Bishop Anthony B. Taylor
This recorded message was played at weekend Masses May 8-9.
I have two pieces of good news to share with you today. First, it looks like we have made enough progress against COVID-19 to allow us to now make mask-wearing optional during Mass in our churches, effective next weekend, May 15-16. It is optional, but still recommended, especially for those who are not yet fully vaccinated or are otherwise especially vulnerable to this virus.
This one-week delay is to give vaccine-hesitant people one more week to at least get their first shot, which I strongly encourage, for one’s own good and the good of others. Though we are setting aside the mask mandate during Mass for now, please pray that the incidence of the coronavirus will continue to diminish and no new return to mask-wearing be required. In a similar vein, reception of Communion on the tongue can now resume during Mass. This loosening of our protocols does not change the mask-wearing and physical distancing requirements in our schools, hospitals and other places which establish their own policies. Moreover, local pastors can designate Masses or other times and places where mask wearing continues to be required.