COVID-19 Resources and FAQ

masks

Here is a new page for COVID-19 Resources and FAQ to help you navigate your spiritual and family life during this time. We will be posting more information here, on our parish Facebook page, and on our app as it becomes available.

Face coverings are now optional.

Capacity

  • All capacity restrictions are lifted.
  • Masses, liturgies, sacramental celebrations, parish/school events and all offices may resume 100% capacity.

Physical Distancing

  • Physical distancing is NOT required for vaccinated persons.
  • Physical distancing is recommended by public health authorities, when possible, for unvaccinated persons if conditions allow up to 6 ft. of separation.

Masks 

  • Masks are no longer required for all parishioners, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Masks are recommended by public health authorities for unvaccinated indoors, particularly in crowded venues.

Hand Sanitizing

  • Hand sanitizer will remain prominently available.

Masses and Liturgies

  • All forms of sacramental and liturgical ministry may resume normal practice with a few minor exceptions noted below.
  • Registration is no longer required.
  • Proof of vaccination is not required for attendance at any liturgies or services.
  • Holy Water fonts may be filled and used.
  • Choirs, congregational signing, oral responses, use of worship aids, envelopes and bulletins may be fully resumed.
  • The Sign of Peace may be restored, allowing people the option to exchange in whatever way they feel comfortable
  • Reception of Holy Communion:
    • Receiving Holy Communion in the hand no longer requires extra hand sanitizing on the part of the Communicant. However, the priest and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion should continue to sanitize their hands prior to distributing Communion.
    • Receiving Holy Communion on the tongue may resume; however, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must have hand sanitizer nearby and use it immediately in the event of contact with saliva (which is good practice in all circumstances).
    • Distributing/receiving Holy Communion from the cup remains suspended at this time. The Archdiocese will communicate once sharing of the cup may resume.

Social gatherings

  • All social gatherings (potlucks, office luncheons, parish picnics, carnivals, etc.) may resume while incorporating the guidance on masks and physical distancing noted here.

More from the Archdiocese:
Public Listening Session and Feedback for Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccine
Abridged Reopening Planning Playbook
Reopening FAQ for Parents
Message from Chief of Academics
What to Expect When Returning to School

Online Mass Alternatives:

  • ABC7 will broadcast Sunday Mass from Holy Name Cathedral celebrated by Cardinal Blase Cupich at 9:30AM. It will also be available on their Youtube channel Saturdays at 4PM. Daily Mass will be broadcast via Youtube from St. James Chapel at 10AM.
  • Sunday Mass is aired from Mercy Home at 9:30AM on WGN. Check for local listings or view Mass online.
  • Daily Mass is aired several times a day on EWTN. Use the “channel finder“ to determine your local station.
  • St. Benedict Parish will stream Mass daily, Mon-Sat at 8:30AM and the weekly Vigil Mass every Saturday at 5PM. Check their live-streampage or watch the video on their Facebook page. Each video will be made available for playback within an hour of the initial broadcast.

Pray

  • Make a Spiritual Communion.
  • Use our parish app to access a wealth of Lenten resources, daily Mass readings, prayers, the rosary and more. Download from your smart phone here.
  • Request special prayer intentions via the “Prayer Wall” via our app.
  • Give Us This Day includes daily Mass texts.
  • Phone a “prayer buddy.” Pray together with friends and family via telephone or FaceTime/Skype.
  • Request a Prayer Blanket if you are seriously ill or have a family member who becomes ill. We will arrange delivery.

Links:

SRB holy family statue 472-394

SRB FAQ’s:
In case of grave illness, contact the Rectory Office at 773-777-2666.

Is the Church open?  Yes.

Is the school open? Yes. We are operating safely using CDC-informed guidelines from the Archdiocese of Chicago Schools.

Prayer for a Pandemic by Cameron Bellm

May we who are merely inconvenienced
Remember those whose lives are at stake.
May we who have no risk factors
Remember those most vulnerable.
May we who have the luxury of working from home
Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent.
May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close
Remember those who have no options.
May we who have to cancel our trips
Remember those that have no safe place to go.
May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market
Remember those who have no margin at all.
May we who settle in for a quarantine at home
Remember those who have no home.
As fear grips our country,
let us choose love.
During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,
Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors.
Amen.