Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

May 19, 2021 Guidelines

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  1. General Guidelines
    1. Masks are required in church, but not outside including the parking lot
    2. People must put on masks prior to entering any church facility
    3. No social distancing is required within church
      1. All pews are available for seating
      2. Pastors may want to consider having a “social distance” section for those more vulnerable
    4. Mass registration systems are no longer required
    5. Outdoor Masses are allowed for the remainder of the year
    6. Church bulletins are allowed, as are holy items, cards, and books
    7. It is recommended that at least one weekend Mass should be livestreamed
    8. Holy Water fonts must remain empty
    9. The Church must be cleaned before and after weekend Masses but not in between weekend Masses
      1. Church bathrooms should be open and cleaned before weekend Masses start and after the last weekend Mass
    10. Signs are no longer required on church doors or inside churches
      1. A sign reminding people to wear masks is recommended
    11. Parish or Private functions must follow state guidelines
      1. There are no additional restrictions for these events beyond what the state mandates
      2. The state is planning to publish new guidelines for outdoor activities on May 1st and indoor activities on May 19th
    12. Mass
      1. Missals may be placed in the pews
        1. Disposable worship aids are still the preferred method of publication
      2. 8 person choirs plus instrumentalists are allowed
        1. It is recommended that singing masks be used and social distancing be observed by all choir members
        2. Choir rehearsals should be no more than an hour with social distancing
      3. Congregational singing with masks is allowed
      4. Use of Masks:
        1. Masks must be worn by everyone participating in the processionals and recessionals of Mass
        2. Masks are required in the sanctuary except for the celebrant or anyone speaking to the congregation
        3. Masks are required for anyone who is distributing Holy Communion.
        4. Concelebrants may be seated next to one another but it is recommended that they wear masks
        5. Clergy may greet parishioners before or after Mass while wearing masks
      5. There is no limit on altar servers
      1. Altar servers are not permitted to hold the book for the celebrant
  1. No restrictions on the use of Readers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
  2. Collection baskets with handles passed by ushers are allowed.
    1. Ciborium lids must remain on until the distribution of Holy Communion
    2. It is strongly recommended that the hosts which are to be consecrated for distribution to the faithful be of at least 1 3/8” diameter to allow for ease of use and sanitary purposes
  2. The exchange of the sign of peace among the faithful remains optional
    1. If the sign of peace is exchanged, then it must be some type of non-contact gesture (bow)
  3. Processions (e.g. Corpus Christi) with masks are allowed
  • Procedures for the distribution of Holy Communion
    1. Holy Communion may continue to be distributed either on the tongue or in the hand. Clergy are not to limit the faithful in their choice of method of reception.
    2. Communion is to be distributed to the faithful only under one species – that of the consecrated hosts. Gloves are not to be worn in the distribution of holy communion, and no type of sanitary device or implement is to be placed over the hands of any communicant during distribution
    3. Social distancing is not required for Communion lines
      1. Two Communion lines in the center aisle are permitted
  1. Masks must be removed by the faithful immediately prior to receiving Holy Communion and then put back on after receiving
  2. Those distributing Holy Communion must sanitize their hands before and after distributing Holy Communion
  3. Sanitizing hands in between communicants is required when someone receives on the tongue or if the person distributing Communion inadvertently touches the communicant’s hand
  4. Kneelers and altar rails no longer must be cleaned in between communicants
  5. Communion is only given under one species – consecrated hosts
  6. Celebrants, concelebrants and deacons who are ministerially assisting at Mass must receive both species of the Most Blessed Sacrament. Appropriate accommodations must be made:
    1. The Precious Blood from the celebrant’s chalice must not be shared with concelebrants or with assisting deacons;
    2. Concelebrants are to self-communicate by means of intinction from a chalice separate from that used by the celebrant.
  • In the case of deacons who are assisting at Mass, the celebrant is to distribute the consecrated host to them so that the deacons can receive either by intinction or from a separate chalice.
  1. Procedures for other liturgical and sacramental celebrations
    1. Sacrament of Reconciliation
      1. Masks are required
      2. Social distancing is not required; confessionals may return to full use though proper ventilation is strongly encouraged.
  • Sanitization procedures are not required.
  1. Weddings and Funerals
    1. The same guidelines above for Mass apply to weddings and funerals
    2. The bride and groom are not required to wear masks