Health is priority as the public is invited back to Mass

By Shelley Metcalf | Editor

As public Masses resumed in the Diocese of Austin on May 5, the physical and spiritual health of all parishioners was the main concern of diocesan leaders.
In a decree dated April 30, Bishop Joe Vásquez allowed the resumption of public Masses in compliance with health protocols established by the state of Texas. He also granted a dispensation for the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for those who are sick, those who are 65 and older, those who have been advised by healthcare providers to not attend Mass, those who sincerely believe their health or the health of others will be jeopardized by their attendance, and those who sincerely believe the limitations imposed by temporary protocols make attending Mass unreasonable. Those who are unable to attend Mass are encouraged to continue to watch or listen to Mass or to make other acts of spiritual devotion.
With the decree, the bishop distributed protocols for parishes to implement that would help protect the laity as well as the clergy from the spread of COVID-19.
Father James Misko, Vicar General for the Diocese of Austin, said these protocols are spiritual opportunities to protect the people of God.
“As our people return to our churches for the celebration of Mass, we must remember that as the body of Christ we are all interconnected. We must all work together to protect the health of one another,” he said.
The protocols include maintaining proper social distancing before, during and after Mass, providing hand-sanitizing stations upon entering churches, encouraging the use of face masks among parishioners and sanitizing churches after every Mass. Parishes are also encouraged to continue to offer livestream Masses on various social media platforms, so those who choose not to attend Mass can still participate.
Father Dean Wilhelm, pastor of St. William Parish in Round Rock, said COVID-19 evoked much fear and anxiety because “we have never done this before. We have no reference point for this type of situation.”
It was very strange to be a shepherd with only a virtual flock for all the weeks when public Masses were suspended, he said.
“Even though I knew people were with us on livestream, I choked up when I prayed, ‘Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have summoned before you,’” he said.
During the first weekend of Masses on May 9-10, St. William Parish, which with 7,200 registered families is the diocese’s largest parish, had a little more than 500 people attend Mass. The second week they welcomed about 800, said Ana-Cristina González, the chief operating officer at St. William.
“We were ready with overflow seating, but that wasn’t necessary during the first few weekends,” González said. “Going forward, though, I think we will need the overflow area.”
The parish is implementing the protocols endorsed by the diocese. As parishioners enter the church, the door is held open and they are greeted by an usher and asked to use hand sanitizer. As parishioners move to the sanctuary, a staff member leads them to a seat, which is properly distanced from other parishioners. Communion is brought to the people in the pews by clergy and Eucharistic ministers wearing masks. Parishioners are asked to wear face masks and to receive communion in the hand. When Mass concludes, parishioners are dismissed pew by pew and asked to maintain social distancing as they return to their cars. Then the parish’s facilities team sanitizes the church after each Mass.
“I think we have to realize that we have a new normal, so every week we are trying to evaluate and figure out what our new normal is,” González said.
Buzz Gilliland, the parish business administrator at St. Paul Chong Hasang Parish in Harker Heights, said the parish is offering three extra Masses each weekend to accommodate the needs of parishioners and to maintain social distancing protocols.
“The drive to receive the Eucharist is certainly there,” Gilliland said. “As people feel comfortable with coming back to Mass, I expect we will see our numbers grow each week.”
He is also thankful to the faithful support of parishioners through the suspension of Masses and as the parish re-opened.
“Our people have been very generous, they have been very patient and understanding of the changes we have implemented,” he said.
González has worked closely with other parish business administrators to share information and resources on how to implement the safety protocols but still be as welcoming as possible.
“The collaboration has been priceless,” she said. “We are truly all in this together, and it has been amazing to walk through this with other parishes who are going through the same thing.”
Going forward, González said, offering the sacraments is St. William’s main priority.
“Our candidates and catechumens will be welcomed into the church soon, then we will focus on first communions, confirmations, weddings and baptisms,” she said.
As the summer continues, the parish staff will look at ways to offer faith formation and other ministries in ways that maintain the health of all involved, González said.
Bishop Vásquez has also issued additional protocols for the celebration of confirmation through the end of 2020. Confirmations canceled during March, April and May will be rescheduled, and there are many confirmation liturgies on the bishop’s calendar for the months ahead.
Because of social distancing protocols, when the bishop or Father Misko celebrates confirmation in a parish, the following protocols have been implemented. When possible, confirmation will be celebrated within the Liturgy of the Word. Confirmation liturgies will be limited to the candidate, sponsor and two guests (parents of confirmand).
 Facemasks will be worn by candidates, sponsors and the minister of the sacrament. While pictures can be taken discreetly during the liturgy, the bishop will not be available for individual photos after the liturgy. The bishop asks parishes to livestream their confirmation liturgies so that as many people as possible can witness this milestone in the faith of the confirmands.
“I realize that our people may be disappointed with some of these protocols as they are different than what they may have been expecting. I wish they were not necessary, but I believe they are prudent during the time of this pandemic,” the bishop said in a memo to pastors.
For more information about the diocese’s response to COVID-19 and the protocols established for parishes, visit www.austindiocese.org.