COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Precautions, Practices, and Resources
in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough
REOPENING PLAN FOR THE DIOCESE
WORSHIP SAFE - Reopening Plan for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough, edits - August 15, 2020, July 7, 2020, June 25, 2020. (Original June 9 2020)
NOTE: The most current updates from the Reopening Planning Committee for the Diocese of Peterborough follow below.
Worship Safe in Pictures and Points (A Summary)
Video - How to Worship Safely
As of October 2, 2020, the Ontario Provincial Regulation mandates the wearing of face masks in all public places including places of worship. This provincial regulation applies to the Cathedral and all parishes of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough.
Face Coverings / Face Masks, July 10, 2020, Updated September 28, 2020, July 16 2020, July 20, 2020, July 29, 2020
UPDATES FROM BISHOP MIEHM
Adapted Liturgical Text - Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Pandemic
Decree for Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Pandemic
Consecration of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough to Mary, Mother of the Church
Chrism Mass Homily - March 30, 2020
Decree for Holy Week and the Celebration of the Paschal Triduum
COGECO Sunday program on March 29, 2020
Message from Bishop Miehm - March 19, 2020
His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Miehm's Video Message about Reopening the Parishes
Letter from +His Excellency Most Reverend Bishop Miehm, June 10, 2020.
Letter from Most Reverend Bishop Miehm regarding the Reopening Process - May 19, 2020
End of Life Decision-Making and Advance Care Planning
Update #4 - March 30, 2020
Update #3 - March 24, 2020
Update #2 - March 17, 2020
Update #1 - March 13, 2020
Statement - March 6, 2020
ONGOING UPDATES FROM THE REOPENING PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE DIOCESE OF PETERBOROUGH
The use of a cantor at funerals and weddings is permitted now, so that those liturgies may be celebrated with more solemnity. This will also allow a greater and more sensitive pastoral response to families as they gather for these liturgies. It is crucial that the musician and cantor should practice safe physical distancing from each other and from the congregation while carrying out their ministry. Since singing projects droplets into the air with greater force than speaking, the restriction on congregational singing remains in force. It would be advisable to announce that at funerals and weddings so that people are reminded that this restriction remains in place for the well-being and safety of all.
No singing at daily Mass or Sunday Mass - only instrumental music that does not encourage singing.
Deacons will continue to refrain from ministry directly at the altar: that is, the deacon should not prepare the chalice or raise the chalice at the conclusion of the Eucharistic prayer. The deacon may proceed with other aspects of his liturgical ministry, i.e. proclaiming the Gospel, preaching when assigned, announcing invitations during the Mass, assisting in the distribution of Holy Communion. If it is the custom, the deacon may also do the general preparation of the altar after the Universal Prayer, provided he is at a sufficient physical distance from the priest.
For the Sacrament of Confirmation, a Decree has been issued by Most Reverend Bishop Miehm to delegate the conferral of the sacrament to the priests at the parish. Additionally, a Protocol for Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation during the Pandemic has been distributed for the priests to follow from August 6 to November 20, 2020. It is recommended that Confirmation take place outside of the Sunday Mass schedule in view of attendance restrictions.
Sacramental preparation for Confirmation is now available through your parish online. Click HERE for more information.
FACE COVERINGS AND MASKS
ORDERING OF MISSALS
There are no hymn books, paper copies, or items for sale available in the parishes. If the parish plans to order the Missals, please ensure that a process is in place for the touchless delivery of the Missal to the parishioner who is purchasing it. Copies available in the church for purchase with a place for payment is not touchless and will need to be reconsidered.
PARISH HALLS
This has been updated as of September 4, 2020. Click HERE for the Protocol for the Reopening of Parish Halls.
The Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario in collaboration with legal counsel and Catholic Mutual of Canada has indicated to the Diocese that for the time being, parish halls remain closed. Additionally, two parishes have parish halls located in school buildings. This presents a further challenge since it is unlikely that schools will be able to welcome community groups. It will take some patience and understanding to work through these matters and forbearance is appreciated. The province's limits on social gatherings apply to parish halls.
The Sacramental Preparation Committee is reviewing the sacramental preparation programs for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Eucharist, Confirmation, and Marriage. The committee members will be discussing these issues and providing options for the consideration of the Reopening Planning Committee.
Contact your parish and click on the links below for more information about sacramental preparation for these sacraments:
TELEVISED MASSES ON YourTV COGECO
Each week, the Sunday Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains is taped and broadcast from the YouTube channel for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough. Click HERE for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough YouTube channel.
STAGE 3 OF REOPENING
September 19, 2020: Social gathering limits across the whole province have been decreased and fines have been increased effective immediately.
- Social gatherings indoors have been restricted to 10 people.
- Social gatherings outdoors are now restricted to 25 people.
Premier Doug Ford announced that most of the province moved to Stage 3 as of Friday, July 17 at 12:01 a.m. and now all areas of the province are in Stage 3.
For places of worship, the provisions that were implemented in Stage 2 are unchanged. In Stage 3, continue to follow the Worship Safe reopening plan for the Diocese, the Orders from the local Health Unit, and the Registrar's Directive from the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.
Click June 15, 2020 Guideline for Places of Worship.
Click August 21, 2020 Guideline for Places of Worship.
The Diocesan Pastoral Centre and the Parish Offices as places of employment will move to Stage 3 which means that 75% of the employees may be on-site and that appointments with visitors can be made at the worksite. The precautions of reviewing the COVID-19 self-assessment with visitors and taking note of their information on the Contact Tracing Form remain in place. Also, staff will continue to physical distance, wash hands, and wear face masks where required by the Health Unit or where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
MASS VIDEO AVAILABLE ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Masses on the YouTube Channel for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough
LIVE-STREAMING OF THE MASS
Click HERE for the parish locations, dates, and times for the live-streaming of Masses.
RESOURCES
Catholicism in the Time of Coronavirus
WAY OF THE CROSS
The Way of the Cross is cancelled for this year due to the pandemic. Please click this link to view the At the Foot of the Cross, the Way of the Cross which was filmed in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough in 2016.
WE PRAY
ANOINTING OF THE SICK - Printable Version
POPE FRANCIS' PRAYER FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY