Liturgical Practices Reinstated

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In a May 26 memo, Bishop Oscar A. Solis presented new health and safety directives for the Diocese of Salt Lake City, based on guidelines from the Centers of Disease Control and the Utah governor’s office. The following practices are allowed:

• Choirs and altar servers may be reinstated, but in a manner that mitigates risk of spread of the virus.

• Entrance procession of main celebrant and ministers;

• Offering of gifts and the passing of the collection basket by ushers;

• Sign of peace through a gesture of a nod, bow or hand wave;

• Holy water may be restored to fonts at the doors, but should be changed daily, and the area around the fonts that are touched by the faithful should be sanitized frequently;

• Parish bulletins, hymnals and other materials in the pews may be made available using prudential judgement;

• Parishes should provide sanitizing stations in public areas and make masks available to assist in good hygiene and safety;

• Sacraments such as Reconciliation and Baptism ought to continue as usual, using prudential judgment regarding safety precautions;

• Every attempt should be made to visit and anoint the sick at home or in the hospital in a manner that is safe for the visitor, the sick person, and other members of the household/staff;

• Communion visits to the homebound by lay ministers or clergy may resume using prudential judgment and proper mitigation.