Archdiocese's Modification of Safety Practices Regarding COVID-19

Modification of Safety Practices Regarding COVID-19
Effective Friday, January 7, 2022

As we find our world besieged yet again by another strain of COVID-19, the time has come to
modify the directives that the churches of the Archdiocese of Hartford have been operating
under to prevent the spread of the virus. Circumstances have kept changing over the past two
years with regard to precautionary measures at Mass, but some basics are more important than
ever and need to be reintroduced given that the highly contagious variant is still spreading.

Effective Friday, January 7, 2022, parishioners attending liturgies at churches within the
Archdiocese of Hartford should wear a mask and maintain appropriate distancing in the pews
and the communion line. Additionally, it would be best to refrain from unnecessary congregating
before and after Mass.

Ministers who are distributing Holy Communion should continue to follow the directives that
have been previously issued, including wearing a mask and sanitizing prior to distribution.
None of us like to be burdened with such restrictions. Charity, however, as well the duty to take
reasonable care of our physical health and to protect that of others, requires measures
commensurate with the seriousness of the threat that is posed. We are grateful for your
cooperation with these measures, and ask that you join us in praying for good health and an end
to this pandemic