(Re) Opening of St. Denis
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BISHOP'S PASTORAL LETTER TO THE DIOCESE OF WORCESTER
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Church diagram
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St. Denis Reopens for mass
With the continued lessening of the pandemic, Bishop McManus has given permission for the restoration of choirs and the exchange of the sign of peace, beginning September 1, 2021.
At the same time, due to the continuing spread of COVID-19,pastors are advised to postpone the restoration of the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds and to keep in mind the continuing presence of the COVID-19 variants and the vulnerability of un-vaccinated individuals.
Restoring Choirs
With this issue of Orantes, Bishop McManus has announced that choirs may resume their ministry at parish Masses. At the same time, pastors and Directors of Sacred
Music should consider instituting or maintaining certain practices to assure the health and safety of all.
Size of the Room and Ventilation
Choir members should rehearse in large, well-ventilated spaces and should maintain plenty of space between them during rehearsals. Often, the Church itself might be used
for rehearsals. Stay Home if You are Sick
Choir members should be encouraged to stay home whenever they are sick.
Vaccination Policy and Exemptions Pastors, in consultation with their Directors of Sacred
Music, may choose to limit liturgical musicians and choir members to only vaccinated persons. However, written criteria for considering exemptions for religious or medical
reasons must be made available for to all concerned and should include the requirement that non-vaccinated persons should wear a mask and maintain a six-foot social distance
from others. Should an exemption be given the unvaccinated choir members should be encouraged to wear a mask and the other members of the choir should be informed. This process is best entrusted to the pastor.
Restoring the Sign of Peace
The restoration of the exchange of the Sign of Peace provides us with an opportunity for a renewed catechesis on the meaning and practice of this rite. Following the Lord’s Prayer is the Rite of Peace, “by which the Church entreats peace and unity for herself and for the
whole human family, and the faithful express to each other their ecclesial communion and mutual charity before communicating in the Sacrament.”. The rite begins with one of the few prayers by the priest which is addressed directly to the Lord Jesus. This brief prayer recalls the Lord’s gift of peace to his Apostles and then, in one of the few Mass prayers directed to the Lord Jesus, asks Christ to “look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.”
The rubrics then instruct the Priest to turn towards the people and, while “extending and then joining his hands,” add: “The peace of the Lord be with you always.” The people reply “And with your spirit.” The rubrics continue: “Then, if appropriate, the Deacon, or the Priest, adds: “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.” The action which follows is described as an expression of “peace, communion, and charity” offered by the Priest to the Deacon or minister and by all present to each other.Prior to Arriving
- Please wash your hands thoroughly before leaving for church.
- Face coverings or masks are required in the parking lot and during Mass. Please note that for children between ages 2 and 5, the wearing of a face covering or mask is at the discretion of the child’s parent. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a face covering or mask. Places of worship may refuse entry to a person who refuses to wear a face covering or mask for non-medical reasons.
Revised Pandemic Practices
On May 29, 2021, Governor Baker rescinded the face covering and gathering limits previously issued to mitigatethe spread of COVID-19. Governor Baker also lifted all
restriction on industry, including sector specific standards for places of worship. While face-covering requirements for public and private transportation systems and facilities
housing vulnerable populations remain, all other pandemic specific restrictions have been lifted. At the same time, the Governor endorses the CDC guidance for masking and social distancing, which requires that unvaccinated individuals continue to mask and observe
social distancing. Bishop McManus has, therefore, approved the following modifications to the liturgical practices of the Diocese of Worcester, effective immediately. The revised precautions presume that Priests have been fully vaccinated. Without immunity from vaccination, the priest should continue prior precautions of masking, social distancing and other liturgical precautions.Gatherings in Church
With the lifting of occupancy restrictions, parishes may return to full occupancy of churches and chapels, provided that sufficient ventilation is maintained. Most tape and
signage promoting social distancing may be removed from pews and other seating.
At the same time, because the CDC advises that unvaccinated persons should still maintain a six foot social distance and wear a mask, pastors are encouraged to reserve a portion of the Church for those wishing to maintain a social distance. Churches should continue to
provide hand sanitizer at all entrances.
The cleaning of commonly touched surfaces may be reduced to once a week. However, in those instances where a special section has been set aside for unvaccinated people, the sanitizing of pews between Masses is recommended.
Cleaning in our Church will be done Wednesdays after Mass and Sundays after the 10:15 am. Mass. This is a part from the cleaning made by the Custodian on weekly basis.Gatherings in Non-liturgical Spaces
All limitations concerning the size of gatherings in nonliturgical spaces have also been lifted. Pastors are encouraged, however, to see that such spaces are regularly cleaned and well ventilated. Smaller Chapels may be reopened, providing that they are well ventilated and cleaned on a regular basis.
Masks and Social Distancing
Masks and social distancing are no longer required of all parishioners. However, per CDC guidelines, nonvaccinated persons, including minors, are still encouragedto wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Fonts and Worship Aides
Standing Holy Water fonts may be re-introduced. Hymnals and Missalettes may, once again, be used. However, it is recommended that multi-use worship aids be cleaned on a regular basis.
Processions and the Sign of Peace
Entrance, Recessional and Offertory processions may be restored, along with the passing of collection baskets. The reintroduction of the exchange of the Sign of Peace should be delayed until the number of COVID-19 cases have fallen to a lower level.
The Distribution of Holy Communion
Holy Communion may be distributed in the customary, prepandemic manner. Because a certain portion of thecongregation may remain unvaccinated, however, pastors are advised to delay the re-institution of distribution of the Precious Blood until the number of COVID-19 cases havefallen to a lower level.
Communion Vessels should continue to be thoroughly washed after each Mass once they have been purified.The Sacrament of Penance
The use of traditional confessionals and “rooms of reconciliation” may be resumed, provided that the priest has been vaccinated. Penitents should be invited to wear masks for the immediate future. Every effort should be made to assure that such spaces are regularly sanitized and well ventilated.
Anointing of the Sick
No special precautions are required when visiting the sick, provided that the priest has been vaccinated. Masks will continue to be required in Health Care facilities, even for
the celebration of Mass.Baptisms and Weddings
No special precautions are required at Baptisms and Weddings, provided that the priest has been vaccinated.
St. Denis Church has been careful to observe the guidelines issued by the State of Massachusetts and the Bishop of Worcester in the interest of the public health.