Oct. 23 - Alameda County approves restricted indoor public worship - Diocese of Oakland CA

With the decision by Alameda County to allow restricted indoor public worship, effective Oct. 23, parishes in Alameda County may resume indoor Masses at their discretion. The Diocese of Oakland is requiring all parishes to abide by liturgical protocols which were issued June 12 and modified Oct. 1. The protocols include limiting indoor attendance to 25%, not exceeding 100 people.
A list of parishes which have received permission to resume indoor Masses is available at https://oakdiocese.org/prayer-and-masses.

Parishes are encouraged to continue outdoor Masses as long as possible, since this allows more people to participate in person. Regardless of where Masses are held, churches are always open during the day for private prayer.

Catholics are able to receive Holy Communion now during Mass, in the usual place in the liturgy. It is no longer necessary to wait until after Mass is finished to receive.

Church law states that reception of Holy Communion by the tongue is permissible. Diocesan officials continue to encourage people to receive Holy Communion in the hand, in an abundance of caution for health reasons.

Parishes continue to offer sacramental preparation and other sacraments and funerals, in accord with the guidance of public health officials. No indoor receptions or gatherings other than Mass are permitted by Alameda County. This includes no preparing or serving food on premises, festivals, parish events, picnics, auctions, dances, etc. Purchase of food prepared off premises by restaurants licensed by county health departments only is permitted, provided meals are boxed individually by the restaurant and that such boxed meals are delivered to the church for pick up within an hour after distributed by the restaurant. No offsite preparation of food by parishioners or volunteers for distribution at the parish is permitted. In-person gatherings are outside the county directive and not currently allowed. The diocese will continue to observe the recommendations set forth by the two counties. County directives referring to dining and entertainment venues do not apply to houses of worship or schools.
Catholic schools in the diocese will determine locally if and when they will be returning to in-person instruction. Parents will continue to receive information from their principals regarding their school’s situation.

“It is very important for us to keep vigilant and practice all the safety precautions to which we’ve become accustomed,” Bishop Michael C. Barber, SJ, explained. We must keep the full sacramental life of the Church alive with utmost care for the health and safety of all.”
Alameda County Public Health Order https://covid-19.acgov.org/covid19-assets/docs/reopen/alameda-county-approved-types-of-businesses-2020.10.21.pdf.
Contra Costa County Public Health Order: https://cchealth.org/covid19/pdf/Contra-Costa-County-Openings-at-a-Glance.pdf

Diocesan protocols for parishes https://oakdiocese.org/prayer-and-masses