Office for 3424 Los Angeles

Archdiocese of Los Angeles Worship Wilshire California

Boulevard 90010-2241

Updated Liturgical Guidelines During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Updated: April 16, 2021

Indoor Mass and Other Liturgical Celebrations

While the State of California has removed the capacity limits on the number of people who can
attend indoor Mass, the faithful must continue to adhere to all other health guidelines, including six-
foot social distancing between households, wearing facial masks, screening and cleaning protocols.

• Pastors must ensure that employees and volunteers adhere to the guidelines provided by the
CDC, State of California, County Departments of Health (e.g., Los Angeles County
Appendix A “Protocol for Social Distancing”) and/or City Offices regarding healthy hygiene
practices and employee and volunteer training.
• Appendix A must be completely filled out and posted at all public entrances to the church
building and the parish office for parishes within the County of Los Angeles.
• Masses (e.g., Weekday, Sunday, First Communions, Confirmation, Weddings, Funerals,
Quinceañeras) and other religious services (e.g., Confessions, Baptisms, Adoration,
Devotions, Prayer Services, “Wedding Without Mass,” “Funeral Liturgy Outside Mass,”)
are allowed.
• All parishes must provide room for social distancing of at least six feet between family
units. Parishioners must wear facemasks and practice social distancing (6 feet apart, unless
they are family members who live together in the same house).
• Presiders and Lectors must also wear face coverings unless speaking. However, they can
also choose to wear face coverings even while they are speaking. If Presiders will be close to
people for some specific reason (e.g., when administering the Sacraments) they must wear
their facemasks.
• All microphones must be sanitized in between use if they are shared by multiple individuals.
• Cleaning materials should also be on hand to disinfect points of contact after each visitor
departs. A disinfectant that will not harm church surfaces should be used. See sanitizing
protocol.
• Hand sanitation must be available for all visitors. This could take several forms, ranging
from touch-less dispensers of antibacterial gel at the doors or wash stations in restrooms.
• One or more volunteers (or employees) should be stationed at the door(s) of the church
whenever it is open. The volunteer(s) will perform a variety of duties:
o Greet all visitors. California state guidelines recommend signage and use of social
media advising people experiencing symptoms or considered at higher risk to stay
home, but volunteers/employees at the doors could reinforce this message and
remind visitors of the ongoing dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend
Mass.
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• In addition to Appendix A, complete and post the State checklist found here:
https://files.covid19.ca.gov/pdf/checklist-places-of-worship--en.pdf. Also, it is important to:
o Train volunteers to ask people if they have been in contact with any infected person.
o Remind anyone with symptoms to stay home.
o Screenings also include asking whether the person is currently under an isolation or
quarantine order, and if so asking them to please return home.
o Parishes may also choose to use sign-in sheets for contact tracing.
• Open the door for visitors to keep the points of contact to a minimum. Ushers should utilize
face mask and gloves.
• Act as ushers, inviting each group to a particular part of the church, where they should
remain (no roaming around the church), maintaining physical distance.
• Aisles within the area used for indoor services are designated as one-way to support physical
distancing.
• Parishes are to observe the following protocols regarding music and singing for all Masses
and liturgical celebrations:
o Group singing is discouraged at all Masses and religious services. Choirs or groups
of singers of any size are not allowed during any Mass or religious service, whether
indoors or outdoors.
o Parishes that utilize a cantor during Mass outdoors must ensure that the cantor is
properly screened for COVID-19 symptoms and always practices enhanced social
distancing of at least 12 feet away from anyone else. The cantor should wear a
facemask at all times.
o Parishes that utilize a cantor indoors should follow all the same recommendations for
cantors outdoors and, in addition, the cantor should remain in an isolated, separate or
barrier protected location, as far from other people as reasonably possible. The
cantor should wear a facemask at all times unless alone in a separate room.
o Parishes can also choose to use instruments only. Instrumentalists must maintain
physical distancing and use facemasks.
o Wind and brass instruments should be avoided and are discouraged from use.
o Congregations are discouraged from singing in the church and outdoors as well; they
should be encouraged to pray silently with the music instead.
o Parishes can also choose not to use a cantor or instrumentalist.
• Parishes are to observe the following protocols for all Masses and religious services:
o During the invitation to the Sign of Peace, instructions should be given that no
physical contact should be made.
o Do not pass collection baskets or receptacles for offerings during the preparation of
the altar. Instead, baskets are to be placed in a location where people can provide
their donations as they enter or exit the seating area.
o No sharing of bibles, books, papers, or other items. If worship aids are used, they
must be one-time use.
o Holy Communion will be offered only in the form of bread, on the hand. The priest
should sanitize his hands before offering Communion, after making any physical
contact with someone while giving Communion, and after Communion has
concluded.
o Lines for Communion will be monitored so that communicants stand 6 feet apart and
6 feet distant from other participants in pews.

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara
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o The distribution of Communion may take place at its usual time or immediately after
the conclusion of Mass, using the form given in the Rite for Holy Communion
Outside of Mass.
o Masks must be worn during the distribution of Communion.
o Altar servers may serve during Masses with parent’s approval and in keeping with all
health regulations.

Outdoor Mass and Other Liturgical Celebrations

• For Masses and other religious services held outdoors, please refer to the above and note the
following:
o Masses (e.g., Weekday, Sunday, First Communions, Confirmation, Weddings,
Funerals, Quinceañeras) and other religious services (e.g., Baptisms, Adoration,
Devotions, Prayer Services, “Wedding Without Mass,” “Funeral Liturgy Outside
Mass,” Faith Formation, Confessions, Prayer Groups) are safer when held outdoors.
This is encouraged whenever possible.
o There is no limit to attendance for outdoor religious services, provided there is room
for social distancing of at least six feet between family units.
o Even outdoors, parishioners must wear face coverings and practice social distancing
(6 feet apart, unless they are family members who live together in the same house).

Livestream Mass

• Mass may be held inside the church for the purpose of live-stream or recording.
• A Mass attended by congregants may also be live-streamed or recorded, whether indoors (if
permitted by their respective County) or outdoors.
• Observing physical distancing, all those involved in the celebration of Mass must be in the
same location and time as the Presider.
• Live-streamed Mass can be followed by outdoor distribution of Communion using the form
given in the Rite for Holy Communion Outside of Mass.

Churches Open for Prayer

• Churches can open for private prayer, Adoration, indoor confession, or other devotions
during the day, provided that physical distancing, facemask wearing, sanitizing procedures,
and all other appropriate protocols are also observed. Staff and/or volunteers should be on-
hand to ensure that protocols are observed by parishioners visiting for prayer.
• Churches can be opened to prayer groups, provided that physical distancing, facemask
wearing, sanitizing procedures, and all other appropriate protocols are also observed.
• Parishes should minimize potential points of contact (e.g., baptismal fonts and holy water
containers at church entrances should be empty; hymnals and missalettes should be removed
from pews; tapers should be removed from votive candle racks; frequently touched objects
such as statues, etc., should be cordoned off).

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara
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Confessions

In addition to what is provided above and applicable to the celebration of the Sacrament of
Reconciliation, the following are also observed:
• Priests who are present may hear individual Confessions upon request and have scheduled
Confession times. A location must be arranged, either in the body of the church (not in a
confessional) or outdoors, so that confessions may be heard with safe distancing while
maintaining privacy for the seal of the confession.
• Space must be provided for penitents to wait in line while maintaining safe distancing.
• Both priest and penitent must wear facemasks.
• The priest and penitent must remain at least 6 feet apart. They do not need to face one
another. Ideally both will remain standing, so as to minimize points of contact. If priest and
penitent are seated, they may sit side-by-side, facing in the same direction, so as to help
maintain hygiene. Penitent’s chair and other points of contact must be wiped down when
penitent leaves. Priests should always be aware of maintaining privacy for the penitent.

Baptisms

In addition to what is provided above and applicable to the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism,
the following are also observed:
• Immersion fonts will not be used to confer Baptism. Blessed water will be poured into
smaller containers, and each person will be baptized with water poured from a different
container. The water will not be reused. Dispose of excess water appropriately after the
Baptism is finished.
• The proper Trinitarian formula must be used.
• The use of the Oil of Catechumens and the “Ephphatha” may be omitted. If not omitted, the
minister may use an instrument (e.g., cotton ball, cotton swab, cotton pad) to apply the Oil.
If an instrument is used to anoint with Oil, the instrument may not be reused; a new
instrument must be used if there are multiple individuals. Once the instrument has been used
it must be set aside and later burned as it contains Holy Oil.
• When using Sacred Chrism, the minister may also use an instrument (e.g., cotton ball, cotton
swab, cotton pad) to apply the Sacred Chrism. The same conditions apply as noted in the
previous bullet point.

Confirmations

In addition to what is provided above and applicable to the celebration of the Sacrament of
Confirmation, parishes should also refer to the directives given by the presiding bishop.

Weddings/Funerals/Quinceañeras

Refer to what is provided observing all appropriate protocols.

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Anointing of the Sick

As in important part of ministry, priests are to attend to the needs of those who ask for the
Anointing of the Sick.
• Priests attending to the needs of the sick or homebound are to observe all proper sanitizing
procedures. If in a hospital setting, check-in with proper medical personnel and follow their
directions before entering and upon leaving the room of the patient. For home visits, this
includes but may not be limited to handwashing before and after the visit, wearing gloves, a
facemask, and a gown to cover clothes.
• Priests must clean and refresh their oil stocks before visiting each sick person.
• Instead of using his hand, the priest may use an instrument, such as cotton-tipped swab or
cotton ball, to anoint the sick person (cf. CIC 1000, §2). The priest dips the cotton-tipped
swab or cotton ball in the oil to administer the Sacrament. Please take care of using only one
swab per person and dispose of the instrument appropriately (e.g., by burning or burying in
the ground).
• If desired by the person requesting the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, priests may
hear the confession of the sick person and grant individual absolution.
• If you find out that you have been exposed to the coronavirus, immediately contact your
health care provider. As a result, you may be required to quarantine yourself. In addition,
report all positive COVID-19 cases to the Archdiocese using the form located here under
COVID-19 Report in the Archdiocesan Handbook: COVID-19 Reporting. In the event that a
positive COVID-19 case involves an employee or clergy, written notice must be given
within one business day to all other employees who have been at the same worksite.

Holy Communion to the Homebound

• Those who are “homebound” include those who, because of age, illness or disability, cannot
attend Mass or those who feel that their health would be at risk if they were to attend. These
individuals may request to receive Holy Communion at their homes. Extraordinary ministers
of Holy Communion may be utilized to fulfill this request.
• Each request for Holy Communion should be treated individually by the pastor of a parish
and his prudential judgment will determine the pastoral approach. Pastors are asked to
seriously consider the health risks to the homebound and to the ministers before arranging
these visits. The devotion and reverence due the Most Blessed Sacrament should never be
compromised.
• During the time of COVID-19, special care should be used in the performance of this
ministry. If extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are to be used for this ministry,
they should be well trained, not only in the distribution of the Holy Communion, but also
with regard to the special circumstances of this ministry at this time. It is highly
recommended that these ministers should be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and should
be prepared to present their vaccination certificate upon entrance to the home or facility.
They should wear face coverings and attempt to maintain social distancing as much as
practical while carrying out their ministry. If available, PPE should be used. The ministers
should wash their hands and change PPE between visits to different homes and/or facilities.
• If Homebound ministry is to take place at a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital,
or other medical or convalescent facility, the minister must follow the rules and protocols of
the facility, so long as those rules and protocols are not in conflict with Catholic teachings.

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara
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• If the visit is at a person's home, visits should be held in a well-ventilated area inside the
living space or outside if whenever possible.
• It is not necessary for the recipient of Homebound Ministry to be fully vaccinated. It may
not be possible for the recipient to be vaccinated, or the recipient may choose not to be
vaccinated. These people should not be denied Holy Communion, but the ministers should
be told if this is the case, and only those ministers willing to accept the risk should be
allowed to bring Holy Community to unvaccinated people.

Parish Offices

• Face coverings must be worn by staff working in cubicles, including cubicles equipped with
partitions. The only exceptions are for staff working alone in a private office with the door
closed, or any staff while eating or drinking.
• At all times when eating or drinking, staff must maintain a 6-foot distance from others and
should do so outdoors. Eating or drinking at a cubicle or workstation is preferred to eating in
a breakroom.
• Entry screenings are conducted before employees or visitors may enter the workspace.
Checks must include a check-in concerning cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing
and fever or chills and if the employee is currently under isolation or quarantine orders.
These checks can be done remotely or in person upon the employees’ arrival. A temperature
check should also be done at the worksite if feasible.
• Report all positive COVID-19 cases to the Archdiocese using the form located here under
COVID-19 Report in the Archdiocesan Handbook: COVID-19 Reporting. In the event that a
positive COVID-19 case involves an employee or clergy, written notice must be given
within one business day to all other employees who have been at the same worksite.
• In the event that 3 or more cases are identified within the workplace (including cases among
staff, clergy and/or congregants) within a span of 14 days the employer must report this
cluster to the Department of Public Health at (888) 397-3993 or (213) 240-7821. If a cluster
is identified at a worksite, the Department of Public Health will initiate a cluster response
which includes providing infection control guidance and recommendations, technical
support, and site-specific control measures. A public health case manager will be assigned to
the cluster investigation to help guide the facility response.

Pastoral Regions: Our Lady of the Angels San Fernando San Gabriel San Pedro Santa Barbara