Christian worship and sacraments are of high importance for the spiritual good and overall well-being of the faithful. As a response to the request of the faithful to have sacramental celebrations, more importantly, the Holy Eucharist, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa establishes the following liturgical guidelines in the celebration of public Mass while observing and following the health safety protocols during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
I. CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST
A. General Provisions
1. All faithful are dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass.
Therefore, parishioners who are:
• symptomatic or who have been exposed to the virus are strongly encouraged to stay home.
• at-risk because of an underlying health issue or who are aged 60 or older are strongly encouraged to stay home.
• having a cough of any sort, and anyone feeling sick, are strongly encouraged to stay home.
2. Facemasks will be worn during the entire celebration.
3. Social distancing will be observed at all times.
4. Hand sanitizers will be provided.
5. Only 25% of the Occupancy Capacity of the church building will be allowed entrance.
B. Our Parishioners
All parishioners coming to attend the celebration of the Holy Eucharist:
1. Must wear facemasks. Facemasks will be available for those who do not have one.
2. Must have their temperature checked at the entrance door before going inside the church.
3. Must observe social distancing.
4. Should be seated starting at the front of the church and moving to the back as they enter in order to facilitate prompt spacing and seating. No one will be allowed to enter when all designated seats are already filled.
5. Should sit together in the same row if they belong to a single household.
6. Will be advised to stay outside or to come back for the next service if church capacity is filled. They can set up their own picnic tents and chairs but must observe social distancing.
7. Parents should supervise their children at all times and be always mindful of the implemented protocols.
8. Parishioners should exit starting with those at the back of the church and moving to those in the front in order to facilitate prompt spacing while leaving the church. They must proceed directly to their cars and leave.
C. Our Worship Space and Church Environment
1. There will be designated entry and exit doors to be adequately monitored. All doors must remain unlocked for the whole duration of the celebration.
2. Colored tapes will be used to close off rows of seating – one or two pews are to be left vacant in between congregants such that six-foot of distance can be maintained in all directions.
3. Floor markings of a single line shall be placed six feet apart in the aisles in which the congregation approaches for Communion to facilitate proper social distancing.
4. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces in the church is required. Pews and other high traffic areas of the church, missal and liturgical books, sacred vessels, and microphones are to be wiped down with disinfectant before the next service.
5. All hymnals, missalettes, and other worship aids are to be removed from the pews.
6. Holy water fonts are to remain empty.
7. “Please Don’t Touch” signage will be placed on statues of saints including the Santo Entiero.
8. Votive candle stand should be taken out of the church to avoid congregating of parishioners.
9. Collection baskets or donation boxes are to be placed at the door entrance and exit. Parishioners will be advised to drop their love offering either upon entering or exiting the church.
10. Restroom facilities and door handles, and knobs are to be sanitized after each service.
D. Our Celebration
1. Gathering Rite
a. Only the Mass presider and deacons will march for the entrance procession. Altar servers and other liturgical ministers will not join.
b. The presider and assisting deacons should wear masks during the entrance procession and will remove it when they reach their place at the sanctuary.
2. Liturgy of the Word
a. The second reader will only go up to the ambo once the first reader goes back to the designated seat.
3. Presentation of the Gifts
a. Collection baskets are not to be passed around, nor shall ushers take up the collection from the congregation.
b. Offertory – the bringing of gifts to the altar is suspended.
4. Liturgy of the Eucharist
a. The sign of peace is optional. If it is offered, there is to be no physical contact. A simple gesture, such as a nod of the head, is recommended.
b. Holy Communion will be distributed in the hand only.
c. Maintaining a single-file is necessary for the distribution of Holy Communion for each Communion minister and communicant to maintain social distancing.
d. When approaching the Communion minister, the communicant is to pull their mask below their chin in order to receive Communion. The communicant immediately replaces their mask after consuming the Host.
5. Others:
a. Singing is limited. It will only be for the Entrance, Preparation of the Gifts, Communion, and Recessional. No singing for the offertory since presentation of gifts is suspended. The Gloria, Our Father, and service music will be recited.
b. The presider will have an option to place the credence table next to the altar and do the preparation of the altar or to have the altar servers put on top of the altar the chalice, ciborium, cruets, and the things for lavabo.
c. The missal should be placed on a stand at the chair or even on the altar when the celebrant recites the presidential prayers, rather than having a server hold the book.
d. Special blessing for birthdays and wedding anniversaries will be done with the celebrants remaining in their place. The priest will extend his hands and say the prayer of blessing. Holy water will not be used for the blessing.
E. Our Ministers
1. Clergy and other ministers are to maintain six-foot distancing and should not greet parishioners as they enter and exit the church.
2. Pastors are to see to it that these obligations are enforced without exception.
3. Only ushers will open and close the doors to prevent people from touching the door handles, knobs or push plates. They must wear masks, and gloves if necessary, throughout the celebration of Mass.
4. Only one or two altar servers will be allowed to serve each Mass. They will not be allowed to stand and hold any books in front of the Mass presider.
5. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must wear mask, sanitize their hands immediately before and after distributing Communion, and when at all possible, to utilize a disinfectant wipes to sanitize their fingers when incidental contact is made with the communicant.
6. Music ministers are to maintain six-foot social distancing. A “one person choir” is recommended. A maximum of a five-member choir including the instrumentalist is also an option.
7. Only designated collection counters will touch the collection baskets. The collection basket and the money to be counted will be sprayed with disinfectant. Counters must wear mask and gloves.
F. Miscellaneous
1. Those who refrain from receiving communion are kindly asked to remain in their places rather than process to the line to request a blessing. They are encouraged to unite themselves with the sacrifice of Christ through Act of Spiritual Communion.
2. Ushers are not to hand out bulletins or other materials after the celebration.
3. Clergy and other ministers are not to greet parishioners as they exit the church.
4. There are to be no receptions or social gatherings (e.g., coffee and doughnuts, chit-chat) following Mass.
II. CELEBRATION OF CHRISTIAN FUNERALS
1. The above mentioned guidelines for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist must be followed.
2. A time that will not exceed two hours prior to the celebration of Mass for Christian burial will be provided for Responso, Holy Rosary, and public viewing. Mass will begin promptly after.
3. Parish social hall will remain closed and no buffet serving of foods after. Only packed foods can be distributed to the people.
4. For families who wish to have a funeral liturgy outside of Mass, this celebration may take place at funeral homes.
These revised guidelines were discussed and agreed upon by the clergy of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa at the Presbyeral Council Meeting on June 2, 2020.
Prepared by:
/s/ Fr. Charlie Borja
Pastor, Santa Soledad Parish
/s/ Most Rev. Ryan P. Jimenez, D.D.
Bishop of Chalan Kanoa