ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF CALGARY
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder
Picture

Updates on Gathering #COVID19

5/6/2020

18 Comments

 
Date: May 26, 2020

Catholics will be allowed to take their first steps back to church for Mass in June under new guidelines issued by the Roman Catholic Bishops of Alberta.
​
The Guidelines for the Reintroduction of the Public Celebration of Holy Mass  were developed by a task force the Bishops established under the direction of Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton and Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary. The document follows the recent release of the Alberta government’s Guidance for Places of Public Worship as part of Stage 1 of the provincial relaunch strategy, as well as consultations with Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and other experts.

Parishes that have made the necessary preparations will be able to begin offering weekday masses on Monday, June 1, the Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church; and Sunday masses as of June 7, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. In order to protect the health of parishioners, volunteers, staff and clergy, the Bishops have set a detailed list of conditions that must be met before congregants can safely be invited back to Mass. These include:
  • Limiting the total number of participants at each Mass to 50, or fewer if that is required to ensure physical distancing
  • Asking attendees to answer a series of health and travel-related questions as recommended by Alberta Health Services
  • Recording contact information of attendees for the purpose of contact tracing if necessary
  • Sanitizing hands upon entry and exit
  • Requiring masks for all volunteers and encouraging attendees also to wear masks
  • Observing physical distancing throughout the celebration
  • Extra cleaning of the church between masses.

Congregants will be able to receive Holy Communion in the form of the consecrated bread, but there will be no distribution of consecrated wine. Communicants will need to wear a mask to approach for Holy Communion, as will the priest when he is distributing it.

During this first stage, singing during Mass will not be allowed, as this activity has been shown to spread respiratory droplets that can infect others with the COVID-19 coronavirus. And any socializing after Mass will have to take place outside, still observing the physical distancing protocol.

The guidelines will apply broadly to the Archdiocese of Edmonton, Archdiocese of Grouard-McLennan, Diocese of Calgary, and Diocese of St. Paul. Some particulars will vary in each diocese, so parishes  should consult the guidelines for their own diocese.

Parish priests will be busy in the coming days preparing for the return of congregants in small numbers. However, since parishes vary greatly in terms of facilities and resources, it is likely that not all will be able to resume public masses in the first week of June. Parishioners are encouraged to check their parish website for local information.

It has been two months since public celebrations of the Mass were cancelled in Alberta. The full reinstatement of public masses will take place gradually, in parallel with the provincial relaunch strategy.

“The return of our people to the Eucharist after all this time will be a moment of great joy for both priests and parishioners, but there is still a long way to go,” said Archbishop Smith. “We will need to demonstrate that we have succeeded in providing a safe environment for Mass with small groups before we can proceed to the next stage and open masses to larger groups. For that reason, we ask once more for your patience, understanding, and prayers as we take these first steps forward.” 

  • Watch Bishop McGrattan's Video Message, Pastoral Letter and the Guidelines for the Reintroduction of the Public Celebration of Mass.

===================
​
Date: May 15, 2020

The Catholic Bishops of Alberta remain committed to the gradual reinstatement of public celebrations of the Mass and welcome the recent release of the Guidance for Places of Public Worship document as part of the provincial government’s relaunch strategy. These guidelines are being carefully considered by the task force that the Bishops have established under the direction of Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton and Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary. 

The task force is drafting for the Bishops a set of directives for the gradual reintroduction of Masses in public. The Bishops will present these to Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health. The proposed directives will take into consideration the information that will be received from the Telephone Town Hall with the Premier and the Chief Medical Officer scheduled for Thursday, May 21. No date will be set for the resumption of public liturgies in our Catholic churches and institutions until the Bishops are satisfied that their own directives can be fully and properly implemented.

Any announcement of the date for the gradual reintroduction will be made at least five days before the first scheduled Mass. Parishes by then will have received diocesan guidelines which help ensure the safety of everyone.

“It is critical that we understand the risks and take steps in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 through prudent planning,” said Bishop McGrattan. “The health and safety of our parishioners, priests, and church staff are of utmost importance. Each and every life is a precious gift from God, and we are called to do everything in our power to protect them. This has been a tremendous sacrifice on the part of the faithful who strongly desire to celebrate the Eucharist in their parish communities. We are grateful for their cooperation, their patient endurance, and especially for their prayers.”

===================
Date: May 6, 2020
​
In preparation for the lifting of some restrictions on gatherings in public places in Alberta, the Catholic Bishops of Alberta are working to develop a plan for the eventual reinstatement of public celebrations of the Mass. The Bishops have established a task force under the direction of Archbishop Richard Smith of Edmonton and Bishop William McGrattan of Calgary. The mandate of this task force is to discern when  and how this gradual reinstatement will be initiated. Their consideration will continue to be informed by the advice of Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer of Health and the provincial government’s 
staged COVID-19 recovery plan.
​
“We are acutely aware of our parishioners’ fervent desire to return to the Eucharist, and we share their concern,” said Archbishop Smith. “Our careful discernment now will ensure that when the time comes, we will be ready to begin inviting the faithful back to the churches they miss so much. We are extremely grateful to all those who have made great sacrifices in the common effort to protect our brothers and sisters by preventing the spread of COVID-19.”
Picture
18 Comments
Ross Moore
5/8/2020 12:10:22 pm

To whom it may concern,
I've found that the response has been disappointing at best. Many feel abandoned and it is time that we had some clarity as to when we can return to the sacraments.
Alberta is not Ontario or Quebec.
This has been with us for a lot longer than we've known about.
We still have flights coming in from hot spots throughout the entire pandemic.
Open the Churches, open the sacraments!
If this is the new normal, then I would rather go and get covid-19, because I'd rather be dead than live with this Orwellian response.
Time to give us a real response please.
Sincerely,
Ross Moore

Reply
Mary
5/10/2020 09:48:39 pm

When can we expect an announcement about moving forward? We need the Sacraments!

Reply
Lisa
5/11/2020 06:44:58 am

Just wondering why our parish bulletin mentioned making mask wearing mandatory? It’s not a mandate from Alberta, it’s completely voluntary.

Reply
Veronica Marie Rochford
5/14/2020 10:46:13 am

Although on May 14th restrictions are lifted from "places of worship," gatherings of more than 15 people are still not permitted. This continues to prohibit the Celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for parish communities, regardless of the fact that some church spaces could accommodate social distancing. So God's people continue to be without the Mass.

Reply
Jeanne Wagner
5/14/2020 02:45:17 pm

As much as we all miss participation in live Eucharistic celebration we must support the health and safety of all priests, workers and parishioners. I appreciate all that the diocese is doing to keep communities together, active and safe. 🙏❤️

Reply
Bruce Moore
5/15/2020 01:43:53 pm

+iHs+

Your excellency, Bishop McGratten,

I would first like to acknowledge and thank you for sometimes allowing 14 people at a time into some of the churches in Calgary, along with access to the Sacrament of Confession. It is a great help and something for which you are worthy of my thanks.

I am sure you will not be publishing this comment as it does not match with your game plan of doing whatever our political masters and health officials suggest. Even if they do not mandate it.

While you patiently await their full and unequivocal approval prior to allowing my family and myself to return to assist at Mass, my family suffers. Suffers the lesson that our Bishop, the successor of the apostles thinks that a disease that can kill 1 in 500 who contract it is more worthy of consideration. than the damage of with-holding the Mass. One might even conclude that you may share in the view that the Mass is not essential. How could it be essential if it doesn't even bear questioning the decision. A decision made by the same political leaders who while deeming the Catholic faith to be non-essential, deem marijuana, abortion, and euthanasia to be essential.

Would you care to hear about the real pain, suffering, and danger you are exposing all of the 15 members of my family to? Would you care to hear of the loss of trust that our priests and Bishops real care for our spiritual welfare more than earthly dangers. Fear not those who can kill the body, but rather fear those who can drag you body and soul into hell.

Have you considered the spiritual dangers you are exposing 99.8% of your flock who need the grace that we can only get from our Blessed Lord in the Eucharist. And what of the message you are sending to the other 0.2%? That while they face death and judgement, the Catholic Faith cannot be an important consideration in the face of impending and immortal doom should they not be found in a state of grace?

When will you stop being a sheep and start being a shepherd while you flock is being scattered?

Know that we will remember to pray for your courage, strength, wisdom, and counsel.

I am not hopeful that you will take the time to speak with me, but just in case, my phone number is 403 813-2429.

One of your flock.

Bruce Moore


https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/benito-quesada-cargill-covid-1.5566758

Reply
Pilar Rodríguez de la vega
5/16/2020 09:09:20 am

Thank you for all your hard work and payers

Reply
Milan Matusik
5/16/2020 10:00:27 am

Dear Bishop,

I never saw such a quick collapse of the Catholic clergy in front of the Caesar since my days in my that time Communist Fatherland. At least they had a "valid excuse". A real gun pointed to their heads. Yes, many put their life on the line and many lost it. What is your excuse? You FAILED your flock miserable modernist globalist pretenders, servants/slaves of Caesar you are.

Deus Vult

Milan
403 703-6457

Reply
Romuald Pereira
5/16/2020 02:07:30 pm

Under the present circumstances, it will be impossible to accommodate the faithful for the masses on Saturday and Sunday. Can the Church not mandate the weekly obligation Day to be any one day in the week. Anyway masses are celebrated every day of the week. It might be something to consider even after the COVID 19 era as it will increase Church attendance and there will be less need for bigger churches and bigger parking lots. Apparently everything around us is changing so rapidly!

Reply
Marilyn Dy
5/16/2020 04:22:37 pm

Thank you for making us safe! Though we are very eager to come and have regular mass, we understand what need to be done in order for everybody to be safe. Praying for all those people involve to find a solution.

Reply
David Cavilla
5/17/2020 02:55:52 pm

The assertion that singing is a hazardous activity and shall not be permitted should be stringently opposed. This is based on anecdotal evidence and lacks concrete support in the medical literature. By the way, what steps are being discussed for the distribution of the Eucharist?

Reply
David Cavilla
5/19/2020 08:58:59 pm

Just wondering why my reply from a couple of days ago hadn’t been posted?

Reply
Marcella Cameron
5/20/2020 09:52:04 am

Thank you for making it possible for us to attend Mass virtually.
Prayers your way in your plans for reopening in a safe and respectful way. We miss our church community very much, and long to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. Thank you for making Education Week special for all believers.

Reply
Veronica Rochford
5/20/2020 06:05:17 pm

Has the Bishops' Task Force read and considered the "legal warning letter" of John Carpay, BA, LLB, President of the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, to the Alberta Government's Guidelines for Houses of Worship? The letter may be accessed in the LifeSiteNews article, "Legal group warns Alberta government for 'singling out' houses of worship in Covid reopening plan," May 19, 2020.

Reply
Karen
5/21/2020 10:02:47 am

- "Each and every life" matters: certainly, and context matters too. In 2018, there were 27,000 deaths in Alberta and so far this year, fewer than 200 attributed to covid. And what of the collateral consequences -- suicide, drug overdoses, untreated illnesses, delayed tests and surgeries, domestic violence, etc., are all claiming victims...sadly, silent victims. Where are the daily updates, tallies, charts and graphs for these precious gifts from God? Who will be their voice?

- The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. The posture of waiting quietly and patiently and acting gradually does not seem to be in harmony with this core Catholic belief. 

- Places of worship are an essential service. Living our faith and gathering as Church is a God-given right, reflected in Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Alberta's human rights legislation. How did we get to this place where receiving a burger from the local fast food establishment is essential but receiving the Eucharist is not? We must take steps to make sure never again are places of worship treated as non-essential by our civic, provincial and federal authorities.  

- Creativity and urgency -- it should be a matter of how the Eucharist and other sacraments are available for the faithful...not if and when. All the many weeks we could have been using parking lots and other outdoor spaces and gathering for Mass, even if just 15 faithful at a time.  

- Sensus Fidelium -- another important teaching of the Church that should be our guiding light at this time of crisis. The faithful should be much more involved in the conversation and process of managing this crisis, not just receivers of communications on what has been decided. 

- Parish and diocesan staff are much more than employees. Treating staff as any business would in an economic crisis will result in long lasting harm for that special relationship -- which was and should be much more than an employment contract. This principle extends to paid and unpaid workers of the Church.

- Be Not Afraid -- St. John Paul II proclaimed these words many times throughout his pontificate. We as Church, need to be guided and live by these words now, more than ever.

Reply
Carol Henker
5/24/2020 09:46:00 am

Hello, Thank you for the broadcasting of the Masses each Sunday. It is a gift.
As others are, I am concerned with the way our participation at Mass might be, once the quarantine is lifted.
I want to share a situation that was in effect at the Catholic church in Sechelt, BC. during the fall of 1986. We were living there for a short while, and the Precious Blood, in the chalice, was received by taking one's Host, and then slightly dipping the edge only into the Precious Blood. If done properly, there is certainly no drip or is there anyone's fingers contaminating it. This seemed, at the time, the very best way to receive without sharing any germs. I have always thought this would be a good and safer method with so many people sharing, and have wondered for years why it wasn't the norm in other parishes. Just sharing my thoughts here. God Bless you.
Sincerely, Carol Henker Claresholm

Reply
David Cavilla
5/24/2020 04:21:16 pm

What’s with the requirement for recording the names of congregants who attend? I don’t plan on giving out that information as a condition of attending Mass. Nor should anyone else in a supposedly “free and democratic society”. What is being done to oppose this?

David Cavilla, Lethbridge

Reply
Karen
5/26/2020 06:55:22 am

Please update per june 1 opening. Not fair to leave the people in the dark.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Catholic Pastoral Centre Staff and Guest Writers

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018

    Categories

    All
    Advent & Christmas
    Art
    Bereavement
    Bishop Emeritus Henry
    Bishop McGrattan
    Book Review
    Care For Creation
    Catechetics
    Catholic Charities & Development
    Catholic Education
    Catholic Schools
    CCCB
    Christian Unity
    Climate Change
    Conversion
    Covid 19
    Culture
    Development & Peace
    Devotions
    Diocesan Event
    Discipleship
    Ecumenical
    Elizabeth House
    Environment
    Euthanasia
    Evangelization
    Faithful Living
    Faithfully
    Family
    Feed The Hungry
    From The Bishop's Office
    Fundraising
    Funeral
    Grieving
    Health Care
    Homelessness
    Indigenous
    In Memoriam
    Interfaith
    Jubilarians
    Lay Associations
    Lent
    Lent & Easter
    Liturgy
    Marriage
    Mary
    Mental Health
    Migrants
    Miscarriage
    Mission Mexico
    Movie Review
    Music
    One Rock
    Online Formation
    Ordination
    Parenting
    Parish Life
    Pastoral Care
    Permanent Diaconate
    Pope
    Pope Francis
    Prayer
    Pray For Peace
    Priesthood
    Prolife
    RCIA
    Reconciliation
    Refugee
    Religious Education
    Religious Freedom
    Religious Life
    Resources And Guidelines
    Safe Environment
    Saints
    Scripture & Reflection
    Seniors
    Social Justice
    Stewardship
    St. Joseph
    Synod
    Vocation
    Youth And Young Adults
    Youth Ministry

    RSS Feed

GET TO KNOW US
Our Bishop
Offices & Ministries
​Our Staff
Read our Blog
Catholic Community
​Lay Associations
CONNECT WITH US
Contact us
​Careers
​Parish Boundaries

News & Events
Faithfully

​Reporting Abuse
NEED INFO ON
Becoming Catholic
Marriage Preparation
​Vocations
Annulment 
Sacraments Prep
Catholic Funeral
GIVE TO
Diocesan Ministries
Together in Action
Feed the Hungry
Elizabeth House
Your Parish Church​ 
​Other Ministry

Catholic Pastoral Centre  | 120 - 17th Ave SW, Calgary, AB  T2S 2T2 | ​Phone: 403-218-5500 | communications@calgarydiocese.ca
Charitable Number: 
10790-9939-RR0076​. Donate Now.
  • Blog
  • About
  • Give
  • News & Events
  • Ministries
  • Contact Us
  • Parish Finder