Diocese of Stockton to resume public Mass in June

STOCKTON — The Diocese of Stockton has announced that public Mass will resume June 14, including vigil Masses on June 13.

On Monday, places of worship and hair salons were added to Stage 2 of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s four-stage plan to reopen California’s crippled economy since stay-at-home orders were issued in March. On Tuesday, San Joaquin County Public Health Services signed off as one of the counties approved by the governor to move deeper into Stage 2.

Multiple safeguards and precautions will be in place to protect the health of parishioners and the community, including:

• Thorough, frequent sanitization of churches, including pews, door handles, railings, etc.

• Shared items, such as hymnals, will not be available.

• Attendance at Mass will be limited to 25 percent of a church’s normal capacity and will not exceed 100 people at any time.

• Social distancing between those who do not share a household will be required.

• Hand sanitizer will be available and used during Mass.

• Parishioners are asked to wear face masks if able to do so safely.

• Singing will not be a part of the liturgy.

A dispensation issued by Bishop Myron Cotton on March 12 that attendance at a public Mass is not a requirement for Catholics in the diocese remains in effect, and those who prefer to remain at home and participate online are encouraged to do so. Those who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or who are otherwise more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus are asked to remain at home at this time.

“All of us are eager to return to celebrating the Risen Christ as a community,” Bishop Cotta said. “But, we must ensure that we are doing so safely and with great care for the well-being of all our community.”

Other parishes may implement additional or modified safeguards. Parishioners should consult their parish for specific guidelines, including information on how to attend Mass when capacity is reduced.

Cotta said these changes are necessary to protect the health of those who attend, as well as the community at large.

“Much will be different when we return to Mass, but the most important thing is unchanged and unchangeable,” Cotta said. “Christ waits for us in the Sacrament, whether we participate in person or online. The love of God for His people, and the love of God’s people for one another, these are constants, even in a time of turmoil.”