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Diocesan COVID Guidelines Updated ISSN: 0029-7739 $ 1.00 per copy THE BSERVER OOfficial Newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford Volume 85 | No. 43 http://observer.rockforddiocese.org FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2020 Diocesan COVID Guidelines Updated BY PENNY WIEGERT Editor DIOCESE—Bishop David Mal- loy announced in a letter to all priests Oct. 8 a list of changes to the “Back in His Presence” guidelines issued in June of this year. The guidelines are part of the ongoing efforts to help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus among the faithful as they live out their Catho- lic faith. Bishop Malloy said in his letter that modifications to the original protocols are being made periodically “based in the experience that we gain as we live through this pandemic.” After consultations with the deans and with the Presbyteral Council, the following modifications have been made to “Back in His Presence.” These changes were made effective for Masses beginning Oct. 10-11. Use of the mask by lectors at the ambo At the discretion of the pastor or pa- rochial administrator, lectors and other ministers at the ambo are permitted to remove their face mask for reading (Observer photo/Amanda Hudson) proclamation purposes. Bishop David Malloy lowers his face mask as he delivers his homily Oct. 4 at the 50th anniversary Mass for Blessed Sacrament in North The deacon and priest may also do Aurora. In his newly updated “Back in His Presence” guidelines, a mask is not required for during homilies and readings. so at the ambo for the Gospel and hom- the hand; or to decline to implement it in his parish. Moving beyond essential ily. Masks shall continue to be worn by 3) The faithful who wish to receive Similarly, a parochial vicar should not and sacramental meetings priests at all times when at the altar and holy Communion on the tongue do so at be required to administer holy Commu- and gatherings while at the presider chair. the end of Mass. nion on the tongue if he feels uncom- Reception of holy Whichever option is chosen by the fortable or has personal health concerns. Until now, parishes, schools and di- ocesan entities have been permitted Communion on the tongue pastor or parochial administrator, there All other protocols regarding masks, should be separate reception of holy social distancing, traffic flow regula- to hold only sacramental and essential Reception of the Eucharist on the gatherings and meetings on the prem- Communion for those receiving in the tions, recording of attendance, capac- tongue is now permitted under specific hand and for those receiving on the ises. ity requirements and sanitation are still protocols at Mass and at Communion tongue. At this time, effective today, all other in force as outlined in the “Back in His services at all parishes. When reception on the tongue is done, meetings and gatherings typical of the Presence” documents. While the faithful are strongly en- because of the proximity of the minis- normal operations of a parish, school couraged to receive holy Communion ter’s hand to the mouth of the communi- Extraordinary ministers or diocesan facility are permitted to be in the hand during this coronavirus cant, the minister must sanitize his hand held in person on the premises, provided At the discretion of the pastor or pa- outbreak, pastors and parochial admin- between each communicant’s reception. the “Back in His Presence” directives istrators may make arrangements for re- Whether a pastor or parochial admin- rochial administrator, Extraordinary as well as rules of the Illinois Governor ception of the Sacrament on the tongue istrator allows this form of receiving Ministers of holy Communion are per- and local and state public health depart- using one of the following options: Communion shall be a decision within mitted if necessary. ments are followed. 1) A separate line must be provided his discretion. Extraordinary ministers must follow Funeral visitations may return to be- for those faithful who wish to receive If a pastor/parochial administrator be- all liturgical and safety protocols and be ing held at the church, following the holy Communion on the tongue; or cause of the pandemic or his own per- strictly trained to wear a mask and to protocols. 2) Those faithful who wish to receive sonal health does not feel comfortable sanitize appropriately. Hence, at this time, and in light of the holy Communion on the tongue do so implementing this form of receiving At this time, Extraordinary ministers governor’s mitigation effective Oct. 3, after all other faithful have received in holy Communion, he has the authority are limited to Mass only. Continued on page 4 This Issue Quick News Inside Bishop Malloy ....................... 2 Read The Observer V Encuentro Ready October Filled with Headliners ............................... 3 Diocesan .............................. 4-7 Online Free To Move Forward Prolife Events Colleges and Vocations .8-10 Anyone in the Rockford Diocese may Nationwide process Rallies, Life Chains and a Young Observer ................. 11 read The Observer Online free at involving Hispanic Catholics memorial dedication held. Our Catholic View ....... 12-13 http://observertoo.rockforddiocese. heads back from parish, pages 4-5 For the Record .................... 14 org/. diocesan and regional Ministry Day 2020: Around the Diocese .......... 15 Subscribers to the print edition will meetings to the national A Day Like No Other Media/Arts ............................ 15 continue to receive it by mail. level. Nation/World ...................... 16 page 3 page 7 2 | FRIDAY OCTOBER 16, 2020 | The Observer Fratelli Tutti Gives Us Much to Ponder hroughout his pontifi cate Pope Francis and study the experiences, the structures and the The Observer (ISSN 0029- has demonstrated a special aff ection for wisdom that have been acquired and accumulated 7739), is published weekly, St. Francis of Assisi. When he was elected before us. That acknowledgement is not acritical of except fi ve times a year by the pope he took the name of Francis to remind Diocese of Rockford, course. Prior ages were as damaged and infected by 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Tthe world of the faithful simplicity lived by Francis. sin as is our own today. Some of those experiences Box 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 But the Holy Father has also held up St. Francis might have been deeply sinful, like slavery for Phone: 815/399-4300; Fax as a model for the modern world in its dealings with example or the repression of religious liberty. 815/399-6225. the poor and the needy. BY BISHOP Others, however, such as the respect for the rule Periodical postage paid at Earlier this month, Pope Francis travelled to DAVID J. of law and for the need for God to guide human Rockford, Ill., and additional Assisi and, in keeping with this particular devotion mail offi ces. MALLOY existence, have rightly stood the test of time. to St. Francis, the pope used that visit to issue an As Pope Francis notes, if we do not respect our POSTMASTER: send address encyclical letter entitled Fratelli Tutti. Pope Francis past we are left adrift. And modern society seeks changes to The Observer, 555 Colman Center Dr., P.O. Box e are noted that he devoted this encyclical letter to to fi ll that emptiness, from God and culture, with 7044, Rockford, IL 61125 Wa part fraternity and social friendship (FT, 2). the search for the goods of this world and with a Encyclical letters are some of the highest form misguided sense of freedom. For ADVERTISING information: of the Contact The Observer at the of teaching used by the popes and directed to the The Holy Father also remarks about the impact chain and whole Church. As such they merit our attention and address above or call 815/399- that modern communication has upon us. He talks 4300; fax 815/399-6225, a reading with an open heart that seeks to have our continuum about the instant and worldwide interconnection Email: kmccarthy@ faith guided by the successor to St. Peter. of history. but also the immediacy of information and opinions rockforddiocese.org. With that in mind, let’s look at a pair of the many ... As Pope that keep us from refl ection and, at times, from Send NEWS information to The observations off ered by the Holy Father in this charity in our comments. Observer at the address or fax Francis wide-ranging document. He states, “As silence and careful listening number above; send email to notes, if Pope Francis, early in the encyclical, expresses Observer@rockforddiocese. disappear, replaced by a frenzy of texting, this we do not concern for the path that he sees the modern world org; or fi ll out a form at basic structure of sage human communication is at http://observer.rockforddiocese. respect our taking. He identifi es, for example, the growing loss of connection of the current generation with its risk. A new lifestyle is emerging where we create org/contact-us. past we are past. only what we want and exclude all that we cannot Subscription rate $28.00 per left adrift. 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