Planning for Masses at Saint Andrew’s

 

CURRENT CONDITION: A Stay at Home order remains in effect for all of Montgomery County. Phase I of gradual reopening will begin on Monday, June 1. No public Masses are currently offered at Saint Andrew’s. 

Father Dan Leary is currently working with the Pastoral Council on the planning and process for an outdoor Mass on Monday, June 1 according to the guidelines issued by the Archdiocese of Washington.

 

Archdiocese of Washington

The Archdiocese of Washington includes the District of Columbia and five surrounding Maryland counties of St. Mary’s, Charles, Calvert, Prince George’s and Montgomery. An Archdiocesan plan for celebrating public Masses, following updated state and district guidelines, was issued on May 14 <HERE>.  Public Masses may resume starting Monday, May 25 within the Archdiocese of Washington in local jurisdictions that have lifted restrictions. For remaining jurisdictions within the Archdiocese that still have stay at home restrictions in place on May 25, resuming public Masses will wait until the restrictions are lifted.

When the current restrictions are eased and the faithful are able to gather for Mass again, some changes will be essential to ensure the health and safety of those who attend. These include:

• Social distancing
• Wearing a mask
• Limited Attendance at Mass
• Limited Church seating
• Liturgical changes – such as distribution of Holy Communion under one species, no exchange of the sign of peace, no holy water fonts, etc. – will remain in effect

Additionally, the Dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation, issued on March 12, 2020, is still in effect until further notice for those who choose to remain at home, such as those particularly vulnerable due to age or pre-existing health conditions.

More information is available on the Archdiocese of Washington coronavirus webpage <HERE> and Archbishop Gregory’s video message below.

Please continue to monitor the Archdiocese of Washington’s website and state and county websites below for announcements on reopening conditions during this fluid situation. Father Dan Leary will provide updates on the specific implementation of the plan for reopening for the parish as the situation evolves.

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Maryland

Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland signed a new Executive Order to begin Stage One effective May 15 at 5:00pm of the ‘Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery,’ which includes moving from a Stay at Home order to a Safer at Home public health advisory and the gradual reopening of houses of worship. Further information on the announcement of Stage One is <HERE>.

The Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives issued specific guidance and best practices for religious services on May 13 <HERE>.  Churches and houses of worship may begin to safely hold religious services, at up to 50 percent capacity, with outdoor services strongly encouraged. However, due to the variability in COVID-19 conditions across the state, Stage One will be implemented with a flexible, community-based approach that empowers individual jurisdictions (such as Montgomery County) to make decisions regarding the timing of reopenings.

Montgomery County

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich signed an Executive Order continuing the County’s Stay at Home order until COVID-19 data shows it is safe to move towards reopening. The order, in effect since May 15, keeps in place the current restrictions and permits activities that were in place during the State’s stay at home order.

On May 28, County Executive Marc Elrich announced that critical benchmarks to reduce the spread of COVID-19 had been achieved, allowing the county to begin a gradual reopening. Phase 1 will start on Monday, June 1. Additional details are <HERE>.