Our Parish

Dear Parishioners,

Statement of the Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington Lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass

We, the Catholic Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington, give thanks to Almighty God for the progress our country has made in curbing the coronavirus pandemic. The average number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to decline due to the observance of safety protocols and the increase of the availability of the vaccine. At this time, many places in our region are enjoying a return to some sense of normalcy. Therefore, we are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington and reinstating that obligation beginning on Saturday, June 26, 2021, and Sunday, June 27, 2021. We welcome and encourage the Faithful to return to full in-person participation of the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 1246-1247, and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus, or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult his or her local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 1245 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2181).  Safety protocols and other liturgical directives in each diocese remain in effect until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop.    Let us continue to be united in prayer for one another and for an end to the global pandemic.  Given on June 2, 2021  Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory  Archbishop, Archdiocese of Washington Most Reverend William E. Lori  Archbishop, Archdiocese of Baltimore  Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge  Bishop, Diocese of Arlington  Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout Bishop, Diocese of Richmond Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan  Bishop, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston Most Reverend William Francis Malooly Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Wilmington

 

On behalf of Bishop Burbidge, thank you for your perseverance during the past fourteen months.  By God’s grace, we are near the end of this pandemic as the total number of new cases in Virginia was only 236 – down from a height of 10,000 in January.  Because of these significant improvements, the Commonwealth is lifting nearly all of it guidelines on May 28^th. 

Executive Order (EO) 79 provides guidelines on masks in accordance with the CDC’s recent modification for those who are vaccinated. The Executive Order also terminates EO 72 (7^th amendment), which had extensive guidelines for various sectors. The termination of EO 72 effectively eliminates social distancing and occupancy restrictions. 

In response to these significant changes, Bishop Burbidge is lifting various guidelines enacted across the Diocese effective May 28. The changes are as follows:

• Bishop Burbidge encourages all parishes to return to pre-COVID schedules for Masses, Adoration, and access to the Parish
• No occupancy limits on Mass attendance
• No social distancing
• No disinfecting or cleaning between Masses as expected during the pandemic
• At the pastor’s discretion, live-streamed Masses may still be offered out of solicitude for the homebound 
• As for face coverings
  • Fully vaccinated persons no longer need to wear a mask in any setting
  • Unvaccinated persons are encouraged to wear face coverings per EO 79
  • Priests should not inquire into the vaccination status of parishioners
  • Priests should not bar parishioners not wearing masks from entering church buildings or the Mass
• At this time, Communion should continue under the Precious Body only
• The use of full Choirs may return to Mass
• The following liturgical elements that were suspended during the pandemic may now be reintroduced:
  • Holy water
  • Procession
  • Collection
  • Offertory procession
  • The sign of peace (without physical contact between non-family members)

If a parishioner has any concerns regarding these changes and/or timeline and wishes to make a particular exception, please contact me. 

Additional details will be provided in the updated guidelines. 

Again, we are thankful to God for the imminent return to normal.  There will be many questions as we make this transition.  We ask for your patience as we work through this together. 

The Mass audio will be played through the exterior speakers of the church. You can sit anywhere within 100 feet of the church and still clearly hear the Mass, so feel free to bring some lawn chairs and celebrate Mass outside.

• The Mass audio will also be broadcast around the church on 105.1 FM. 
  • The reception in the parking lot is good overall, but there are spots where it is not. Test your reception as you find your parking space. We ask that the front parking spaces be reserved for those who are attending Mass from their car.

Please call or email if you have any questions.

 All questions, concerns, suggestions are welcome.

Your Servant in Christ,

Fr. Staples