4 June 2021
A Word From Your Pastor
We welcome those 2021 high school graduates to our 8:15 Mass this Sunday. Please keep them in your prayers.
This weekend, the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, will see the “re-booting” of our parish worship practice following diocesan guidance as follows:
Masks~ individuals may continue to wear a mask as desired. If not vaccinated the new CDC guidance recommends continuing to wear a mask.
Social Distancing~ at own discretion. CDC guidance recommends if not vaccinated, to socially distance.
Hymnals, Missalettes~ may return to pews. There is support that the virus spread from inanimate objects is minimal. (We will continue to use prepared worship aids until the new missalettes arrive in November.)
Choir and Congregational Singing~ there is support that the virus spreads from face to face interaction, which is typically not the case in these activities. You may choose to resume these activities. (Our choir will resume in the fall.)
Offertory Basket & Offertory Procession~ you may choose to resume the practice of passing the offertory basket and offertory procession.
Receiving & Consuming the Eucharist~ we recommend that parishioners be reminded of the proper reception of the Eucharist and that it be consumed before returning to their seat.
Holy Water~ it is recommended to resume offering Holy Water as was done prior to covid. The use of Holy Water is voluntary. It is recommended that Holy Water is changed more often and that cleaning the fonts is done more often.
Sign of Peace~ it is recommended that the Sign of Peace is resumed. (Bishop Brenan will provide a separate letter to be read on Corpus Christi.)
Receiving from the Chalice~ offering the chalice will continue to be suspended. (Bishop Brennan will provide a separate letter on this subject to be read on Corpus Christi.)
Live Streaming of Mass~ St. Joseph Cathedral will continue live streaming of the 10:30 Sunday Mass. (
https://www.columbuscatholic.org/live). The recommendation
is to offer your own live streaming if feasible. Provide the link to your parish with the link to the Cathedral Mass, as there are those who do not feel comfortable attending Mass and it provides the homebound a way to connect. (St. Edward’s will continue the taped weekend Mass over the summer.
Office Procedures~ office doors will be opened. Staff may choose whether or not to wear a mask and it is up to visitors to follow CDC guidance on masks and social distancing.
Supplies~ masks, hand sanitizer, etc. should continue to be available in your buildings.
Signage~ consider removing signage which no longer applies, such as Mask Required signage. We do not recommend new signage.
Sanitizing~ you may choose to discontinue the practice of sanitizing the worship space and other areas s between Masses. There is support that virus spread from inanimate objects is minimal.
Funeral Luncheons, Senior Luncheons, K of C Gatherings, etc.~ these events may resume. The consideration we recommend is food services. It is recommended that food be put on the participants plate by a server to limit how many individuals touch serving utensils. (See the request for Funeral Luncheon helpers in the bulletin.)
At St. Edwards~ the west parking lot and church door will be opened (until 3:30 pm during the week); pew dividers will be removed; worship aids will be available at entry; the communion cup is not used; the choir and altar ministers will return in the fall; the parish office door will now be open during office hours. There will undoubtedly be other changes coming but let us start with these and see how they go.
And, once again, to those returning to join us for Mass in-person - Welcome Back!
God bless,
Msgr Enke