MASS ATTENDANCE FOR 2021
(Updated July 5, 2021)
SPECIAL THANKS to everyone for adhering to the latest guidelines which the state, county and city are asking, effective June 30, 2021.
REMINDER:
Even though state guidelines are still recommended, masks and capacity limits for religious worship will no longer be enforceable because of a November 2020 Supreme Court ruling, a December 2020 Supreme Court order and November 2020 El Paso County statement (see details below).
Colorado Public Health Order dated June 30, 2021 leaves as unenforceable masks and capacity limits for religious worship. In addition, PHO 20-38 “implements reduced restrictions for individuals, businesses and activities”.
Because of these court actions:
- We will continue to encourage social distancing by having families sitting together as “family units”.
- The 7:30am Sunday Mass is limited to those who call us first with a special reason for attending, for example, being more comfortable following the state guidelines like mask wearing.
- The 9:00am Sunday Mass will be for everyone else.
- Daily Masses, Confessions, chapel cleaning etc. will follow the same guidelines. The schedules for these will be posted with the weekly announcements.
DETAILS OF COURT RULINGS, ETC.:
In a statement on November 25, 2020, entitled “Faith-Based Organizations”, officials of the El Paso County Health Department informed the public that they will not be enforcing capacity limits or mask requirements on churches. Their document referenced the October 15, 2020, Colorado Federal Court (Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-02362-DDD-NRN) temporary injunction prohibiting enforcement in places of worship of these two restrictions: masks and capacity limits. The county added that “while these two restrictions are not at the present time enforceable in places of worship, we would like to reiterate the effectiveness of layering public health preventive measures and ask that people in places of worship voluntarily comply with” the items in the Postscript below.
Also, on November 25, 2020, the U. S. Supreme Court issued an injunction (592 U.S. [2020] 1; No. 20A87) against severe restrictions on religious services because:
- they “violate ‘the minimum requirement of neutrality’ to religion”;
- they “will cause irreparable harm. ‘The loss of First Amendment freedoms, for even minimal periods of time, unquestionably constitutes irreparable injury.’”
- “it has not been shown that” not enforcing the restrictions “will harm the public”.
On December 3, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order (Order List : 592 U.S.) (20A94) which referred to its November 25, 2020 injunction (see above) and used it as a precedent in relaxing guidelines for churches in California.
In conjunction with the above and while making use of the data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 26, 2020, no one attending our Masses will be required to disregard any current state regulations.
Our Sunday Mass schedule is based on the El Paso County Variance dated June 5, 2020 and its reopening guidelines of August 3, 2020. Our chapel is a “critical service” as found in Colorado Orders D2020 044 and 20-28 and is open following their guidelines.
PROTOCOLS WHILE AT CHAPEL
- Anyone who attends is responsible for his/her own health. Please remember to think of your neighbor’s well-being as well. We cannot assume any responsibility for the health of participants.
- Our Sunday Mass schedule is designed so that everyone has the opportunity to fulfill his Sunday obligation safely.
- Please no sick persons nor those with symptoms of illness.
- Please enter only through the front door near the Holy Family statue and classroom and exit only through the chapel doors in the vestibule. Try to exit quietly and avoid doing so during Masses.
- We have increased ventilation by propping open interior doors so fans will be circulating air. Please wear a coat if you are sensitive to the cold.
- It is recommended to observe the six-foot social distancing rule and wear a mask.
- The restrooms may be used. Please disinfect the restroom after use. Hand sanitizers are available.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- We have thoroughly cleaned the chapel. Disinfectants are available in accordance with CDC and state guidelines. Please assist with this if asked.
- We have invited our people individually by phone call and email/text to attend Mass. We explained the process to them, and the information herein contained.
- Families can sit together, but there should be at least six feet distance between family units, and more if possible.
- We have planned one-way traffic in and out of the building, with a separate entrance door and exit door on opposite sides of the building.
- We have posted signs on and within the facility that explain the service protocol.
- We have provided hand sanitizer.
POSTSCRIPT
The following has been recommended to us and we share this information with you:
- Take temperature, wear freshly washed clothing, refrain from drinking or eating before coming so as to avoid using the restrooms.
- Use the restroom prior to leaving home.
- Wash clothing following the service.
- Stay home for at least 14 days if you know you have come in contact with an individual – with a confirmed case of COVID-19.
- Wear your mask
- Practice social distancing by maintaining six feet of distance
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water (if soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol)
- Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently
- Stay home when you are sick
If you are experiencing symptoms, seek testing. Information about community testing sites can be found here: http://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/covid-19-testing-information
