Extension of the Dispensation from the Sunday Obligation "As announced by my office on 6 November 2020, the dispensation from the Sunday obligation is extended to, and includes, Easter Sunday. It also includes the solemnities of the Nativity of the Lord (25 December) and Mary, Mother of God on the octave day of Christmas (1 January).
Use of Facial Masks Masks are now required by provincial law in all public buildings, which includes churches. The exemption remains in place for those who have a medical condition and for children under the age of two years. Those who refuse to wear masks without a proper exemption can be turned away at the door of the church, for the sake of the health and safety of all who gather in our churches. Pastors/administrators of parishes are obliged to enforce this directive.
Those seeking an exemption from wearing a mask in our churches must bring their pastor, prior to 1 January 2021, evidence from their physician, nurse practitioner, social worker, psychologist or occupational/respiratory/physical therapist attesting to their condition. When they register for Mass, they should alert the parish team that the pastor has granted them an exemption, so that they can be seated in a designated area. They should wear a mask but only to enter and exit the church unless a documented disability prevents them from doing so even briefly. Parishes should make arrangements to take Communion to those with a mask exemption in their seats, so their movement in the church is minimized. They must wear a mask for the brief period of receiving Communion when approached by the minister unless their disability prevents them. Where there is strict impossibility to wear a mask, arrangements for Communion should be made with the pastor so that a safe means of distribution can be ensured. Those with an exemption must always maintain social distancing.
The Reception of Holy Communion With the restriction of receiving Holy Communion only in the hand, some of the faithful are presenting themselves with pyxes in the Communion procession with the hope that a Host will be placed in the pyx for them, so that they can receive the Eucharist without touching it with their hands. In the Roman ritual, self-communicating is reserved only to priests and bishops. The faithful may not present themselves for Holy Communion with the intention of receiving the Eucharist from a pyx, a small cloth, gloves, or anything other than their bare hand. Therefore, this practice must stop where it has happened, and the faithful need to be catechized about due reverence when receiving the Eucharist. The restriction of receiving Communion only in the hand is disturbing to many of the faithful..... the traditional practice of the option of receiving on the tongue will be restored as soon as the public health situation allows. To avoid confusion, pastors/administrators are reminded that those taking Communion to the homebound are not to bring their pyx in the Communion procession when receiving the Eucharist for themselves. Instead, they are to present themselves before Mass. The pyx they will use to take Communion to the homebound is to be prepared with altar bread(s) and placed on the credence table before Mass. The pyxes will then be placed on the altar when it is prepared in the usual manner at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The pyxes are presented to these ministers following the Prayer after Communion".