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May 15, 2021 - Covid-19 Update

December 21, 2024

Covid-19 Update

May 14, 2021

Dear fellow St. Boniface parishioners,

Be glad and rejoice! Not only is Christ risen, but we are experiencing a resurrection of our own as a community of faith. The threat of Covid-19 is finally receding, and Bishop Persico is
relaxing some of the restrictions put in place because of it. I am writing to update you on some exciting changes we will see in our church effective immediately:

● The use of all pews will be permitted with no restrictions on church capacity. No more
tape on the pews!

● Those who have received a Covid-19 vaccine will no longer be required to wear masks! Those who have not received the vaccine are strongly encouraged to continue to wear a
mask in the church or office. That said, no one should take it on him or herself to police the wearing of masks. No one will be required to present proof of a vaccine at St.
Boniface, nor should anyone look down on or treat anyone disrespectfully who has not received a vaccine. We are all honest and charitable people, and I have full confidence
that we will continue to be regarding this issue.

● The entrance procession and the recession at the end of Mass will be permitted. No more of my having to sneak out through the faculty lounge to greet you after Mass!

● The choir is permitted to return, just in time to put our personal hymnals to full use!

● We will be permitted to exchange the sign of peace personally again, though it will only be verbally with no physical contact. No more having to whisper the sign of peace to
people around you when I turn my back to go to the tabernacle! Yeah, I knew you were doing that, I just never said anything.

While we celebrate the relaxation of some restrictions, others remain in effect until further
notice:

● Social distancing between non-family members is encouraged.

● No holy water font is permitted.

● No distribution of the Precious Blood at Communion is permitted.

● No hymnals, books, Mass cards, or other shared materials are permitted in the pews. Personal hymnals are fine. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, please pick one up in the
gathering space and bring it with you to Mass each Sunday.

● No offertory collection by the ushers or offertory procession is permitted. The collection basket will remain near the angel at the entrance of the church. We also continue to
accept offerings in the lock-box outside the church’s main entrance, at the office, by mail, and online. Thank you for your incredibly generous support always, and thank you to our
ushers for their patience!

● All are still encouraged to receive Communion by hand, though the right to receive Communion on the tongue is still respected. All people receiving Communion by hand
are encouraged to use hand sanitizer before doing so, either your own or at the hand sanitizer stations in the main aisle.

● The bishop still recommends that common surfaces (those frequently touched by more than one person) be wiped down with disinfectant after Masses and other church
services. We cannot thank enough the crew of volunteers who have so graciously taken this task on themselves and ask them to please continue to do so. We also invite others
to consider supporting this effort by volunteering yourselves. It only takes a few minutes after Mass, but it is so appreciated.

Just a few final points to keep in mind:

● The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation remains in effect. Those who for health reasons still deem it inopportune to
attend Mass in person are urged to fulfill their Sunday obligation, keeping the Lord’s Day holy (which does remain in effect), by participating in Mass remotely.

● Anyone who is not feeling well or is experiencing symptoms that may be consistent with Covid-19 should stay home and not attend Mass in person.

Everyone needs to make his or her own health decisions. It has warmed this old pastor’s heart to see so many parishioners returning to Mass, but no one should feel pressured to do so
before you are ready. When you are ready (notice I said “when”, not “if”), we’ll be here, ready to welcome you back to your spiritual home at St. Boniface, and, if I can help you in any way, please just let me know.

Peace in Christ,
Fr. Marc

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