During the time of the pandemic, the Bishops of the State of Ohio have granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. We received word Thursday of last week that the dispensation will no longer be in effect beginning on the weekend of June 5th/6th. As has always been the case, those who are ill, who have significant health risk factors, who care for someone who is immunocompromised or ill, as well as those who have a significant fear/anxiety of contracting the coronavirus in a large group of people are exempt.
You might ask what this will mean for us as far as some of the protocols that we have been following during this time including the wearing of masks, the social distancing, etc. The best answer that I can give right now is that, at the time of writing this article, I don't exactly know. I have heard that the Diocese is working on new & updated guidelines & practices that will be released to Pastors when they are complete. My guess is that I will have likely received those guidelines sometime this past week. Once they are received, and I have time to look them over, I'll be able to give further updates & guidance, but, for the time being, nothing is changing regarding our protocols. I will keep you updated as I know & learn more.