Hello, and blessings in your day.
Last week a meeting was scheduled with EM's and Ushers.
Topic at hand was discussion around health safety protocols in view of resuming the distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue at all Masses, for those who might be open to it. For the better part of two years we have held out on this, siting certain safety concerns in addition to collective responsibility to each other as a hall mark of stewardship. It is probably time to make those adjustments and resume communion on the hand again, given the ease of COVID-19 restrictions which have been in place for a time now.
By no means is the Pandemic over, not to mention the current outbreak of Monkey Pox! However, this move is just one of many indicators that we have, and have been in a better place now with the pandemic, than in earlier times. A return to a sense of normalcy to parishioners' lives in their participation in the parish liturgy is important; it is also worthy of note, that it's good to see a good number of face coverings at Masses, still. Very nice!
The EM's and Deacons have been instructed on what to do to keep everyone safe with Holy Communion. It will involve sanitizing the minister's fingers each time they give communion on the tongue, or the occasional contact with a parishioner's tongue. The option to receive Communion on the tongue begin this weekend, August 13 / 14 2022, at all Masses. Thank you for your patience and understanding through out his time.
Let's continue to look out for each other and if you feel sick or under the weather, please be cautious, stay home and get better; we will miss you but we will be praying for you
Also, following the just concluded DOT Audit, part of the recommendations focused on our system of Sunday collections; a better safety structure was proposed which involves the use of sealed bags; that protocol was discussed with ushers at this meeting as well; some recommendations we have began to implement, some will take a little longer and with time, we will perfect the systems suggested by diocese. Please be patient, and thank you for your understanding and support.
Blessings.
F.R.