May 24, 2020

Churches begin to reopen in diocese with caution and faith

Staff report

SPRINGFIELD – St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield resumed the regular Mass schedule the weekend of May 23-24, after getting a green light from the reopening directives issued by Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on May 18. In “phase one” of the reopening plan, houses of worship were included with construction and manufacturing. Churches cannot exceed 40% of their capacity.

“So we are resuming the regular schedule,” said Msgr. Christopher Connelly, rector of St. Michael’s Cathedral.

“Bishop Rozanski will celebrate the 8:30 and 10 Masses. We will also resume the daily 12:10 Mass, beginning Monday. Parishioners are volunteering to serve as greeters, ushers, cleaners at every Mass. Pews are marked clearly for individuals, maintaining 6 feet distance, and seating is also designated for members of the same household. Masks are required unless a person is unable to wear one due to medical reasons,” Msgr. Connelly said.

In addition, parishes must adhere to safety guidelines issued by Springfield Bishop Mitchell T. Rozanski including:

• The omission of the Sign of Peace
• No Communion by the cup
• Communion in the hand only
• Holy Water fonts to remain empty and covered
• Social distancing (6 feet minimum) to be abided by at all times
• Parishes should limit the number of persons involved with liturgy to the priest, a deacon, lector, organist, and a cantor — no choir.
• Eucharistic ministers should only be used to the extent they are needed.

“Only one lector will use the pulpit at each Mass; no altar servers, no choirs during this time and limited use of extraordinary ministers of Communion. In short, my intent as we resume public Mass is to be sacred, simple, and safe,” Msgr. Connelly said.

Some parishes are waiting until the weekend of May 30-31 as many adjustments must be made to ensure all of the safety guidelines can be met.

“I understand everyone’s concerns about returning to Mass and at our parish, we are preparing with the utmost of caution to assure people’s safety and to help them feel comfortable and joyful if they can return to Mass at this time,” said Father Daniel Pacholec, pastor of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westfield. Father Pacholec and many other pastors in the Diocese of Springfield have been posting daily and weekend Masses on Facebook and on their parish websites throughout the pandemic.

Churches, non-essential businesses and schools have been closed since mid-March due to the stay-at-home advisory Baker issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic. The phased-in reopening allows for more businesses to open starting May 25, and in a few weeks, the state will enter “phase 2” which will ease even more restrictions.

Even though churches are now allowed to be open, Bishop Rozanski has extended “the dispensation from the obligation to attend weekend Mass” out of concern for the most vulnerable.

St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Springfield held weekend Masses May 24-25 in the church parking lot on Parker Street. People were asked to stay in their cars for the liturgy.

As pastors implement safety measures for parishioners, Father Pacholec said Catholics should not doubt that God is working through the pandemic which has brought with it isolation, loss, and fear.

“God has been and continues to be with us. We have this moment in time to answer the question Jesus asked Peter ‘Do you love me?’ And even if some can’t return to Mass yet, we are still able to answer the question with ‘Yes Lord, you know that we love you,’” Father Pacholec said.

More information about the safety guidelines can be found at www.diospringfield.org.