All Things Covid
October 6, 2022
“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”
He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall
love your neighbour as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:26-39)
Dear People of God,
Our faith in Jesus calls us to love our neighbour in family, workplace, and social encounters, and in
our liturgical life. When doing so, we must remember that Christ’s response to the question “who is
my neighbour?” was the parable of the Good Samaritan. Encounters with the poor and wounded are
the very essence of our encounter with the living body of Christ.
Loving our neighbour in our liturgical action during the Covid pandemic continues to be challenging
as we seek to keep people safe and healthy, especially the vulnerable and immunocompromised. I
want to thank the pastors, parish support staff, parish pastoral councils, and countless individuals in
our liturgical assemblies for the huge efforts they make to provide a safe and healthy environment for
gathering. I know how difficult it has been at times to meet provincial health authority requirements
and to assist people in working together for the common good.
It is indeed beautiful to see and experience the efforts people make to think of others, when radical
individualism and personal preference often want to disrupt the harmony and good will of the Body
of Christ gathered in liturgy. Thank you so much to the pastors and parishioners who have selflessly
made every effort in dialogue and prudence to take care of one another.
There is much we have learned and experienced by listening in a synodal way about how best to
move forward. After consulting the Diocesan Health Care Committee and the Diocesan Liturgical
Committee, I offer the following instructions. These are to replace General and Liturgical Directives
issued on April 6, 2022.
1. The Catholic faith, following the Lord’s command “Do this in memory of me”, holds the sacred
liturgy as the source and summit of the Christian faith. It offers us a way to participate in the
love of God as a community, gathered on the day of the Lord’s resurrection, the first day of the
week. I invite all the faithful to the right and responsibility of participating fully, consciously,
and actively in the gathered Christian community celebration of the Eucharist on each Sunday
that it is possible and safe to do so.
2. If you are sick with symptoms of Covid, the flu, the common cold, upper respiratory infections,
or any other communicable disease, please do not come to church. This sacrifice is an act of
charity, and a source of blessings for both you and your community.
3. Face coverings are highly recommended for all, and especially for priests, deacons, and ministers
of Holy Communion.
4. Communion from the Chalice remains suspended at this time.
5. Ministers of Communion must sanitize their hand before and after the distribution of
Communion.
6. Communion on the tongue is permitted, as per the norms of the General Instruction of the Roman
Missal (2011). I am aware that distributing Communion in this manner will be challenging for
many ministers of Communion. The wise and prudent choice for health and safety during flu
season is to receive Communion on the hand.
7. Holy water may be restored to fonts and baptisteries, with the hope that it is changed frequently.
8. Collection of the offering may be resumed with the strong recommendation that the basket
should not be passed from hand to hand, but rather presented by ushers and extended by a pole or
stick.
9. The sign of peace with physical contact (i.e., handshake) may be resumed with people nearby.
However, a reverent bow and the spoken words “Peace be with you” are recommended. Please
respect your neighbours’ comfort levels. Families of course may continue to share the sign of
peace in their usual way.
10. Hand sanitizer and/or hand washing stations are highly recommended at all entrances to church
buildings.
My prayer is that these steps will allow us to wisely and prudently continue taking care of one
another during liturgical assemblies and parish gatherings. Early in the pandemic, Pope Francis
entrusted the world to the protection of Mary. Our Lady, Health of the Sick, pray for us!
In Communion,
Most Reverend Gary Gordon
Bishop of Victoria
GENERAL AND LITURGICAL DIRECTIVES - updated April 6, 2022 - for Churches during Covid-19, to be followed by all Parishes in the Diocese of Victoria
1. Participation in the Sunday Liturgy:
Parishioners in the Diocese of Victoria are invited to participate in the Sunday Liturgy. The vitality of the Body of Christ is nourished and strengthened by our full, active and conscious participation in the Liturgy.
2. CHARITY, care and concern for others:
All those attending Mass do so at their own risk and must take responsibility for protecting themselves and others. As an act of supreme charity, the following people must also stay home for the sake of others in the community:
a. People with Covid-19, or those who live with someone with Covid-19.
b. People who have been exposed to someone with Covid-19 and are waiting for test results.
c. The sick, including those with ANY symptoms or feelings of sickness, especially if they have a fever, upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms.
d. Those who have recently travelled outside of Canada, or who have arrived from places in Canada that are experiencing significant Covid-19 outbreaks.
The following people are encouraged to stay home:
a. People who live with someone with upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms.
b. People, especially the elderly with underlying or comprised medical conditions.
c. Family members who live with elderly people or those at risk
3. DEFINITION OF A WORSHIP SERVICE:
For clarity, a worship service is defined as a gathering that has worship as its primary purpose. These include, for example:
• Mass, liturgical celebrations of the sacraments, and devotions (eg, adoration)
• Celebration of the Word in the absence of a priest
• Children’s Liturgy of the Word programs that happen during a Mass Gatherings such as the following may also be held according to the requirements for worship services. However, we strongly recommend that they are held virtually whenever possible:
• RCIA, catechism or youth group programs
• Parish Pastoral or Finance Council, CWL or Knights of Columbus meetings
• Receptions immediately following liturgical services If such gatherings are held in person, pastors and administrators may choose to apply the requirements for non-worship gatherings (Section 7) if they so desire.
4. MAXIMUM ATTENDANCE AND PHYSICAL DISTANCING:
There are no capacity limits on attendance at worship services or other gatherings in church buildings. It is highly recommended that parishes continue to encourage physical distancing by blocking off pews, adding distancing markers to the aisles used during the Communion procession, posting reminders in the lobby, and other similar methods.
5. FACE COVERINGS:
Face coverings must be worn by priests and deacons in the following situations:
• When in close proximity to people during the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Anointing of the Sick
• During processions through the congregation
• While greeting people before or after Mass
• When distributing Holy Communion
Face coverings must also be worn by other ministers of Communion while distributing Communion.
Face coverings are highly recommended for all people while in church buildings, as a wise and prudent way of staying healthy and demonstrating care for others. They are especially recommended for people who are part of processions, who are greeting people before or after Mass, who are acting as ushers, and who are participating in congregational singing.
6. ENTRANCES AND EXITS:
Churches should continue to provide hand sanitizer at all entrances to the church. Holy Water and Baptismal fonts are to remain empty.
7. MEETINGS, EVENTS AND RECEPTIONS:
Church and hall rentals and other non-worship gatherings are permitted as long as all regulations of the latest “Gatherings and Events” Order of the Provincial Health Officer are followed. The latest Order can be found online at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/health/about-bc-s-health-care-system/office-of-the-provincialhealth-officer/covid-19/covid-19-pho-order-gatherings-events.pdf
Essential gatherings such as drug and alcohol support group meetings, or the distribution of food or other supplies to people in need, may happen in church buildings without any restrictions, as the regulations of the “Gatherings and Events” Order do not apply to these type of gatherings.
CELEBRATION OF THE MASS:
8. MUSIC:
Singing is permitted as long as all policies in the latest Diocese of Victoria Music Ministry Covid-19 Prevention Plan are followed. The latest version may be found online at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/news/responsetocovid19-0. The continued use of face coverings by all singers, both in the choir and in the congregation, is highly recommended, as the forceful exhalations associated with singing increases the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
9. ROLE OF THE DEACON:
Provided the deacon is healthy and comfortable to exercise his diaconal role at Mass, he may function as a Deacon of the Word and of the Eucharist. For Communion, if the deacon receives from the Chalice, a second chalice is to be used, and the deacon must purify his own chalice, and not the celebrant’s chalice.
10. LECTORS:
There may be more than one lector for the Proclamation of the Word and the intercessory prayers.
11. OFFERTORY PROCESSION:
The offertory procession of the gifts for the altar may resume, provided the bread and wine remain covered both before and during the procession. Parishioners are not to put their hosts into a ciborium directly. While a collection may be taken in whatever methods were used before the pandemic, parishes are encouraged to consider safer alternatives, such as providing a place for people to make their offering when they enter the church, and/or promoting the option of online/remote donations (PAD, credit card, e-transfer, etc.)
12. COMMUNION HOSTS FOR THE ASSEMBLY:
When placed upon the altar for the consecration, Communion Hosts should remain covered and be placed at some distance from the celebrant so that there is no danger of him breathing upon them. The priest is not to share his Host with anyone.
13. REFRAIN FROM BREATHING UPON THE BREAD AND THE WINE:
If this is their custom, priests are to refrain from breathing over the bread and wine for the consecration.
14. KISS OF PEACE:
Physical distancing must be respected and parishioners are to be reminded not to shake hands or hug each other, unless they are sitting together as a family unit. Continuing the sign of peace with a gesture, such as bowing, is recommended.
15. COMMUNION:
Face coverings must be worn by all people who are distributing Communion.
Communion from the chalice or on the tongue continues to be problematic in terms of transmission of disease. For the foreseeable future, until the pandemic is truly over, Communion in this Diocese will continue to be distributed on the hand only and not from the chalice. We are grateful for your patience and understanding if these are your preferred ways of receiving Holy Communion, and look forward to returning to these practices when it is safe to do so.
There are rare situations where a person is unable to use their hands for some reason. In these situations, the minister of Communion must sanitize their hands before and after giving Holy Communion to each person who is unable to use their hands.
All people distributing communion are to apply hand sanitizer after receiving their own Communion and prior to distributing to others. Hand sanitizer is to be reapplied at the end of the distribution of Communion, and at any time if the fingers of the minister touch the hand of a communicant.
SACRAMENTS:
16. SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM:
Anointing should be done with a separate cotton ball for each person being anointed.
17. RECONCILIATION:
Because Confessional boxes and reconciliation rooms are often too small to respect physical distancing, a larger room or area of the church with clear visibility (in conformity with the norms established for Responsible Ministry and Safe Environment) or outside in an open space, may be used if either the priest or parishioner wish to do so.
18. CONFIRMATION AND FIRST COMMUNION:
The Bishop has resumed the practice of travelling to parishes to administer the sacrament of Confirmation and First Communion. In this transitional time, priests are also delegated by the Bishop to celebrate Confirmation and First Communion until Covid-19 is over and provided the Restored Order of the Sacraments is maintained. Anointing should be done with a separate cotton ball for each person being anointed. “The use by the minister of an instrument (gloves, cotton swab…), does not affect the validity of the Sacrament” (Congregation for Divine Worship & the Discipline of the Sacraments, issued October 1, 2020).
19. SACRAMENT OF THE SICK / PARISH OUTREACH MINISTRY:
Anointing of the Sick should be done with a separate cotton ball for each person being anointed.
What Religion Teaches Us About Freedom
In the following video Dave Rubin of The Rubin Report talks to Bishop Barron and Rabbi David Wolpe about how the stories of Easter and Passover can teach us important lessons about freedom and hope. Passover celebrates the Jews gaining freedom from slavery through their exodus from Egypt. While Easter celebrates Christians attaining their freedom from sin through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The three of them discuss the place of spirituality, faith and religion during a major crisis like the one we are all living through. How can understanding spirituality or a belief in God help us through these dark times? Or can one find meaning and a sense of purpose without theology? Dave and his guests representing, Judaism and Christianity, try to tackle these big questions.
Click on the following link to watch the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrkRl8-wJ6U&list=PLEbhOtC9klbBVQDiwKCMq8RrYdmBjKRrb
Pope Francis Speaks on Coming out of the Pandemic Crisis
Click HERE to access the text about what Pope Francis had to say regarding coming out of the covid-19 Pandemic Crisis.
Corona and the Message of Love
Click the link to access the message: Corona and the Message of Love
English Bishops Gives a Glimpse Into Post-Pandemic World
Click the link to access this article about what the world might look like once the pandemic passes: Glimpse into Post-Pandemic World
Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary
A plenary indulgence is granted to the following:
1) To those inflicted with the virus, or quarantined in hospitals or homes, who in a spirit of detachment from sin unite themselves spiritually to the celebration of Mass via the media, or who pray the Rosary, or who make the Stations of the Cross or who engage in other forms of authentic devotion.
2) A plenary indulgence is also granted to those inflicted who pray the Creed (Nicene or Apostles' Creed) and a Hail Mary.
3) A plenary indulgence is also granted to health-care workers, family members and all those who exposing themselves to the risk of contagion care for the sick.
4) A plenary indulgence is also granted to the faithful who make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament (Eucharistic Adoration) or pray the Holy Rosary or make the Stations of the Cross or pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, engaging in these devotions while praying for an end to the pandemic.
Decree on behalf of the Pope is signed by Card. Mauro Piacenza, Major Penitentiary, & Fr. Krzysztof Nykiel, Regent)
The plenary indulgence is granted under the usual conditions:
1) Prayer for the Pope
2) Confession
3) Holy Communion
(The latter two conditions may be fulfilled when physically possible.)