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Latest COVID Policy Updates
As of Wednesday, March 2, the school policy has changed to make masks recommended, but not required. In accordance with that policy, masks are now encouraged, but not required, at all events at St. Rita Parish. The rest of the update below remains the same.. (updated 3/2/22)
A Change in St. Rita Church’s Masking Policy (updated 2/25/22)
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Having observed that the number of daily new cases of Covid-19 in our area continue to decline, as do the number of hospitalizations, it is time for us to return to our policies that were in place before the latest Omicron surge.
Beginning this Saturday, February 26, masks are strongly encouraged - but not required at Masses - with the following exception:
We will set aside two sections of pews (the two that are farthest to your right as you enter the church) where distancing will be observed and masks are required.
This policy extends also to parish meetings of ministries, committees, and other gatherings and events. There is a great importance attached to the participation of parishioners in the life of the church. Please, out of love and unity, extend special considerations to those who, because of vulnerability or desire, need to continue to wear a mask during gatherings so that they can safely and comfortably participate.
Faith Formation and Youth events at St. Rita will continue to follow St. Rita School and Webster Central School health and safety policies which currently includes masking. Policies are subject to change going forward and we will keep you informed.
Please continue to pray for one another and especially an end to this pandemic.
Thank you so very much for your ongoing understanding, patience, and cooperation.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tim
St. Rita Continues to Require Masks in All of the Parish Buildings. (updated 2/11/22)
Dear St. Rita Parishioners.
St. Rita Parish will continue to require masks to be worn in all of our parish building even though the NYS mandate has expired. I am writing to share with you why I have made this decision and for how long this policy will be in place.
In Monroe County, the number of cases, new infections, hospitalizations, and deaths due to covid are all declining rather steeply. This is good news.
Why are our numbers declining? It is because there are fewer indoor gatherings than there were during the holidays and because masks work. The risk from unmasked, indoor gatherings is still very real. The Omicron variant has not disappeared, and the guidance of the CDC is still to wear masks when gathering in large groups indoors.
It is not yet the time to let up on the efforts that keep Mass as safe as possible for our community. I am deeply grateful for your patience and understanding while we mask up for each other and for our guests, especially as an act of care for our most vulnerable neighbors.
Therefore, the policy of wearing masks (for all individuals over the age of two) inside the buildings of St. Rita Parish will continue to be in effect. This policy will be reevaluated on or near Friday, Feb 26, 2022. This will give us about two and a half weeks to see what recommendations may be forthcoming as well as how the numbers are trending now that the NYS masking mandate has expired.
What are the data and criteria that will be used in reevaluating this policy in March?
- The recommendations of the CDC and the Monroe County Department of Public Health will be important.
- The positivity rate (currently at over 10%) and community transmission rate (currently “high”) will be considered.
- The seven-day rolling average of new cases each day in Monroe County (currently about 250) will also be considered.
In evaluating our policies, we will be looking at the levels and trends of these numbers*. To warrant a change in our masking policy at St. Rita, each of these metrics should be significantly lower and show a stable or declining trend.
Please continue to pray for our St. Rita community and for healing and relief in all the countless, painful ways this pandemic has caused harm to our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Tim
*the data used is taken from CDC Covid-19 Tracker: COVID-19 Integrated County View (https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker) for Monroe County as of February 8, 2022.
Beginning Monday, December 6, 2021, everyone will be required to wear a mask at all times,in all buildings, and at all events.This includes all Masses, events, meetings, funerals, and baptisms.
I realize this policy will be a frustration to some and yet a relief to others. I do understand that there are various built-in responses in our minds that we each might have which influence how we will respond to this policy.
I am asking and encouraging each of us to reach beyond our usual and expected responses and come together to take this action as an expression of our faith to Christ’s command to love one another and sincerely think of your fellow parish family members.
Our parish community and wider community need our love and support!
The number of people in hospitals because of Covid-19 and the number of families and people suffering so badly that they are in the ICU is distressing. The statistics show that the situation is worse this year than at this point last year. We are hearing from more parish families with young children that Covid has entered their home. This policy is a reasonable step in doing our part to lessen the spread and impact of the Pandemic on the people and families of our parish.
If we all receive this positively and speak about it positively out in the Community, then it will reflect the goodness and care of this faith community that is already well known.
Seating in the Church will remain as it is for Weekend Masses:
As you enter the Church proper, the two sections furthest to the right remain sections where physical distancing is required. Please sit only in the pews that are marked off (every other pew). The other sections of the church do not require physical distancing.
This policy will remain in effect until Monday January 13, 2022. This policy will be reviewed after the New Year to determine if it needs to be continued past the 13th and whether any other changes or adjustments to the policy are needed.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Tim
(updated 12/3/2021)
Due to the rise in Covid-19 infections in Monroe County, St. Rita Church is encouraging, but not requiring, all participants to wear masks while inside St. Rita’s Buildings. This encouragement is for all vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Seating arrangements have not been changed. Thank you! (updated 8/3/21)
Click here to read the policies that went into effect at St. Rita as of June 26, 2021. This includes information about the Mass schedule, seating, masking, singing, and more. (updated 6/23/21)
On Monday, June 14, 2021, the Governor lifted many of the restrictions that have been included in New York State’s Pause. On Thursday, Bishop Matano updated the Policies of the Diocese to reflect the State’s new policies. This did not, however, give me, the staff, and the Liturgy Committee the time we needed to both update the policies here at St. Rita and then communicate these changes to parishioners. The result is that, for this coming weekend, June 19/20, you will find all the masking, distancing, and seating policies the same as they were this past weekend (June 12/13).
That is, at the 5:00 pm Saturday Mass and the 10:30 am Sunday Mass, there will be a choice of seating areas where masks and physical distancing are required and also seating where masks are optional and physical distancing is not required.
At the 8:00 AM Sunday Mass, masks are required of everyone whether sitting in the sections where physical distancing is required or whether sitting where physical distancing is not required.
In all cases, many more people are returning to Mass and it is exciting and heartwarming to experience. If you have not yet returned, please know that feedback for our policies has been overwhelmingly positive and people feel welcome and safe. It is time to come back - see you soon!
Early next week, we will announce the latest policies for St. Rita as we change them to reflect the changes in State and Diocesan Policy. Do you want to be the first to know the changes? Check each day here on our website following the link “Latest Covid Policy Updates”. We will also be communicating the policy updates on St. Rita’s Facebook page and in next week’s enews. (updated 6/18/21)
Bishop Matano’s letter about the resumption of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is very pastoral and caring. Here are some things to be sure to look for and some added things that may help.
The obligation to attend Holy Mass on the Lord’s Day is a sacred one. Anyone who is frail or at risk due to advanced age or medical conditions is always excused from this obligation, and we encouraged you to use your prudential judgement throughout this pandemic to determine if it was unsafe for you to attend Mass. This remains true.
Also, if it is unsafe or impossible for you to attend Mass, please welcome God’s understanding so that you can be at peace with your current situation. If a remedy to your current situation is possible, do what you can to accomplish that remedy.
As our faith grows, our attending Mass becomes about more than an obligation. It becomes about encountering Jesus person to person and about our offering our lives and our love to him as his disciple.
If we are unable to attend Mass, it can become very distressing. It helps to find other ways to make Sunday holy. For example, reading and pondering the Scriptures for that Sunday, making an extra effort to find a Mass in which to participate online (St. Rita’s Masses are all live-streamed), or asking someone to bring you Holy Communion.
Please let us know if there is any way we can make our live steaming of Mass more impactful for you. Let us know if you would like someone to bring you the Eucharist or if you would be helped by the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Even when we are separated, we are on this journey of life, love, and faith together.
You are in my daily prayers.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Tim
(updated 6/5/21)
Reservations are not being taken for any Masses. (updated 5/17/21)