Diocese announces when Modesto region Catholics can return to Mass in churches
Catholics in the greater Modesto region can return to Mass in limited numbers beginning in mid-June according to the Diocese of Stockton.
The announcement came late Wednesday afternoon from the diocese — which serves San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Calaveras, Alpine and Mono counties — on the heels of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s release Monday of guidelines for places of worship to reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.
The state has put a limit on attendance at 25 percent of building capacity or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is lower, on all places of worship.
Since March 18, Masses have been held online and via social media, according to a press release from the diocese. Live resumption in churches includes vigil Masses on Saturday evening, June 13, and Sunday Masses, June 14.
“All of us are eager to return to celebrating the Risen Christ as a community,” Bishop Myron Cotta said in the release. “But, we must ensure that we are doing so safely and with great care for the well-being of all our community.”
Attendance at public Mass is an option. A dispensation — a release from the obligation to attend — issued by Cotta remains, so those who prefer to stay home and participate online “are encouraged to do so,” the release said. “Further, those who are elderly, have underlying health conditions or who are otherwise more vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus are asked to remain at home at this time.”
Diocese issues precautions
Safeguards and precautions will be in place, developed with county and state public health experts, according to the release. They include:
▪ Thorough, frequent sanitation of churches, including pews, door handles, railings, etc.
▪ Shared items, such as hymnals, will not be available.
▪ Social distancing between those who do not share a household will be required.
▪ Hand sanitizer will be available and used during Mass.
▪ Parishioners are asked to wear face masks if able to do so safely.
▪ Singing will not be part of the liturgy.
Parishioners should consult their parishes for specific guidelines, including information on how to attend Mass since capacity is reduced, the release said.
“Much will be different when we return to Mass, but the most important thing is unchanged and unchangeable,” Cotta said in the release. “Christ waits for us in the Sacrament, whether we participate in person or online. The love of God for His people, and the love of God’s people for one another, these are constants, even in a time of turmoil.”
This story was originally published May 28, 2020 at 3:32 PM.
