The Diocese of Arlington announced that
as of July 1, all 70 parishes are able, but not mandated, to celebrate public
Mass with capacity restrictions lifted. This is consistent with Phase 3 of
“Forward Virginia,” Gov. Ralph Northam’s phased approach for easing public
health restrictions associated with slowing the spread of COVID-19.
“The latest sector guidelines from the commonwealth
provide revised directions for Phase 3 regarding houses of worship, (including)
the lifting of the 50 percent capacity restriction, although social distancing
must be maintained, and the restriction on ‘passing items,’ such as an
offertory basket,” said Ward Jones, diocesan chief operations officer. “Because
attendance is likely to go up, (Bishop Michael F. Burbidge) has authorized the
use of Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion if a pastor in his discretion
desires to use them.”
Parishioners 10 years old and older still
are expected to wear face coverings in accordance with Gov. Northam’s executive
order 63, which allows exceptions for health reasons and specific religious
rituals. According to diocesan guidelines, during Mass a priest may determine
his own use of a face covering.
Bishop Burbidge is continuing the
dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of
obligation until further notice. Those who are 65 years old or older, as well
as those with underlying health conditions, are encouraged to avoid gatherings
of the general public, including public liturgies.
Though capacity restriction are lifted,
in reality, social distancing guidelines as well as people’s reticence to
attend large public gatherings such as Mass are keeping attendance low in many
churches. The capacity at Good Shepherd Church in Alexandria is 850 people, and
the largest Mass attendance the parish has had so far was 240, said Father Thomas
P. Ferguson, pastor. “We have not had any sign-ups and six weeks into having Mass,
we still haven’t ever reached capacity in terms of social distancing,” he said.
As Masses get closer to 400 attendees,
Father Ferguson anticipates setting up an overflow room in the parish hall with
a livestream of the Mass. “We still have a ways to go until we get to that
point,” he said.
Likewise, the Cathedral of St. Thomas
More in Arlington, which has a capacity of 1,200, hasn’t come close to reaching
half capacity or pre-pandemic numbers. “Normally, we get 1,500 for a weekend,
and last Sunday we had 470 people (at four Masses),” said Father Patrick L.
Posey, rector.
Parishioners at the cathedral and Good
Shepherd have tuned in to their livestreamed parish Masses, and both pastors
plan to continue the online ministry. “Since the pandemic started, we’ve
installed a camera in our church so that we’ll have the potential in perpetuity
to be livestreaming Sunday Mass, daily Mass, weddings and funerals,” said Father
Ferguson. “It’s a way to provide for people who in this time, hopefully
temporarily, cannot visit church (and) the people who were already homebound.
This is another way of being connected to the community.”
The staff at the cathedral has tried to
provide a safe worship environment for those who do want to attend Mass and to
find ways to connect with those who are still at home, said Christine Kurtzke
Hughes, director for advancement at the cathedral.
“What struck me through all of this is
the two things people really missed were receiving the Eucharist, that physical
connection, and they wanted to hear from their priests,” she said. “When we
looked at the livestreaming and (other online messages from the clergy), we had
so many hits on that. Hearing from their priests in a seemingly intimate yet
virtual reality is powerful. I think it’s important we utilize that tool to
really go into the home and become more a part of their daily lives.”
This article is an updated version of a previously published article. Read it here.
