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The Government’s announcement of restrictive measures now being imposed on places of worship is a disappointment to us all. Evidently, we are not the only ones feeling the effects of these measures. In fact, almost all aspects of our province’s social and economic life have been disrupted. And those families who had wanted to gather together for Christmas have had their hopes disappointed, as well. 

A summary of the measures that will come into effect Monday, December 20, can be found here: link

In practical terms, as of Monday, December 20:

• All persons participating in a Mass and all liturgical servers must practise the utmost diligence in following the health guidelines in effect.
• All volunteers (deacons involved, lectors, altar servers, those distributing Communion, ushers, volunteer musicians) must show their vaccination passports in order to participate in the service.
• Priests and other paid liturgical servers (cantors, musicians) who are not adequately vaccinated must, in addition to following the required health guidelines, avoid coming in proximity with or interacting for any length of time with any other participants in the congregation. I would ask those priests to whom this applies not to distribute Communion until further notification.
• An adequate number of volunteers must of course be put together in the shortest time possible, in order to be instructed as soon as possible in welcoming the congregation. If you have difficulty finding volunteers for your church, contact neighbouring communities. If necessary, contact your episcopal vicar in order to find appropriate solutions.
• The effort must be made to communicate the necessary information to your parishioners and visitors, particularly concerning arrival times at Masses, as the verification of vaccination passports and identification may slow the process of entering churches.
• I would ask pastoral teams to coordinate arrangements to ensure that Communion will be provided for those among the faithful who, for whatever reason, cannot or do not wish to attend gatherings in person.
• Details are yet to be received regarding the possibility of visiting our churches outside of Mass times without possessing a vaccination passport.