Catholics rejoice as some public Masses resume
Services are moved outdoors, to cars for communion
After two months without in-person Masses because of coronavirus restrictions, Roman Catholics in Fairfield County will soon be able to attend church services.
The Diocese of Bridgeport will allow its churches to begin celebrating outdoor Masses as early as next Thursday — the day after Gov. Ned Lamont enacts the first phase of his Reopen Connecticut plan.
Under phase one, services are optional for churches to conduct and for parishioners to attend. Since March, Roman Catholics have been absolved of their obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and can instead live-stream services.
Bridgeport Bishop Frank Caggiano issued strict guidelines for the return of orderly outdoor Masses on the diocesan website. He told parishioners that he believes following the state’s shelter-at-home order has saved many lives, and that God did not abandon their faithfulness.
“We have also been reminded that in our darkest hour, the Lord did not abandon us,” Caggiano said.
The first in-person Masses celebrated outside will look vastly different. Up to 50 attendees wearing masks will either sit or stand six feet apart outdoors or sit in their cars. Priests must be protected while distributing Communion.
Churches can also set up their parking lots for Mass. From their cars, parishioners can watch via livestream, and then the priest will distribute Communion in the parking lot. The number of cars depends on the size of the parking lot, how to maintain six feet between cars and the need for emergency exits.
Parishioners must sign up for Mass. If someone who attends Mass is later diagnosed with the coronavirus, the church will know who that person would have come in contact with. Those who are exposed to that person must quarantine for 14 days.
Churches will also need volunteers, who will wear protective gear, to answer questions and monitor compliance.
Parishes without outdoor spaces can ask to use diocesan properties, including Catholic cemeteries, as sites for celebrating Mass.
Under Caggiano’s guidelines, each pastor is responsible for developing a phased-in plan specific to his church, its size and population, and whether it has other usable spaces, indoors or outdoors. Religious authorities will review and approve these local plans.
These outdoor and parking lot Masses, which are optional for churches, are allowed under phase one.
Under phase two, church buildings and other indoor venues will be allowed to reopen.
“It is my hope that the reopening of our churches, which represents phase two in our planning process, may be possible soon,” Caggiano said.
Once indoor Mass becomes possible — in gyms, auditoriums or churches — parishioners must sit in marked seats that are six feet apart in all directions. They cannot shake hands.
Also, parishioners should not touch anything, such as hymnals, guides or offering baskets, that someone else could touch. Pews, railings and bathrooms will be disinfected after each service. Lay people are barred from reading, distributing Communion and assisting with worship.
As during the flu season, the wafer will be distributed during Communion, but the wine will not be.
Churches must install hand sanitizer dispensers at every entrance and exit, or ask worshipers to bring their own. Parishes must also provide masks, or ask parishioners to bring their own.
For Catholics, the news comes just in time to celebrate the final Holy Days of the Easter season. This season lasts from Easter Sunday, when Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead, through the Ascension, when Catholics believe he ascended into heaven.
Catholics for the joy of Easter by sacrificing during the period of Lent. This year, due to the coronavirus, these sacrifices persisted, especially for those who have watched a relative or friend fall ill, buried a loved one or remained in isolation and fear, Caggiano said.
In his letter, the bishop thanked the faithful’s patience, perseverance and fidelity while public Masses are suspended. During this time, religious services across denominations and faith traditions were held in virtually, as possible.
In the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Leonard Paul Blair has convened a committee of five pastors who are charged with determining when and how Roman Catholics can resume the public celebration of Mass, diocesan spokesperson David Elliott said in an email.
The committee plans to determine guidelines this week or next week, he said. The Hartford Archdiocese’s guidelines may differ from the Diocese of Bridgeport’s plans, Elliott said.
The Diocese of Norwich was not immediately available to return a request for comment.