In case you missed Part 1, check that out first for more context.

In order to restore access to the Sacraments, we need to clearly define the problems we’re faced with and then solve those problems systematically.

I believe our problems fall into two main categories: protecting health and protecting image. The former is fairly self explanatory. I think it’s obvious there is a health risk. The magnitude of that personal risk varies greatly individual to individual (again, check out Part 1 for more info).

Let’s move on to the second category – protecting image. I think this is an area that is under-appreciated – we have an opportunity to turn this completely on its head. I’ll explain.

I agree wholeheartedly with people who are upset that the Sacraments are not considered “essential services.” Am I surprised though? No. Are you? Put yourself in their shoes. They don’t understand the importance, and it’s unlikely we can convince them of the importance overnight. It’s all too easy to shut us down, especially when we have done almost nothing to publicly convey steps we would take to protect public health. We have no operational plan to deal with this (with some exceptions).

How can we successfully navigate and conquer the real problems we have (health) and by doing so, give the secular world NO reason to limit our activities (image)?

I think there several things we need to address now so we can win:

  1. Fulfill our duty to slow the spread of this virus
  2. Protect the vulnerable members of the community
  3. Mitigate risk to the extent possible
  4. Demonstrate that we are committed to the above items

The last item on that list is free. All we have to do it take care of 1, 2 and 3 in tangible ways, and 4 should follow naturally. I hope you’re with me so far. So what should we do next…

I have ideas… not answers….

I trust the Priests of my Parish. I really do. And I know that they are trying very hard to shepherd us dutifully during this time. So I don’t presume to offer answers here. These are merely ideas for consideration. However, they will only remain ideas if we don’t at least talk about them, and work together to figure this out.

Before I get into the ideas, I think it’s likely that we will see the shelter-in-place orders lifted in the near future (1-2 mo), but I think it is entirely possible that the ban on gatherings in excess of a certain number will continue. These ideas are meant for operating in the post-shelter-in-place world, where restrictions on gatherings continue.

Limits on Gathering Size & Social Distancing

I think this is one of the easier ones to solve provided we don’t wear our priests out. It’s a bit of a numbers game.

  • Each parish increases the number of Sunday Masses such that the following equation is satisfied.

    # of Masses = Total Parishioners / Gathering Size Limit

    The only other possible consideration is some Parishes with a smaller physical space may need to limit further, or find an outdoor space that is suitable.
  • Once the number of Masses has been determined, each Mass could be setup like an event with a limited number of “seats”. We can systematically manage the number of people at each Mass. First come, first serve for your favorite time slot. Registration would be easiest if it were handled online.
  • Reserve 1 or 2 of those Mass times for the highest risk people. 65 and older as well as those who are immunocompromised. Grocery stores are doing this, why can’t we?
  • Volunteers / Ushers could escort each household to an area that is a prescribed distance from another household. And because we already thought ahead and limited the number of people at each Mass systematically, we know we’ll have enough room.
  • Advise symptomatic parishioners to remain home.

Mitigate Risks

  • Publicly post the cleaning steps in place to sanitize surfaces, hands, etc. “We wipe down the pews, door handles, etc. after each Mass and Father X washes his hands prior to the Consecration…” Let people see that it is happening. I’ve often cringed at hand sanitizer at Mass on the Alter, but this is a different disease. Maybe it’s time to consider using it?
  • Setup a sanitization room using UV-C bulbs so that things can be efficiently decontaminated. Maybe all the palms could be processed this way?
  • Open the windows in the Church to circulate air.
  • Encourage everyone to wear a mask – why not have volunteers sewing masks at home for the Parish? What a great way to have the community help each other. There are plans online now for how to sew a surgical style mask and it is shown to reduce the likelihood of spreading the disease in a confined space.
  • Perhaps the most sensitive question is what about Holy Communion?
    • Have a separate Priest distributing the Eucharist to the highest risk parishioners.
    • Increase the number of Priests distributing the Eucharist so the interacting groups are smaller.

Don’t Forget #4

You may think some of these things are ridiculous, but as long as they don’t compromise the Faith, who cares? Part of winning this battle is going to be demonstrating that we are taking it seriously and “there is nothing to see here.” Let the restrictions pass over us and on to other higher risk groups that haven’t thought this through.

Alternatively, we can simply wait until the restrictions are wholly lifted and then carry on.

Lastly, if you agree that some of these recommendations are reasonable, consider sending them to your Bishop. The Priests are acting under their direction.

special thanks to those who helped generate these ideas.

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4 Responses

  1. "Jorge Bergoglio" Reply

    Access to the Sacraments IS POSSIBLE… While our “earthly physicians” head to the front lines during this time of earthly virus crisis, it appears that our “spiritual physicians” are nowhere to be found. As one reads The Lives of the Saints we read of heroic acts during times of earthly crisis, but what heroic acts do we hear or see from our spiritual leaders today? Isn’t the only thing that ultimately matters is the salvation of people’s souls? Frustratingly, it is NEARLY impossible for faithful Catholics to find access to the Sacraments or even an unlocked church to pray.

    Let me tell you my story: locally almost all churches are locked and access to all Sacraments is banned (other than in the case of immediate danger of death… whatever that means…). Where are the priests? What are they doing? Are they calling all of their parishioners asking to pray with them over the phone or willing to visit each parishioners house to bless it? I haven’t gotten a call yet… No, it appears the only thing they seem to be doing is updating the church website to ask for unemployed parishioners to continue making their donations. I will be making a “spiritual donation” while I am only provided “spiritual communion.” Seems fair, no? After much searching, I was able to learn about a “drive in” Mass nearly 3 hours away by car which was completely in compliant with state and local guidelines and was done in a completely safe manner! Why aren’t more bishops permitting this type of Mass especially when many governors permit outside socially distanced vehicle gatherings? You just have to be creative, but “news flash” offering public mass to the faithful IS POSSIBLE. The order and strategy of the “drive in” Mass I attended was superb. It’s not that complicated nor expensive to put together, so why aren’t more parishes offering it? First an online signup was put together and people signed up one family per vehicle. When you arrived the ushers directed you so that the cars were lined up in the parking lot in front of the outside altar. Outdoor speakers and/or a conference call phone number was provided so that you could hear what the priest was saying while you watched from the inside of your closed vehicle. When it came time for receiving Holy Communion, the ushers directed people one car at a time to exit their vehicle and come forward to receive Holy Communion. Before and after each vehicle’s occupants received Holy Communion the priest washed and hand sanitized his hands and he also wore a mask while distributing Holy Communion, so there was no way that any germs could be transferred. Outside confessions were also available and people were asked to exit their vehicle and go one car at a time with appropriate protections in place for all individuals. After mass, palms were safely distributed by the ushers wearing gloves as you left the parking lot and a collection was taken. The mass was beautiful and it was entirely socially distanced and safe! Access to the Sacraments IS POSSIBLE!

    • Adam Rivera Reply

      It is possible. Absolutely. Glad to hear some folks are being creative and have done this with success. I think each person should write their Bishop and cite these occurrences and this post! Let them know its not crazy to make this happen!

  2. Marie Reply

    Can someone please explain to me WHY we cannot have an outdoor mass in the church parking lot and stand six feet apart? Why do we even need to be in our cars to practice social distancing? We could also wear face masks or gloves if needed. Like “Jorge” wrote in the first comment, the priest could wear a mask and surgical gloves. Yes, the priests would probably have to say several masses on a Sunday to accommodate everyone being spread out in a parking lot, but I think desperate times call for desperate measures. They’d probably do it if given the okay by their bishop.

    Why is it I can go to Walmart and most likely encounter 150 people there, but I can’t go to an outdoor mass and keep my distance from everyone around me? Are there ANY bishops in Wisconsin who have noticed the incongruity here? Thanks for the article/ideas!

    • Adam Rivera Reply

      Marie – there should be a way to accomplish this and maintain health safety that would likely be in excess of what you’d see at an “essential service.” The Priests are acting under the direction of the Bishops, so I think we need to politely ask the Bishops what they think of these ideas and hope that we can make some progress. I’d recommend writing them a letter and referencing this article (or citing a few of the ideas as thought starters).

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