Our Lady Mother of the Church

Capacity

• All capacity restrictions are lifted.
• Masses, liturgies, sacramental celebrations, parish/school events and all offices may resume 100% capacity. 

Physical Distancing

• Physical distancing is NOT required for vaccinated persons. 
• Physical distancing is recommended by public health authorities, when possible, for unvaccinated persons if conditions allow up to 6 ft. of separation.

Masks 

• Masks are NOT required for vaccinated persons.
• Masks are recommended by public health authorities for unvaccinated indoors, particularly in crowded venues. 

Hand Sanitizing

• Hand sanitizer should remain prominently available in churches, schools and offices.

Masses and Liturgies

• All forms of sacramental and liturgical ministry may resume normal practice with a few minor exceptions.
• Registration is no longer required.
• Proof of vaccination is not required for attendance at any liturgies or services.
• Holy Water fonts may be filled and used.
• Ushers may resume their pre-pandemic routine; registration greeters can be re-directed to support the hospitality team in welcoming everyone returning to in-person worship and into the parish community.
• Choirs, congregational signing, oral responses, use of worship aids, envelopes and bulletins may be fully resumed if not already done. 
• The Sign of Peace may be restored. Pastoral care and prudence are needed here to ensure everyone at Mass feels cared for and is sensitive to the limits and comfort of each other in exchanging the Sign of Peace.
• Reception of Holy Communion:
  • Receiving Holy Communion in the hand no longer requires extra hand sanitizing on the part of the Communicant. However, the priest and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should continue to sanitize their hands prior to distributing Communion.
  • Receiving Holy Communion on the tongue may resume; however, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must have hand sanitizer nearby and use it immediately in the event of contact with saliva (which is good practice in all circumstances).
  • Distributing/receiving Holy Communion from the cup remains suspended at this time.

Social gatherings

• All social gatherings (potlucks, office luncheons, parish picnics, carnivals, etc.) may resume while incorporating the guidance on masks and physical distancing noted here.

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Lord Jesus,

You traveled through towns and villages
curing every disease and illness among the people.
At your command, the sick were made well.
Come to our aid now in this health crisis so that we may know your healing love.
Heal those who are sick: may they regain their health and strength.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents us from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which makes us certain of our health and life apart from you.
Bless health care professionals with strength and compassion
as they selflessly respond to our needs.

We make this prayer in your strong and holy name,
you, who with the Father and Spirit, live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen.