Dublin Diocese preparing to re-open Churches

Mass in Church during COVID Pandemic: 1st Phase of Return 1 (Version of May 14, 2020)

These directives are promulgated by the Archbishop of Santa Fe for the early lifting of the suspension of publicly-attended Mass

General:

•   Attendance limited to 10% of building capacity (per fire marshal assessment).
•   Dispensation from Sunday obligation remains for all.
•   Safety/ common good is priority. Coordination with staff will be essential, as will be clear and

  detailed communication to the people.

•   Local pastors can make these directives more stringent as necessitated by local conditions;

  however, they cannot make them less strict.

•   Reopening will be accomplished in phases.
•   The Archbishop/Vicar General will continue to offer live stream/recorded Mass each Sunday and

  weekdays, and parishes are encouraged to do so as well.

•   Social distancing/masks/increased cleaning are mandatory. Each measure presents an

  additional layer of protection, which individually may be insufficient.

•   Cleaning staff should be present to disinfect commonly-touched surfaces after each Mass (pews,

  door handles, rails, etc.) Have on hand ample cleaning supplies, and masks if possible.

•   Persons over 60 and with compromised immune systems should be pre-advised that they are at

  increased risk and be encouraged to remain home.

•   Communicate that these guidelines are for the safety of lives and health for themselves and

  neighbors, and that continued opening depends on everyone’s cooperation.

•   The Archdiocese remains responsive to changes in conditions/requirements, and will revise

  these instructions periodically as necessary.

  In Churches

•   No open holy water present. There may be a dispenser for people to fill bottles if desired.
•   Wipe down commonly-touched items such as pews, chairs, ambos, hand rails, door handles, etc.

  between Masses. Prop open doors if possible.

•   Remove missalettes/hymnals and worship aids; these are vehicles for contamination.
•   Remember that livestreaming music requires a separate license.
•   Restrooms to be disinfected after each liturgy, with disinfecting supplies also available for

  persons utilizing the facilities.

•   Map out seating/give assignments with at least 6 ft distance between families in all directions.

  This may require roping off some pews.

•   Consider reservations/revised capacity, and persons must sit where directed in clearly marked

  designated seats. They may not be able to get their “regular” place. Ushers will be needed to

  direct them.

•   Cry rooms to be closed; inform families beforehand.
•   Those of the same household sit together.

  Individual Responsibility

 Sick/symptomatic stay home, as well as those with health vulnerabilities or weakened immune systems.

Mass in Church during COVID Pandemic: 1st Phase of Return 2 (Version of May 14, 2020)

•   Face masks are required for children age 3 and over. Parents are highly recommended NOT to bring children less than 3 years old. Persons without masks will be turned away until they can obtain one.
•   Let persons know if masks/sanitizer available and that they are required.
•   Persons with allergies who are sneezing/coughing please refrain from attending out of charity to

  others.

  Liturgy/Communion

•   No congregational singing so as to minimize spread of breath droplets. Cantor may sing, and use only one instrumentalist.
•   Consider adding Masses to decrease attendance per Mass and allowing more to attend overall than the restrictions would allow with the normal Mass schedule. Persons should only attend one Mass or Communion service during the week to allow others to attend.
•   Dispensation is given for both Mass AND Sunday Celebration without a Priest to be celebrated in the same parish on the same day, thereby allowing more persons to participate without overtaxing priest celebrants.
•   Only the priest can be unmasked while celebrating the Mass. He should mask when not in a speaking role.
•   Deacons: 1) wears masks; 2) remain at least 6 ft. from the priests; 3) does not attend at the altar; 4) may read the Gospel and preach; 5) may prepare the chalice only if maintaining social distancing from the priest and sanctuary personnel. The priest may wash his hands at the credence table.
•   Do not utilize servers at present.
•   Only minimal personnel in the sanctuary during Mass. Sanctuary seating/standing need adhere

  to social distancing.

•   Use shortest liturgical forms (penitential rite, recitation of Mass parts, provided shorter

  readings, 2nd Eucharistic prayer, etc.) if available for the day, and only very brief homilies (3 minutes max). Decreased time = decreased contamination. The goal is 30-40 minutes for the Mass to minimize exposure/contamination.

•   No handshakes/contact between families. Among family members is okay.
•   Collection: Have a secure container for persons to place offerings rather than passing a basket.

  Encourage maximum utilization of online giving.

•   Liturgy of the Eucharist

o Bread/wine is not to be processed, but come from covered containers from a credence

table in the sanctuary.
o Use palls/covered ciboria/coverings for the hosts throughout the liturgy.

Mass in Church during COVID Pandemic: 1st Phase of Return 3 (Version of May 14, 2020)

o Only priests should receive from the chalice; each priest to have his own chalice if concelebrating.

o Priestsover60yearsoldarestronglyadvisedtonotdistributeCommunionthemselves. o Hosts only for the congregation’s Communion, and only in the hand in order to decrease

possibility of cross-contaminations by: 1) inadvertent touching of saliva; and, 2) breath

droplets transferred to the hand of the minister.
o Per USCCB recommendations, Communion is to be be distributed as people exit the

building.
o All ministers/EM of Holy Communion are to very visibly sanitize hands prior to

distributing. (Gloves/tongs add no more protection than bare hands because each can be cross-contaminated.) A cloth soaked in a non-toxic disinfecting agent (e.g., alcohol) might be used after some number of communicants for extra precaution.

o Priests/deacons/EMHCsmustwearmaskswhiledistributingCommunion.
o EnsureadequatedistancingofEMHCs.
o PlacemarkersorotherwiseenforcesocialdistancingduringHolyCommunion. o No after-Mass assemblies. People should depart immediately after Mass.

 Procedure for Holy Communion:
o Priest(s) receives Communion at the altar as normal. Deacon(s) do not.
o Priest cleanses vessels or lays them aside for cleansing after Mass.
o Very brief announcements, if any.
o Final prayer, blessing and dismissal.
o Priest/deaconsremovechasubles/dalmaticsanddonmasks.
o Priest distributes Communion to deacons/EMHCs. All ministers receive ciboria and

move to their distribution points.
o Ushers dismiss congregation by rows to receive Communion and/or depart.
o ALL communicants should be masked, receive the host in their hand, and stepping aside

prior to lifting mask for consuming, and then exit the building immediately.

 After Mass/Preparation for Mass
o Minimal personnel in sacristy, all with masks and maintaining social distance. o Wash vessels with soap & water.
o Hosts only for congregation, and sufficient wine only for priests.

For Various Rites:

•   Any rites with Mass follow the above guidelines.
•   Baptism water changed each time (bless container of water each baptism and dispose of

  properly; use fresh water each time to avoid cross-contamination).

•   Minister should sanitize hands visibly just before the rite in order to give reassurance to

  attendees.

•   Masks/sanitizer/social distancing should always be used.
•   Outdoor assemblies at cemeteries should be masked and maintain social distancing.