COVID-19
Updates

Last updated March 12, 2021

Click here for online Mass registration.

A clarification on the moral and ethical use of COVID-19 Vaccines by Catholics.

Lent is not too far away, and not knowing what the COVID situation will be at that time, it may be a good idea to to pre-register for the Ash Wednesday Masses. Click here for online Ash Wednesday Mass registration.

If you wish to attend a weekend Mass at the Basilica or St. Andrew’s during the Orange Phase, you MUST register each week, either on line or by phone; we cannot automatically register those of you who regularly attend certain Masses because there are more than 50 people who regularly do attend. The fairest and
easiest way is for you to register each week beginning after the Sunday 5:30pm Mass until Friday noon. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Orange Level, January 5, 2021, Letter
from Bichop Riesbeck

Orange Addendum January 5, 2021

Mandatory Order January 5, 2021

Archives

Masks in Places of Worship – FAQ

Diocesan Operational Protocols for
Masses – Addendum

Faith venues can continue to be open as long as one metre of distance is maintained, and everyone is wearing a mask. Masks must be worn, and two metres of distance must be in place, for singing to be permitted – otherwise, no singing is allowed.

Note that singing is only permitted when masked AND the two metre distance is maintained.

A blog post with an interesting perspective of the COVID-19 affect on parishes as opportunity to evangelize.

COVID: A Catalyst for Change or Door to Demise for the Catholic Church?

Masks are now MANDATORY at all times within the church as per the most recent Mandatory Order from the province.

PLEASE NOTE: if you plan to attend ANY particular Mass, you are asked to bring a piece of paper with your name and phone number, and the names of everybody coming with you. A can or a box will be at each of the entrances for you to put the papers in. We will keep the papers for at least a month in case contact traces need to be performed. NOTE: you are asked to bring this information to EACH AND EVERY Mass you attend. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

As people arrive for Mass you are asked to follow all the instructions of the ushers. The ushers will be checking names so contact traces can be made if necessary (we are required to maintain a record of people entering our buildings), and they will be guiding you to the pews and for Communion, and at the end of Mass for the dismissal. Given the need for social distancing, and the limit to the number of people permitted to enter the churches (a limit taking into account space and the requirement for Social Distancing), people will be seated in the first available pew from the front as they arrive – this eliminates the need to walk around in search of an empty pew which are not so easy to spot due to the spacing.

If there are members of your ‘Family and Friends Bubble’ who will be arriving later, please indicate this information to the ushers.

You are asked to remain in your pew at all times until
directed to move by an usher. Please note: public washrooms are closed.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

NOTE VERY WELL: Please do NOT leave items in the pews – bulletins, missals, missalettes, tissues (especially used ones), if you bring it to the pew, then you are asked to take it home or place it in a proper waste receptacle.

During the current phase of COVID-19 precautions we are limited to the number of participants the churches can hold while RESPECTING PHYSICAL DISTANCING.

PLEASE NOTE: For any and all Masses you will be attending, you are asked to bring a piece of paper with your name and phone number in case contact traces need to be made; place the information in the provided can/box at the entrances to the churches.

For those not attending Mass, but wishing to receive Communion, prior to coming to the church, you must participate in the LIVE celebration of Mass FOR THAT DAY on line or on TV, otherwise you must recite the Confiteor (“I confess to Almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters,…), the Lord’s Prayer and the prayer at Invitation to Communion (“Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof,…”) prior to reception of Communion. Shut-ins are asked to call the office to arrange for a timer they can receive a visit.

Parishioners are required to wear masks at all times within the church buildings, except those who are medically exempt. Those under
the age of two, those who would have difficulty removing their own masks, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions which would make wearing a mask difficult (such as severe asthma sufferers), are DISCOURAGED from wearing masks.

Currently, Catholics are dispensed from the canonical obligation to attend Mass on Sunday, so if you are concerned for your health, please stay home; also, if you are experiencing ANY cold or flu symptoms, please stay home.

God Bless you all, and stay well.