EASING OF COVID RESITRICTIONS - MARCH 11, 2022

The Week of April 4th, 2022

COVID RESTRICTIONS continue to ease in the province, Bishop Gary Gordon has consulted with members of the Diocesan Health Care Committee and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission about the directives that were put into place over the course of the pandemic, to determine which could be changed and which need to continue. The pandemic is not over, and our Christian faith requires us to guide our actions out of a charity and concern for the well-being of others. The key updates include: · Face coverings must be worn by priests and deacons when in close proximity to people during sacraments; during processions through the congregation; while greeting people before and after mass; and when distributing Holy Communion · Face coverings must also be worn by other ministers of Communion while distributing Communion · Face coverings are strongly recommended for all people while in church buildings, especially for those who come into close proximity to others, and while participating in congregational singing · There may be more than one lector for the Proclamation of the Word and the intercessory prayers · The offertory procession of the gifts for the altar may resume, provided the bread and wine remain covered both before and during the procession The Directives and Prevention Plan are also available online at https://www.rcdvictoria.org/ news/responsetocovid19-0.

A COVID-19 UPDATE FROM THE DIOCESE 

March 14 2020

As we continue to monitor the effects of COVID-19 in Canada, we must be diligent in our efforts to lessen the potential spread of the virus. We know that the well-being of your loved ones are the most important concern for you during this time.    We want to let you know that we are monitoring the situation closely, and we believe that the risk of COVID-19 adversely affecting our parishes remains low. However, some of the things that we can do to anticipate and minimize the possible spread of the virus are:

   1. Remain vigilant about hand hygiene, and avoid unnecessary contact (hand shaking, hugging etc.)

   2. Out of consideration for the well-being of others in the community, the elderly, anyone with an underlying health condition, and those who feel even remotely unwell are excused from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass.

   3. If parishioners have access to television or the internet, those who remain at home may watch Mass at https://dailytvmass.com/ or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/dailytvmass  or on VisionTV.

   4. In order to reduce social isolation, I encourage everyone to find ways to mobilize people to make phone calls to those who must remain at home, and to provide services such as delivering food and necessary items. Being in regular contact with other parishioners will alleviate loneliness for the homebound.

   5. Social gatherings such as pancake breakfasts, pot lucks, buffets, etcetera, that are not essential to the congregation should be suspended until COVID-19 passes. 

   6. Practice social distancing (2 metres apart) as much as possible.

The situation is fluid and subject to rapid change. We will continue to stay informed, and will share relevant information with you as it is released to us. We continue to pray for one another, those who are sick, and for our whole society that we may live in charity, be free of anxiety, that our gracious God will bring a swift end to COVID-19, and grant us strength in these challenging times. 

LETTER FROM 

BISHOP GARY GORDON

COVID - 19 MEASURES UPDATE

as of 18 March 2020