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May 6, 2021Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
April 28, 2021
Effective on the Vigil of Pentecost, Saturday, May 22, 2021, all remaining precautions related to COVID-19 are removed.
The changes are in bold. Archbishop Coakley asks all Catholics within the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City to remain charitable and respectful of fellow parishioners and visitors while maintaining a welcoming environment. The archdiocese will continue to monitor COVID-19 and make adjustments to the guidelines and precautions if needed. Thank you for your patience.
Guiding Principles
- Faith: With parishioners returning to Mass, encourage catechesis and understanding of the Real Presence and foster an environment of discipleship and hospitality;
- Subsidiarity: In applying these guidelines pastors and their staffs are encouraged to adapt them to their unique circumstances and local conditions;
- Charity: Everyone is encouraged to be charitable and understanding with fellow parishioners.
Mass
- The dispensation for attending Sunday Mass is lifted, effective Saturday, April 24, 2021. Those dispensed from the Sunday Mass obligation include:
b: Those who are caregivers for someone who is ill;
c: The homebound;
d: Anyone who is unable to receive a COVID vaccine at this time;
e: Those who are vulnerable due to age, health or severe anxiety about becoming ill;- With the exception of “d,” these dispensations were in place prior to the pandemic. For questions about dispensations to the obligation, contact your pastor;
- The provisional mask requirement is lifted. Face coverings are optional. Please be courteous and respectful to fellow parishioners who may or may not choose to wear a mask. Parishioners who are ill or have a family member in their household who has tested positive for COVID-19 or other illness are exempt from the Sunday Mass obligation and should stay home;
- Mass capacity can be increased to 100 percent. Parishes may provide an area/section that is socially distanced for parishioners who may remain vulnerable; if a socially distanced area is provided, masks are required in these areas;
- Parishes that live-stream should consider removing or deleting the video of the Mass from Facebook, YouTube, etc., immediately following Mass to encourage in-person participation at Mass;
- Extra sanitizing of church building and furnishings is no longer required;
- Hymnals can be returned to the pews;
- Choirs and congregational singing are allowed, masks optional;
- Holy water can be returned to fonts;
- Nurseries and cry rooms are allowed;
- Please consider providing printed bulletins;
- Please encourage parishioners to stay home if they are ill or have symptoms of COVID-19 or other illness;
- Offertory collections are allowed without restrictions; collection drop-off areas can remain;
- It is recommended that hand sanitizer be provided for parishioners in pews or at stations near entry points and exits;
- The chalice may be reinstated at parishes by pastors, but is not required. If the chalice is offered at a parish, it always is optional for Catholics to receive from the chalice;
- The Sign of Peace may be reinstated. Please be mindful that some parishioners may not want to return to shaking hands.
Communion
- Distribution of communion must be returned to the traditional placement during Mass;
- Parishioners are encouraged to sanitize their hands before receiving communion;
- Priests and extraordinary ministers of holy communion are no longer required to wear masks, but can continue to wear masks;
- Priests and extraordinary ministers of holy communion are no longer required to sanitize their fingers after distributing communion on the tongue.
In-Person Faith Formation and Other Ministries
- Masks are optional;
- Parishes can provide an area/section that is socially distanced for participants who may remain vulnerable;
- COVID-19 waivers are not required.
Receptions and Social Gatherings
- Larger parish-wide social gatherings are permitted at full capacity; parishes can provide an area/section that is socially distanced. Use of outdoor spaces is encouraged;
- Receptions are allowed;
- Guests should be encouraged to eat and drink at tables;
- Food service/distribution – it is preferred to have staff/catering employee/volunteer serve as opposed to self-serve buffet style or in common buckets/bowls/platters;
- Face coverings optional;
- Parishes may provide an area/section that is socially distanced for participants at parish-sponsored (as opposed to private) receptions for those who may remain vulnerable; if a socially distanced area is provided, masks are required in these areas.
Schools
- All current provisions and precautions remain in place for all Catholic schools through the end of the school year.
This document supersedes and replaces earlier documents and guidelines.
