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Phase II: Decreasing COVID-19 Safety ProtocolsBeginning May 14, 2021
- No capacity restrictions.
- Best medical counsel is to wear face masks when indoors or in crowded outdoor settings.
- Face masks are encouraged for all, especially for those not yet vaccinated. To accommodate those with health conditions, it is strongly recommended to celebrate one weekend Mass where face masks are required.
- Baskets with handles may be used by ushers to take up the collection, and Holy Water may be used.
- Altar servers may hold the Missal and carry candles for the Gospel.
- Deacons may elevate the Chalice.
- Traditional entrance and recessional processions may take place.
- The offertory procession may be done, provided wine and hosts are in covered vessels.
- Keeping mind the comfort level of those around you, traditional gestures for the Sign of Peace may resume (handshake, embrace, etc.) with the option of choosing a no-touch gesture (bow, nod, wave,)
- Communion on the tongue is permitted at the end of the regular distribution of Holy Communion after everyone has received on the hand.
- Confessionals and adoration chapels may be used with participants wearing face masks.
- Meals, snacks, and treats may be served (funeral receptions) with those serving the meal wearing face masks and food and beverages served (no buffet/self-service). Other State and local health and food safety directives and precautions are to be followed.
- Day trips may be taken.
- Similar practices are to be observed for other parish meetings, activities, and ministries.
If a serious outbreak occurs, former safety protocols may be reinstated.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Information
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Considerations to reduce exposure
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- Volume of Air: Square footage and linear physical distance are not the only factors in determining capacity. Two churches could both have a 3000 sq. ft. floor plan, but vastly different volumes of air if church (a) has 10-foot ceiling while church (b) has a 30-foot ceiling. Greater air volume allows for dispersion of the virus and reduces probability of infection.
- Air Exchange: Exchanging air with outside air is very effective in reducing the amount of virus in a space. When possible, opening windows and doors between liturgies can facilitate air exchange.
- Nature of Activity: Speaking especially at high volume and singing shed more virus into the air. (Please see the note on singing below.)
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As mentioned above, singing increases the shedding of virus. The exact degree is not known and continues to be studied, and we still do not know the potential for transmission from congregational singing. In general, music should be kept to a minimum with the acclamations (Gospel Acclamation, Holy, Memorial Acclamation, and Great Amen) receiving priority.
- Missalettes and Hymnals should be removed from the church.
- A cantor and accompanist are recommended. Multiple vocalists are strongly discouraged.
- The cantor should wear a face covering.
- If sung, the responsorial psalm should be sung from the cantor’s stand.
- Missalettes and Hymnals should be removed from the church.
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- The faithful should extend their hands making as flat a surface as possible.
- After receiving the Host on the hand, communicants step to the side, lower her/his mask/face covering, and consume the Body of Christ.
- Communion on the tongue is permitted at the end of the regular distribution of Holy Communion after everyone has received on the hand.
- The Precious Blood will not be served.
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As we move forward, the Diocese of Cheyenne remains committed to protecting God’s precious gift of life and the common good. Guided by the Deposit of Faith, the Church often will operate using greater caution than the government, especially when those at greatest risk are among the most vulnerable. Pope Francis reminds us in the Joy of the Gospel that “the way we treat others has a transcendent dimension.” In other words, when we care for others, we care for ourselves.
The Diocese of Cheyenne acknowledges the fear and anxiety in the hearts of many. Yet, let us be confident that the Lord is guiding our journey in the desert, just as the people of Israel were led through their exodus to a land of new hope. As we journey in the desert, we must live our faith with reason, prudence, and compassion. We are still a Living Church with Living Faith.
We desire to continue to be able to gather as Church to celebrate Sacraments and to worship God. To do so requires a continued commitment to observing necessary safety protocols.
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Bishop Steven Biegler has extended to the faithful in the Diocese of Cheyenne a dispensation from the obligation to celebrate the Eucharist on Sundays and Holy Days, effective through June 2021.
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Theological REasons For Actions of diocese of cheyenne
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