THIS WEEK'S reflection

PLAN FOR REOPENING CHURCHES

  The Bishops of the Six Dioceses in Illinois have reached an agreement with the Governor on a multi-phase Plan for reopening our churches for the celebration of the sacraments, private prayer, adoration and Mass. There are four guiding principles that undergird the multi-phased Plan:

1.      Everything possible should be done to provide people the solace of the Church’s sacramental life in a timely and reasonable way.

2.     The current situation in Illinois remains dangerous and fragile. 

3.     Trust needs to be established that the top priority in any Plan is the safely and wellbeing of people.

4.     Each person will need to take personal responsibility for the common good as well as their own safety.

The basics of the plan are:

1.     Each parish is to have a Reopening Leadership Team of at least six people to work with the pastor in implementing each phase. The members of the team will be required to complete a training by the way of a webinar on the required measures and phases for reopening. Our Reopening Leadership Team is Fr. Carl, Keith Huels, Karen Lundy, Lizanne Young, MaryBeth Babcock, Jim VonDerHaar & Dave Boser.

2.     We will also need additional volunteers to assist the Reopening Leadership Team to assist with various aspects of the reopening: 1) Set-up Team; 2) Greeting Team; and Cleaning Team. All volunteers will be properly trained. 

Phase I allows for parishes to reopen for Baptisms, Reconciliation, Weddings and Funerals with a limit of 10 attendees, not to begin before May 30.

Phase IA allows for parishes to reopen for private prayer and adoration with a limit of 10 attendees. (beginning date to be determined)

Phase II allows for reopening for weekday and weekend Masses for larger groups depending upon guidelines from the state and the capacity of the church building. (beginning date to be determined)

Parishes or pastors may not alter the number of allowed worshippers, social distancing, face covering or sanitizing guidelines included as part of this Plan.

Immaculate Conception parish will continue to livestream the celebration of the Eucharist each weekend for those who because of health reasons may not feel comfortable joining us in church for Mass when it reopens (Phase II)