Diocese of Oakland establishes protocol for resuming public Masses.

In collaboration with the other Catholic dioceses of Oakland, and following the directives of the public officials of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, has issued protocols for the resumption of public Masses in the Diocese of Oakland.
Alameda County will allow indoor, public religious services on June 19 and Contra Costa County provisionally on July 1.

However, before resuming public worship, parishes must submit a Parish Reopening Plan for Bishop Barber’s approval, specific to the parish’s facilities. Upon receiving the bishop’s permission, parishes may resume daily Masses, baptisms, funerals and other sacraments and liturgies. Bishop Barber has provided a set of guidelines developed by pastors and the diocesan Office of Worship for parishes to use.

The introduction of the diocesan guidelines, which were distributed to parishes on June 13, follows.

“As people of faith, we must always be aware of the importance of acting in a socially responsible way, to give good example to others, and to act with charity toward all. Everything possible should be done to provide the church’s sacramental life in a timely and reasonable way. The current situation remains dangerous and fragile, and civil law varies within our two counties. While much has been achieved, there remains the potential that the gains could be lost by a second more virulent wave.

“Our first consideration is the spiritual and physical health of the faithful and those whom they encounter, especially the most vulnerable—the elderly and those with chronic illness. We must rely on medical professionals and governmental standards to inform our decisions.

“General Guidelines/Recommendations:

“The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses continues until further notice. Although the faithful are dispensed from their obligation to attend Mass, they are encouraged to spend time in prayer on Sunday (such as following a livestream Mass or participating in a spiritual or corporal act of mercy). The obligation to receive Holy Communion in the Easter Season is dispensed in this diocese, this year. Out of an abundance of caution for those at high risk, the dispensation from attending Sunday Mass continues even after public Masses resume.

“The faithful might be encouraged to attend a weekday Mass with smaller crowds. Priests are encouraged to use Sunday Mass texts on weekdays, when permissible. When the calendar permits, priests may continue using the Mass in the Time of Pandemic with the Eucharistic Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions IV: Jesus Who Went About Doing Good.

“Those who are at higher risk of COVID-19 (e.g., those who are sixty-five and older or who have underlying health conditions) are advised to continue staying at home. Likewise, anyone with a temperature, a cough of any sort, and anyone feeling ill, should not come to the church for a visit or for any ceremonies. As circumstances allow, a visit from a priest, deacon, or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion to bring them the Eucharist may be possible."

“Clergy and lay ministers are encouraged to be tested for COVID-19 where this is possible.
“A priest, deacon, or other minister with a respiratory infection of any kind should not distribute Communion. Priests who are not comfortable distributing communion, by reason of age or health, should feel free to delegate that to another minister.
“At this time, the number of Extraordinary Ministers should be kept to a minimum to assure strict adherence to required protocol.

“Parishes should continue to livestream Masses if feasible or direct parishioners to a website listing of livestream links, even after public Masses resume. We need to include people who stay home.

“Written parental permission is required if minors are serving at a Mass that is being live streamed.

Parishes are not to hold events before or after Mass. Areas that might attract gatherings (e.g. where ‘coffee hour’ would normally take place) should be locked.
 
“In order to resume public Masses, each parish is required to prepare a Parish Reopening Plan and submit it to the Office of the Bishop. Then, continued robust communication is essential to keep parishioners apprised of the evolving conditions.
 
“Ushers are critical for social distancing to work and need to be thoroughly trained in crowd management. They will be the ones to assure people are seated and dismissed properly, guide the communion process, and determine when capacity has been reached. Parishioners are to follow directions of ushers before and during Mass. If the usher pool is limited, perhaps high school students, confirmandi, and groups like the Knights of Columbus could be trained and called into service.”
 
Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ