Effective immediately, the following updates are in place in the parishes of Immaculate Conception-Cherokee and Our Lady of Good Counsel-Holstein:
Facemasks
Facemasks are no longer required to be worn at liturgies, parish events, and in parish offices by those who have been fully vaccinated. Those who have been fully vaccinated and wish to continue wearing facemasks as a precaution may continue to do so.
Those who have not been fully vaccinated (age 2 and above) are strongly recommended to continue wearing a facemask at liturgies, parish events, and in parish offices.
Staff who have been fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear facemasks in the office. However, it is strongly recommended that the general non-staff public and office receptionists both wear facemasks when greeting one another.
Church capacity may return to 100%, without social distancing in the pews or the sanctuary.
Music
Congregational singing may resume, including the various parts of the Mass.
Hymnals, missalettes, and worship aids may be resume being used.
RESERVATIONS to attend a Sunday Mass, are no longer requested, required, or needed.
Confessions
Confessions may return to normal spacing within the church confessionals.
Screens within the confessionals are encouraged.
The Celebration of Mass
Holy water and baptismal fonts may be filled for use.
Collections may be taken up at the offertory with baskets.
Collections may be counted as normal.
The offertory procession with the presentation of the gifts of bread and wine may resume.
The Sign of Peace, which is an optional rite in the Mass, will continue to be omitted.
Holy Communion will continue to be distributed only under the species of bread.
Communion plexiglass barrier stations may be removed.
Deacons may receive the Precious Blood from an additional chalice or by way of intinction. As a general reminder, only priests are allowed to self-communicate.
It is required to sanitize fingers after giving Communion in the mouth.
The obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Day Masses will continue to be dispensed for all Catholics of the DIOCESE OF SIOUX CITY until 4 June 2021. Bishop Nickless