FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 3, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
718-517-3143
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org
John Quaglione
718-517-3112
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org
Diocese of Brooklyn Churches Can Resume Saturday Vigil & Sunday Mass this Weekend
The celebration of Sunday Mass can begin this weekend in Brooklyn and Queens Churches with the Saturday Vigil Mass on July 4, 2020, and Sunday Mass on July 5, 2020. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including the requirement that all who enter a church must bring and must wear their own mask during the entire Mass and maintain proper social distancing.
“In Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus speaks about how great it is to be able to praise God and give Him thanks. For those of us who are able to worship God together in Church this weekend and receive Him in the Holy Eucharist once again, we truly will praise Him and ask Him to strengthen us,” said the Most Reverend Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.
In preparation for the resumption of Masses, DeSales Media Group, the communications and technology arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn, produced videos in seven languages to give multi-lingual Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens an understanding of the changes they will experience as a result of COVID-19 safety protocols designed to keep everyone healthy and safe.
The videos were made in English, Spanish, Italian, Polish, Chinese, Creole, and Korean.
Beyond the requirement that parishioners must bring and wear their own mask during Mass, churches can only be filled to 25% capacity to fulfill social distance requirements of six feet between congregants. Families who live in the same household will be able to sit together.
The reception of Communion will be different. It is strongly recommended the faithful receive Holy Communion in the hand and they must leave their mask on when they approach the priest at a six-foot distance. When the communicant receives the Sacred Host, they should move to the side and consume the Eucharist immediately. Communion will only be offered in one form; the Precious Blood will not be distributed to the faithful at this time.
Since each church and parish is unique, the faithful should check with their individual parishes, parish websites and social media pages for specifics about the resumption of Mass and the safety protocols in place.
The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass remains in effect until further notice. As such, the Diocese urges anyone who feels sick in any way to stay home. Mass will continue to be broadcast live on the Diocesan cable channel, NET-TV, and streamed online. NET-TV is available in the New York City market on Spectrum, channel 97; Optimum, channel 30; and Fios by Verizon, channel 48.
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