NEW RESTRICTIONS

The Diocesan COVID Task Force [CTF], which has consistently strongly encouraged everyone to wear proper face masks, to maintain 6’ physical [social] distance from those not living in their households, and to wash/sanitize their hands regularly, meet this past week to evaluate the current situation.  As a result, the CTF and Bishop Nickless has issued the following mandates effective 20 November 2020 affecting our parishes until further notice:

1. 1. All “In person” parish group meeting/events (regardless of size) must go to virtual gatherings including but is not limited to:  Religious Education Programs, Parish Board and Leadership Meetings, Meetings in General, KC Meetings at Parish Facilities, Women’s Guild, Bible Study, Adult Education, RCIA, Marriage Prep, Baptism Prep, and Youth Groups.

   2. Parish facilities are closed to outside group meetings… Scouts, etc.

   3. No funeral dinners, receptions or parties, facility rentals

   4. The wearing of masks by all staff are to wear a mask when they leave their personal work area and when working in a common workspace with other co-workers.

   5. Regarding the celebration of the Sacraments:

      1. The use of cantors is prohibited with the exception of the liturgies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

      2. No singing of Mass parts.

      3. Recorded music is not allowed during liturgies.

      4. NO congregational singing.

      5. Instrumental music is allowed during liturgies.

      6. The duration of our liturgies should not exceed 30 minutes when at all possible.

   6. The following live events are approved when social distancing, masks and the following of sanitization procedures are utilized

      1. Private meetings with one or two people

      2. Drive through fund raisers, dinners, sold products, food pantry services, etc.

   7. There is no change to the current attendance and scheduling protocols for the following: weekend/weekday Masses, Sacrament of Reconciliation, weddings, funerals, adoration, other Sacraments

Thus, the parish offices remained closed to the public.  However, if you need to meet with me or any staff member, please call first.  And face masks are required in the office as they have been for many months as also for attending Masses, funerals, weddings, etc. on parish property.  No one is permitted to enter our buildings and to attend Mass and other events in the parishes of the Diocese of Sioux City without a face mask with a few exceptions along with 6’ physical [social] distancing between households, regular/frequent hand washing/sanitizing, and covering the mouth with the inner elbow whenever coughing or sneezing even while wearing a face mask.  This is being done in accordance with CDC, diocesan, and parish directives to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our parishes, community, and Diocese and keep people as safe as possible and to provide for a safe environment for the safe celebration of the Sacraments.

COMPLETE LIST OF THE NEW RESTRICTIONS FROM BISHOP NICKLESS AND CTF ISSUED 11/12/20:

The Bishop and COVID Task Force MANDATES, due to the risk of heighted spread of COVID-19, that effective on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 until further notice:

Parish Facilities are closed to outside group meetings… Scouts, etc.

The following live events are approved when social distancing, masks and the following of sanitization procedures are utilized

• Private Meetings with one or two people
• Drive Through Fund Raisers/ Dinners/Sold Products/Food Pantry services, etc.

Mandate for parish facilities effective on Nov. 20, 2020 (until further notice).

• No Funeral Dinners
• No Receptions or Parties
• No Facility Rentals

*     Exception - If you already parish facilities rented out, contact Fr. Brad on how to resolve the situation.  This will be handled on a case by case basis.
**   Exception - if parish schools are using parish halls, meeting rooms or other facilities for lunches, education venues, and such to comply with COVID Protocols, they may continue to do so. 

Mandate on singing/music during liturgies effective Nov. 20, 2020 (until further notice).

• The use of cantors is prohibited with the exception of the liturgies on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• No singing of Mass parts
• Recorded music is not allowed during liturgies
• NO congregational singing
• Instrumental music is allowed during Liturgies

Mandate on the wearing of masks effective Nov. 20, 2020 (until further notice).  While in the office, hall or other buildings, all parish and Central Catholic Office staff are to wear a mask when they leave their personal work area, and are to constantly wear their masks when working in a common workspace with other co-workers.

All Diocesan school and religious education program activity involving music/singing is to be done virtually with no live audience (until further notice). 

Sports
As it applies to school sports, there is no clear line of authority enabling the Diocese to make a definitive decisions, therefor, Bishop Nickless and the Task Force HIGHLY RECOMMEND that all audiences for school sports events be virtual in nature (until further notice).

Important Reminder:
The duration of our Liturgies should not exceed 30 minutes when at all possible.