Updated Guidelines from the Diocese

You may notice some differences in the coming weeks with more materials available to pick up at the back of church. However, we will still be maintaining our high standards of sanitization, making hand sanitizer available at all stations, requiring masks and social distancing, and ensuring that all who come to our doors are as safe as possible. As our own protocols change, rest assured that we will keep all our parishioners updated via our bulletin, flocknotes, website, and on facebook.

See the Diocese Post Below:

RELAXATION OF SOME COVID RESTRICTIONS

FEBRUARY 3, 2021

In response to Governor Brad Little’s Feb. 2 announcement that the State of Idaho has moved into Stage Three of the Idaho Rebounds guidelines due to a significant decrease in reported cases of COVID-19, Bishop Peter Christensen has announced that some restrictions imposed by health care and civic authorities may be relaxed in parishes.

These include the following:

Non-liturgical gatherings (classes, receptions, meetings, etc.) of 50 or fewer people may be resumed.

Given the Center for Disease Control’s finding that COVID-19 is not commonly transmitted through contact with surfaces, parishes may resume the use of missals, bulletins, collection baskets, and other items in their pews and common areas. (It is still advisable to regularly disinfect high-touch areas in your facility.)

The following provisions remain in place:

Maintain the 6-foot physical distancing requirement .

Provide prevention supplies such as hand sanitizer, tissues and trash cans.

Ada County continues to request that masks be worn. Check with your local county for their requirements.

Encourage others to self-monitor for fever or symptoms and stay home if they are sick.

We will continue to offer the Body of Christ to the faithful. Only clergy will receive from the Chalice. The preferred means of receiving Communion remains on the hand at this time.

Mass Dispensation. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass will continue until we are through with all COVID-19 related stages. The hope is to resume to normalcy this June.

All of these are recommended unless otherwise indicated by state and local guidelines,

Bishop Peter thanked priests and parish administrators for their patience and care for their communities. “Your leadership and diligence have been invaluable,” he said.

Those with questions regarding the updated guidelines, may contact Tish Thornton (tthhornton@ rcdb.org) or Marisela Baca (mbaca@ rcdb .org) in the Chancery office.