Multi-Phased Plan for Reopening Churches

PHASE I: Limited Sacramental Celebrations and Private Prayer

Parish Actions and Responsibilities

  • The pastor will need the assistance of the parish community, as he will be required to create a parish leadership team consisting of 6 people, including himself, to co-manage operations and to supervise cleaning, set-up and greeting.
  • The parish business manager or someone designated by the pastor will serve as the compliance manager for the parish and assist with the submission of necessary compliance forms.
  • The entire team of leaders is required to attend training and submit an implementation template for reopening, which needs to be reviewed and certified by the archdiocese or respective diocese.
  • The parish will need to maintain an on-going procurement program for safety and cleaning supplies.
  • Based on go-forward approval, each parish will have the prerogative to offer Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals, and Reconciliation in the church within the current limit of 10 attendees excluding ministers and on-site staff (“Phase I”).
  • With additional preparation, each parish may optionally offer Eucharistic Adoration and private prayer times (“Phase IA”). In choosing to do so, parish leadership teams must comply with all published bishops’ guidelines outlining precautions preparing for, during and after the rite(s).

NOTE: During Phase I, parishes will not be allowed to offer either daily or Sunday Mass, even with 10 or fewer attendees. The resumption of public Mass, regardless of the number of attendees, is a more complex process, which requires the input of lessons that will be learned from Phase I. To that end, parishes and archdiocese or diocese will collaborate to gather data to improve the protocols and processes of the Plan before we move to worship services in Phase II.

Archdiocesan/ Diocesan Actions and Responsibilities

The archdiocese or diocese, depending on capacity, will provide the following services to support the parishes and pastors:

  • Provide parishes information on securing supplies or a list of preferred vendors for supplies throughout the phases of the Plan.
  • Conduct required training webinars for clergy, parish leaders and volunteers, to assist the pastor in managing the Plan in each phase. The Archdiocese of Chicago will develop a standard webinar based on these guidelines and make it available to the other dioceses in the Chicago Province.
  • Create and distribute to parishes a video message from the local bishop to explain the Plan for reopening churches.
  • Evaluate and certify parish proposals for opening during the phases. Create a dedicated email box that will be monitored by staff to answer questions or otherwise support parishes that feel they cannot open safely without additional help.
  • Gather and evaluate data from parishes on their Phase I and IA experience to adapt Phase II protocols for larger numbers, which will include public Mass.
  • Work with government officials to explore possible increases in crowd size taking into consideration the capacity of church buildings.

PHASE II: Resumption of Public Masses

Parish Actions and Responsibilities

In Phase II parishes may apply for certification to offer daily and Sunday Mass. Parishes will also continue to celebrate Baptisms, Weddings, Funerals and Adoration. Given the more complex nature of celebrations of the Mass, entering Phase II will require parishes to:

  • Expand the number of parish team members if civil authorities permit an increase in the crowd size for Phase II.
  • Maintain an on-going procurement program for safety and cleaning supplies.
  • Continue recruitment and training of new, non-vulnerable volunteers as needed.
  • Develop logistical procedures in accord with the guidelines of the Plan to manage more frequent and larger services that cover actions before, during and after the rites.
  • Implement a safe and secure attendance reservation/ ticketing system to maintain order and facilitate possible contact tracing of infection.
  • Submit a detailed proposal for implementing Phase II.

Archdiocesan Actions and Responsibilities

To support the parishes in the preparation and implementation of Phase II, the Archdiocese or diocese will:

  • Establish and update requirements for all services and rites according to the standards of government officials, health care experts and church authorities.
  • Review and certify all parish proposals for reopening with celebration of Mass.
  • Provide additional required webinars and training, as needed.
  • Create and distribute to parishes a video message from the local bishop to explain procedures for attendance at Mass in Phase II.
  • Conduct random assessments over time to ensure continued compliance with published requirements.
  • Gather feedback from parishioners across the Archdiocese or diocese on how well the safety protocols are working and how comfortable they are with church precautions for their safety.
  • Continually monitor feedback on execution and resources to assist in problem solving through ongoing communication with parish leadership, state and local authorities and public health officials.