COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Precautions, Practices, and Resources

in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough

January 12, 2021

The obligation to attend Mass does not apply to those who are ill, especially those who suffer from a contagious illness. Those with flu-like symptoms should remain at home in order not to spread the virus to others.  

January 6, 2021

Effective January 7, 2021, +Most Rev. Bishop Miehm has given his permission for the celebration of Daily Mass in the parishes of the Diocese of Peterborough for a maximum of 10 people, including the celebrant, during the period of provincial lockdown because of COVID-19.

December 7, 2020

Memorial of St. Ambrose

Dear Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Peterborough,

As the season of Advent progresses, it is a time of longing and expectation like no other.  We continue to pray for health, wellbeing, and a return to normal life, but we know that the COVID-19 pandemic will be with us for a while still.

Since the re-opening of our churches in June we have worked diligently as clergy and parishioners, in partnership with public health officials, to implement our Worship Safe guidelines and ensure the health and welfare of our people.   I wish to thank you for your patience and your diligent efforts in this regard.  They have allowed our parishes to promote the spiritual lives of the faithful while also attending to their physical health.  As Catholics, we follow the prudent restrictions that are outlined in these protocols as a matter of good citizenship and as an exercise of our faith.  Moreover, they help us to fulfill the obligations of charity and justice toward our neighbour.

While a certain amount of pandemic fatigue is understandable, it is important for all of us to redouble our efforts to follow the Worship Safe protocols.   The Assembly of Ontario Bishops Worship Safe Committee has recently released some enhanced protocols to ensure the wellbeing of the people who come to our churches.   This is important as we head into the winter months and as we are seeing a great surge in the number of cases in our province.  We must be diligent about wearing masks at church and continue to practice safe physical distancing – at least 2 meters if not in the same household.   This allows us to have confidence in each other and assures the civil authorities that we are being responsible in what we are doing to follow public health guidelines here in our Diocese.

With the recent, dramatic increase in the number of cases in our province, I wish to reaffirm our stated policy on the reception of Communion.  Holy Communion must be received on the hand rather than the tongue during this time.  While reception on the tongue remains normative in our Church, it is good to recall that the practice of receiving on the hand is an ancient and venerable one.  As long ago as the 4th century, St. Cyril of Jerusalem wrote, “In approaching therefore, come not with your wrists extended or your fingers spread; but make your left hand a throne for the right, as for that which is to receive a King.”  I am aware that this is a sensitive matter for some. Canon law reminds us that the exercise of our rights in the Church must take account of the common good and our duty toward others (C. 223 §1).  Therefore, I ask that those whose practice is to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, set aside this right for the sake of others.  This practice of charity and fraternity will be an expression of who we are as the Church.  

It is also important that physical distancing be maintained during the procession for Holy Communion and that masks be worn – they are to be removed at the moment of reception using the straps, without touching the front of the mask. 

I thank you for your attention to and cooperation with these protocols which have been implemented for the wellbeing of all who come to our churches.  With you, I pray for an end to this pandemic with the hopes that we might return to a more typical celebration of the Mass sometime in 2021. 

May God bless you abundantly in this joyful Advent and Christmas time, and may you and your family members be safe and well.

Yours in Christ,

+Most. Rev. Daniel Miehm

Bishop of Peterborough

GUIDANCE FOR THE CHRISTMAS MASSES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF OUT-OF-TOWN VISITORS  

It is anticipated that the Christmas festivities will look a little different this year.   However, what remains constant is the joy with which we welcome the celebration of Jesus' Birth. 

The regional Health Units have affirmed that celebrating Christmas with your immediate household is the safest option, and everyone has been encouraged to think twice about visits with people living in areas of high transmission. Plainly, the Health Units say that the best advice is to avoid non-essential travel, especially to and from areas of high transmission to areas of low transmission, and to find other ways to celebrate this year.    

However, no one who has pre-registered for a Mass at a parish or who arrives at a parish where the seating capacity of 30% has not been reached, will be turned away.  All are welcome as possible given the capacity restrictions in place for our churches.  

There is a dispensation in place from the obligation to attend Mass.  If you are concerned about your health, have travelled outside of the country in the past 14 days, are feeling unwell, experiencing a symptom associated with COVID-19 or awaiting a COVID-19 test result, it is important to stay at home and to consider praying with the Mass broadcast on television or through social media. 

These provisions are intended to safeguard good health: 

• Follow the designation of doors for entering and exiting at the church. 

• Sanitize your hands thoroughly and frequently. 

• Sit in an area where you have a 6-foot or 2-meter circumference of distance from others. 

• Wear a face mask.  If you cannot wear the face mask due to a medical exemption, consider a face shield. 

• When lining up to receive Holy Communion, wear your face mask, keep 6-feet/2-metres of distance from others and receive Holy Communion in the hand. 

• Provide your contact information for the purpose of contact tracing. 

Should the church's capacity limit be reached and it is not permissible to seat more people in the church, your understanding and patience are appreciated.  We encourage you to consider watching the televised Mass from the Cathedral of St. Peter-in-Chains on Cogeco YourTV or other broadcasts on Salt & Light TV, EWTN, Shalom World TV, Daily TV Mass, Catholic TV, and Vatican Media Live. 

Let us heed the advice we have received, follow the practices we have put in place, and continue to look after one another this Christmas. 

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

Bishop Miehm's Statement about the Provincial Shutdown, December 22, 2020

Letter from Bishop Miehm - December 7, 2020

Update - November 10, 2020

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

Easter Sunday Mass Livestream

Easter Message - Letter

Easter Message Video

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

GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO FRAMEWORK FOR HEALTH MEASURES

The Government of Ontario has a new framework for the description of COVID-19 health precautions.  The Health Unit in each area will determine the level of risk and accordingly, the health precautions to be put in place.

The Framework has five levels: Green – prevent, Yellow – protect, Orange – restrict, Red – control and Lockdown.  A description of the five stages in the framework follows. It is the authority and responsibility of the local Health Unit to determine and monitor the stage for their regional jurisdiction. 

As of December 11, 2020, these designations apply. Check with the local Health Unit for changes after that date. 

Red

Durham 

(https://www.durham.ca/en/health-and-wellness/novel-coronavirus-update.aspx) 

Simcoe-Muskoka 

(https://www.simcoemuskokahealth.org/Topics/COVID-19) 

Organized religious services, rites, and ceremonies 

• Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services: 
• 30% capacity of the room indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 

Meeting and event spaces 

• Maximum of 10 people per facility indoors or 25 outdoors 
• Require contact information for all people 
• Limit of 4 people may be seated together 
• Limit volume of music to be low enough that a normal conversation is possible 
• A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request 

Yellow 

Peterborough 

(https://www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-framework-response/) 

Hastings-Prince Edward 

(https://www.ontario.ca/page/covid-19-response-framework-keeping-ontario-safe-and-open#yellow )  

Haliburton Kawartha Pineridge 

(https://www.hkpr.on.ca/2020/12/04/current-colour-code-for-local-covid-19-restrictions-2/)  

Organized religious services, rites and ceremonies 

• Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services: 
• 30% capacity of the room indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 

 Meeting and event spaces 

• Capacity limits: 
• 50 people indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 
• religious services, rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services: 
•  30% capacity of the room indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 
• Booking multiple rooms for the same event not permitted 
• Maximum of 50 people per room indoors, where physical distancing can be maintained if venue operates in accordance with the approved plan from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Guidance for Meeting and Event Facilities During COVID-19) 
• Require contact information for all people 
• Limit of 6 people may be seated together 
• Limit volume of music to be low enough that a normal conversation is possible 
• A safety plan is required to be prepared and made available upon request  

Green 

North Bay Parry Sound 

https://www.myhealthunit.ca/en/index.asp 

Organized religious services, rites and ceremonies 

• Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services: 
• 30% capacity of the room indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 

Meeting and event spaces 

• Capacity limits: 
• 50 people indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 
• Booking multiple rooms for the same event not permitted 
• Maximum of 50 people per room indoors if venue operates in accordance with the approved plan from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (Guidance for Meeting and Event Facilities During COVID-19) 
• Limits for religious services rites or ceremonies, including wedding services and funeral services apply if held in meeting and event spaces: 
• 30% capacity of the room indoors 
• 100 people outdoors 

SINGING AT MASS

Permission is now given for the use of a single cantor at Mass.

• Group singing is still strongly discouraged.
• Anyone singing or playing wind or brass instruments should be 2 metres from anyone else and separated by an impermeable barrier. If an impermeable barrier is not used, anyone singing or playing wind or brass instruments should be separated from any other person (outside of the same household or social circle) to the greatest extent possible (but at least 2 metres).

For more information, see: COVID-19 Advice: Religious Services, Rites or Ceremonies, Ministry of Health, August, 2020.

PARISH BULLETINS AND OFFERTORY ENVELOPES

Parishes may prepare paper parish bulletins effective immediately and plan a touchless way to make parish bulletins available to parishioners.   Similarly, for the distribution of offertory envelopes, parishes will do so in a manner that avoids touching and the gathering of people around a table.

SUNDAY MISSALS AND MISSALETTES

Parishes can order missals and/or missalettes for parishioners and plan a touchless way to deliver the missals/missalettes.  If the parish orders missals/missalettes, follow the same guidelines as noted above for parish bulletins and offertory envelopes.  Advise parishioners that paper items left in the church during the pandemic will be collected and put in the recycle bin.   

Parishioners can order the Living with Christ missalette through this weblink or by calling 1-514-523-6222.

SALE OF GOODS AT THE PARISHES

Please do not host or hold events for the purpose of selling items such as but not limited to Christmas cards, calendars, Holy Land items, etc.  Any such items not essential to the operation of our parishes should not be sold at this time.

PARISH HALLS, EVENTS, AND SOCIAL GATHERINGS

Hold on gatherings and events

In order to support provincial recommendations and provide increased protection for our community, Peterborough Public Health is advising that short-term events, such as craft shows, running races, and hobby shows, be suspended until further notice. These events tend to promote gathering and draw attendees from both near and far for non-essential purposes.

Our request to suspend any approvals of these types of events is in line with O. Reg. 364/20, Schedule 1 Section 2 - (2) The person responsible for a business or organization that is open shall operate the business or organization in compliance with the advice, recommendations and instructions of public health officials, including any advice, recommendations or instructions on physical distancing, cleaning or disinfecting.

Additionally, as we move into the holiday season, we will not be approving any applications for parades, unless they are modified to meet the Regulation.

Source: Peterborough City and County Health Unit, November 9, 2020.

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:

Sacrament of Confirmation

Sacrament of Marriage

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

PRAYER RESOURCES 

TELEVISED DAILY MASS

RESOURCES FOR MASS

PRAYER FOR A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

HOLY WEEK AT HOME, 2020