Diocesan COVID guidelines updated

 

(Observer photo/Amanda Hudson)

By Penny Wiegert | Editor

DIOCESE—Bishop David Malloy announced in a letter to all priests Oct. 8 a list of changes to the “Back in His Presence” guidelines issued in June of this year. The guidelines are part of the ongoing efforts to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus among the faithful as they live out their Catholic faith.

Bishop Malloy said in his letter that modifications to the original protocols are being made periodically “based in the experience that we gain as we live through this pandemic.”

After consultations with the deans and with the Presbyteral Council, the following modifications have been made to “Back in His Presence.” These changes were made effective for Masses beginning Oct. 10-11.

Use of the mask by lectors at the ambo

At the discretion of the pastor or parochial administrator, lectors and other ministers at the ambo are permitted to remove their face mask for reading proclamation purposes.

The deacon and priest may also do so at the ambo for the Gospel and homily. Masks shall continue to be worn by priests at all times when at the altar and while at the presider chair.

Bishop David Malloy (in photo) delivered a recent homily without his mask but others in the church wore theirs as recommended.

Reception of holy Communion on the tongue

Reception of the Eucharist on the tongue is now permitted under specific protocols at Mass and at Communion services at all parishes.

While the faithful are strongly encouraged to receive holy Communion in the hand during this coronavirus outbreak, pastors and parochial administrators may make arrangements for reception of the Sacrament on the tongue using one of the following options:

1) A separate line must be provided for those faithful who wish to receive holy Communion on the tongue; or

2) Those faithful who wish to receive holy Communion on the tongue do so after all other faithful have received in the hand; or

3) The faithful who wish to receive holy Communion on the tongue do so at the end of Mass.

Whichever option is chosen by the pastor or parochial administrator, there should be separate reception of holy Communion for those receiving in the hand and for those receiving on the tongue.

When reception on the tongue is done, because of the proximity of the minister’s hand to the mouth of the communicant, the minister must sanitize his hand between each communicant’s reception.

Whether a pastor or parochial administrator allows this form of receiving Communion shall be a decision within his discretion.

If a pastor/parochial administrator because of the pandemic or his own personal health does not feel comfortable implementing this form of receiving holy Communion, he has the authority to decline to implement it in his parish.

Similarly, a parochial vicar should not be required to administer holy Communion on the tongue if he feels uncomfortable or has personal health concerns.

All other protocols regarding masks, social distancing, traffic flow regulations, recording of attendance, capacity requirements and sanitation are still in force as outlined in the “Back in His Presence” documents.

Additional new guidelines cover extraordinary eucharistic ministers, gathers beyond the essential and sacramental with and without food, and charitable events.

Find more details at the diocesan website at at https://www.rockforddiocese.org/.
Read more at http://observertoo.rockforddiocese.org/

If you have questions or need assistance in this process please direct your inquiries to reopen@rockforddiocese.org.