Dear Parish Family,
We have recently received guidelines from our Diocese to help us transition into a full reopening of our churches. The guidelines incorporate liturgical principles and the most current scientific guidance to ensure the safety of our people. These guidelines will begin on the weekend of May 22nd and 23rd. Below is a summary of the document. To read the entire text or read the letter from the four Connecticut Bishops, please click HERE.
Sunday Obligation:
The general dispensation from attendance at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation will be ended as of Sunday May 23rd. If, however, because of health or age you are unable to attend Mass please continue to stay home and access our live stream Masses. The Bishops letter states: “the obligation to gather in person and attend Sunday Mass should never be understood simply as an observance of a legal requirement. Instead, it is the Church’s expression of the deep, personal desire that burns in our hearts to come into the presence of the Lord whom we love, who gave His life for our salvation so that we may receive Him as food for our life’s journey unto eternal glory.”
General Guidelines:
- Masks are required to be worn by the faithful while inside the church and any church building.
- No social distancing will be required within the church.
- The recommendation from the diocese is that we have all pews available for seating – at Blessed Sacrament Parish we will begin by keeping an area in each of our Churches “every other pew” seating.
- You will no longer have to register for any of our Masses.
- Our Masses will continue to be livestreamed on the published schedule.
- Holy Water Fonts will be filled and restored to use.
- The Church halls may be scheduled for parish meetings.
Liturgical Guidelines for the Celebration of Mass
- These guidelines pertain more to the celebrant, music directors and those involved in the liturgy so only two points will be highlighted.
- The entrance, offertory, and recessional processions are permitted
- The exchange of the sign of peace remains suspended.
Procedures for the Distribution of Holy Communion
- Holy Communion is to be given only under one species – consecrated Hosts.
- Social distancing is not required for Communion lines.
- The faithful are to be reminded that masks are to be removed immediately before receiving Holy Communion and then replaced immediately after receiving.
- Those distributing Holy Communion must wear a mask.
- Hands should be sanitized before distributing Holy Communion and after the final person receives.
- Sanitizing fingers between communicants is required whenever contact is made with a communicant.
- The use of any plexiglass barriers is to be discontinued.
- The faithful may choose to receive either in the hand or on the tongue.
- The Celebrant’s chalice must not be shared.