Ash Wednesday Guidance
On Jan. 12, 2021, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued guidance for the distribution of ashes in time of a pandemic:
The Priest says the prayer for blessing the ashes. He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without saying anything. Then he addresses all those present and only once says the formula as it appears in the Roman Missal, applying it to all in general: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel” or “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The Priest then cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask and distributes the ashes to those who come to him or, if appropriate, he goes to those who are standing in their places. The Priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each one without saying anything.
General and Provincial Chapters During Pandemic
The Congregation for Religious Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life (CICLSAL) issued a letter on July 1, 2020, regarding the use of telecommunications for formal meetings of a major superior with his council. Additionally, the letter states that telecommunications are not allowed for General and Provincial Chapters, “but only by means of physical presence.”
Read the July guidance here and see the April 2020 letter regarding contact with CICLSAL.
COVID-19 Vaccines and Catholic Moral Guidance
- Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: Note on the morality of using some anti-COVID-19 vaccines (Dec. 21, 2020)
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Statement from chairmen of doctrinal and pro-life committees (Dec. 14, 2020)
Mental Health in Time of a Pandemic
Emily Cash, Psy.D., Saint Luke Institute | handout
David Shellenberger, RN, BSN, Saint John Vianney Center
Ministry and Health Care Resources
- Religious Institutes: The Resource Center for Religious Institutes (RCRI) has made a number of COVID-related resources available to non-members, under “News.”
- Immigration: Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) resource page
- Health care: Catholic Health Association resource page (ethics, spirituality, government, advocacy, and events)
- Ministering with young people: National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry resources and ideas
- Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 website
- World Health Organization global guidance
- Hand-washing Catholic-style downloadable flyer (English, Spanish, Vietnamese) from the Diocese of Dallas
Communications Resources
- Digitally engaging parishioners through the pandemic, Facebook Live, suggested equipment and more (Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee)
- Suggested livestreaming equipment and resources from the Archdiocese of Washington, plus link to USCCB guide
- Facebook Live (mobile phone and Facebook account needed): watch this video
- YouTube (if you have fewer than 1,000 followers on your channel, you will need to use a webcam for live video): YouTube instructions
- The Catholic Apostolate Center resource page
- Video meetings – popular options: Zoom (limited free option available), GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet