to wear masks if they choose to do so.
3. All those not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks when attending Mass or any other liturgical or social function held on parish property. While there is no way for us to enforce this requirement, please remind your parishioners that this obligation, borne from our commitment to protect human life, transcends the mandate of the state. It flows from our very belief in the Lord of life, who commands us to protect, defend and respect all human life, from natural conception to natural death.
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(Bishop Caggiano then included more specifics regarding the protocols for Mass and the Sacraments.)
Updated Guidelines for Mass
a. People are on an honor system. Checking vaccinations records are not required.
b. Social distancing is not required on church property inside or outside.
c. No Mass registration systems are required. All pews are available for seating.
d. At least one weekend Mass should be livestreamed.
e. Holy Water fonts remain empty.
f. There are no additional restrictions beyond what the state mandates.
g. No restrictions on the use of Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion.
h. Masks are not required in the sanctuary except for those not vaccinated.
i. The celebrant is not required to wear a mask.
j. Collection baskets are allowed by ushers (but not passed from parishioner to parishioner).
k. The exchange of the sign of peace is optional. If parishioners exchange the sign of peace, then the sign of peace must be a non-contact gesture (bow).
l. Social distancing is not required for Communion lines.
m. Two Communion lines in the center aisle are permitted.
n. For those wearing masks, they should be removed just before receiving Holy Communion and then put back on after receiving.
o. Masks are required for everyone distributing Holy Communion.
p. Communion is only given under one species – consecrated.
Procedures for other liturgical and sacramental celebrations
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Masks are required for those who are not vaccinated. Social distancing is not required.
Please note: There will be no change in Confession protocols at St. Mary’s until May 29th. Details will follow next week.
Weddings and Funerals
The same guidelines above for Mass apply to weddings and funerals.
The bride and groom are not required to wear masks.
Adoration Chapel
The same guidelines above for Mass apply to the Chapel: No distancing, masks need not be worn by the fully vaccinated. Others must wear masks.
Additional seats will be added to the Adoration Chapel.
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Thank you everyone, for being attentive to these matters from our bishop. Please keep praying that we not only fully return to Mass, the sacraments, and Parish events, but that we also return as a people with more Faith, Hope, and Charity than we had before the pandemic.
Health and blessings,
