Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

After weighing before the Lord the gravity of the current coronavirus situation, which is worsening daily, I believe that now is the time to leave to the conscience of each pastor whether and how to celebrate Holy Mass with a congregation – on weekdays or on Sunday – taking account of the circumstances of his own parish.

In every instance, as I have already clearly affirmed, the directives of the public health authorities regarding public gatherings must be very carefully followed.

While I commend the creativity of parishes which distributed Holy Communion outside of Mass as a response to the limitations on public gatherings, I do not believe this should  continue as we move forward. I am concerned that the practice might obscure the meaning of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, especially over an extended period.

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life, and being unable to participate in person is a deprivation keenly felt by the faithful. Rest assured, however, that I and all our priests will remember you and your families as we offer Mass each day and particularly on Sundays,  as always for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

Let us pray, and pray fervently, that the virus will soon be defeated and we can return to the joyful celebration of Holy Mass, with large congregations that are healthy and spiritually renewed by their Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and works of mercy.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+J. Michael Miller, CSB
Archbishop of Vancouver

Archbishop Miller addresses the faithful regarding COVID-19.

1. All parishes are to continue offering Sunday and daily Mass at the appointed times. Attendance must be kept at or below the 50 people required by the Provincial Health Officer and the Ministry of Health and the “social distancing” of two metres is maintained. Parishes may have Mass in more than one space at a time, such as in the church and in the parish hall, provided that each location has a separate entrance, so that the congregations do not mix.
2. All communal penitential services are to be cancelled.
3. Provision is to be made for the Sacrament of Reconciliation to be available to all who seek it, taking into account the following considerations:
   • Confessionals should not be used at this time, for health reasons;
   • Confessions should be heard in a room large enough to allow at least a two-metre distance between priest and penitent, but without being overheard. Provision should also be made (a portable screen or other means) for those who wish to confess anonymously. This may require playing chant or other music in the background. I count on you to find other creative ways to make it possible for the faithful to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
4. Churches are to remain open as usual, for private prayer. Daily Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is encouraged for as many hours as possible. Ensure by suitable means that the required “social distancing” is maintained by those at prayer.

Considering new developments and previous memos issued, the following is a summary of measures currently in effect in the Archdiocese of Vancouver as of today:

New Measures

1. In accordance with the Public Health Officer Order issued this morning, attendance at Mass or any other parish or Archdiocesan event is limited to a maximum of 50 people, effective immediately.
2. Avoid physical contact with others. A distance of two metres should be maintained at all times, including in the lineup or at the rail to receive Holy Communion. Congregants should sit in alternating rows. It may be helpful to use masking tape on pew backs to mark off two-metre spacing.
3. Please remove all hymnals, prayer cards, envelopes and other materials from the pews. Parishes are encouraged to use a projector to provide song lyrics.
4. If collection baskets with handles are not available, monitored collection baskets should be placed at the back of the church, where people can deposit their offerings.
5. Following each Mass or gathering, all pew backs, table-tops and other high-touch surfaces should be disinfected, inasmuch as possible.

Previous Measures Remaining in Effect Until Further Notice

Sunday Obligation

1. In order to continue assisting local public health efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is lifted for everyone.
2. Those over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home rather than attending Sunday Mass, as are those who feel even remotely unwell and those who believe they might be genuinely at risk.
3. Those who do not attend Mass are encouraged to watch Mass online or on TV, or have a time of prayer, if possible with the readings of the Sunday, and a spiritual communion.

Reception of Holy Communion

1. As a result of direct consultation with the Public Health Officer, the faithful are strongly recommended to receive Holy Communion only in the hand.
   Those distributing Holy Communion should to avoid direct skin-to-skin contact when placing the Host into the hands of the faithful. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should not receive the Precious Blood before the general distribution of Holy Communion. Hand sanitizers should be used, or washing carefully with soap and water practiced, before and after the distribution of Holy Communion.  Furthermore, no one should feel obligated to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion if they would rather not at this time.

2. Respecting the right of the faithful to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, an announcement is to be made at all Masses during this period, that those who wish to receive Communion on the tongue should come forward after all other communicants have received or after Mass. Alternatively, one priest, deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can be designated specifically to distribute Communion only on the tongue.
3. Forgo Holy Communion from the Chalice for the congregation.

Other Measures

1. Offertory Processions are to be omitted.
2. For all Masses, celebrants/deacons should omit the Sign of Peace from the liturgical rite, as is permitted by the Roman Missal.
3. In order to reduce social isolation, parishes are strongly encouraged to find ways to mobilize people to make phone calls to those who must remain at home, and to provide services such as delivering food and necessary items. Being in regular contact with the parish community will alleviate loneliness for the homebound.
4. If possible, hand sanitizer or hand washing stations should be available to all at the entrance of the church, parish hall and other parish facilities.

Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (English)

Obligation to attend Sunday Mass is lifted until further notice

In order to continue assisting local public health efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is lifted for everyone until further notice.

Churches will remain open and Masses will be offered, but the recommendations of the Ministry of Health to restrict the number attending to 250 must be observed.

As this situation continues to evolve rapidly, we encourage Catholics to sign up for email updates from your parish and the Archdiocese, so that we can keep you informed of further developments as they occur. Please sign up here on this page or at rcav.org/corona.

Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (English)

Yesterday afternoon, amid increasing concerns over the spread of COVID-19, British Columbia’s Public Health Officer directed “all event organizers to cancel any gathering larger than 250 people.” Respecting this new directive and until further notice, and out of prudent concern for the well-being of the entire community, attendance at Mass or any other Church events in the Archdiocese of Vancouver is to be restricted to a maximum of 250 people.

We realize that a number of parishes will have difficulty in keeping Mass attendance below 250 this weekend, and that managing this requirement will call for creativity and compassion on the part of pastors and parish staff.

If any of the faithful are unable to attend Sunday Mass due to these restrictions, they may be encouraged to find another Mass to participate in. However, given that someone has attempted to go to Mass and could not do so for reasons beyond their control, they have fulfilled the obligation. It is always good to encourage those who do not attend Mass to have a time of prayer, if possible with the readings of the Sunday and a spiritual communion.

The faithful are reminded to avoid physical contact with others at Mass, as much as possible, and should attempt to maintain a safe distance from one another. Those over the age of 65 are encouraged to stay home rather than attending Sunday Mass, as are those who feel even remotely unwell and those who believe they might be genuinely at risk.

Please remember to take into account the recommendations made in previous memos on this subject, all of which can be found online at rcav.org/coronavirus. These measures are only temporary, in order to get us through these challenging times, and your patience and goodwill are greatly appreciated.

During this highly unusual situation, let us join together in praying for all the members of our community, especially those who are most vulnerable, those who have already lost their lives to COVID-19 and their families.

Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (English)

This afternoon, British Columbia Premier John Horgan, Minister of Health Adrian Dix and Public Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry held a teleconference with faith community leaders from across the Province to discuss preventative measures to contain the spread of COVID-19. They emphasized that the situation is continuously evolving, and new recommendations will be made as circumstances warrant. Daily briefings on the coronavirus situation are posted each afternoon on http://www.bccdc.ca/.

Arising from today’s consultation, the following temporary measures will be put in place immediately in all parishes of the Archdiocese of Vancouver:

Sunday Obligation

Out of consideration for the well-being of others in the community, the elderly, anyone with an underlying health condition and those who feel even remotely unwell are excused from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass.

If they have access to television or the internet, those who remain at home may watch Mass. Attached to this memo is also a Prayer for Spiritual Communion which may also be used in these circumstances.

In order to reduce social isolation, parishes are encouraged to find ways to mobilize people to make phone calls to those who must remain at home, and to provide services such as delivering food and necessary items. Being in regular contact with the parish community will alleviate loneliness for the homebound.

Reception of Holy Communion

As a result of direct consultation with the Public Health Officer, the faithful are strongly recommended to receive Holy Communion only in the hand.

Those distributing Holy Communion are encouraged to avoid direct skin-to-skin contact when placing the Host into the hands of the faithful. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should not receive the Precious Blood before the general distribution of Holy Communion. Hand sanitizers should be used, or washing carefully with soap and water practiced, before and after the distribution of Holy Communion. Furthermore, no one should feel obligated to serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion if they would rather not at this time.

Respecting the right of the faithful to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, an announcement is to be made, beginning on the weekend of March 14/15 and for all subsequent Masses during this period, that those who wish to receive Communion on the tongue should come forward after all other communicants have received. Alternatively, one priest, deacon or Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion can be designated specifically to distribute Communion only on the tongue.

Kiss of Peace

For all Masses, it is recommended that celebrants/deacons omit the Kiss of Peace from the liturgical rite, as is permitted by the Roman Missal.

Parish Events

For all parish activities, the following recommendations should be followed:

• Hand sanitizer or hand washing stations should be available to all at the entrance of the church, parish hall and other parish facilities;
• Meeting rooms should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each activity;
• The Public Health Officer suggests that people maintain a two-metre space (approximately two arms’ length) between one another, to reduce any potential transmission of the coronavirus.

Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (English) Read the Prayers of Spiritual Communion

St. Francis of Assisi principal was notified on Tuesday March 10th that a parent of the school had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Vancouver Coastal Health informed the school that the school community was at low risk. However, out of an abundance of caution, the school has made the decision to close the school for the remainder of the week, through Spring Break.

St. Francis of Assisi School is a feeder school to Notre Dame Regional Secondary. Notre Dame staff and students have recently been in contact with students from St. Francis of Assisi. Although the risk is considered extremely low, the school has chosen to take pre-cautionary measures and close the school for the remainder of the week.

Both schools will be taking appropriate measures to ensure that the facilities are cleaned and sanitized before students return to school on Monday March 30th.

In line with recent recommendations by the Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, in reference to preventing the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the Archdiocese of Vancouver is asking its parishes to put the following recommendations into effect:

• At the Sign of Peace, a bow instead of the usual greeting;
• Remove Holy Water from fonts which are used by our parishioners to bless themselves;
• Forgo Holy Communion from the chalice for the congregation;
• Also, people should be reminded that, as always, if they are sick they should not be coming to Holy Mass or other events. In addition, people returning from affected areas in the world should follow health ministry guidelines on being isolated from the public.

Note: Given that there is no guarantee that a communicant’s hands are germ-free, people remain free to receive Holy Communion either on the tongue or in the hand.

Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (English) Read Archbishop Miller’s Letter (Chinese)