YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - After the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown announced it is resuming public Masses and liturgies on May 25, the diocese has released several guidelines for all its parishes to follow.

These directives/guidelines currently remain in effect by order of Bishop George Murry and will be revised or changed should any further directive issued by Governor Mike DeWine, the Bishops of Ohio or Bishop Murry.

These guidelines are considered to be temporary unitl it is determined safe to return to the normal circumstances.

According to a release, the Catholic faithful who reside in the Diocese of Youngstown and all other Catholics in the diocese and especially those who are sick, or at high risk of becoming sick continue to be dispensed from their Sunday obligation until further notice. The Easter Duty obligation is extended for a period of one year from the end of the Easter Season 2020. 

A full list of the general guidelines can be listed down below.

Here is what will happen during Mass.

Holy water fonts are to remain empty until further notice.

All hymnals/missalettes are to be removed and stored for the time being. At each Mass, disposable worship aids should be distributed and then discarded. 

The practice of passing baskets throughout the assembly is temporarily suspended. Some options are to use traditional long-handled baskets or to place stationary baskets at the entrances of the church for worshippers to drop their offering at the beginning of Mass. 

Physical contact during the Lord's Prayer (holding hands) and the Sign of Peace is suspended. For the Sign of Peace those present are encouraged to bow to others and offer words of peace.

As for receiving Holy Communication, it is highly encouraged and strongly recommended that the reception of Holy Communion be given in the hand. While reception of Holy Communion on the tongue cannot be prohibited it is discouraged at this time.

 

For distribution of Holy Communion on the tongue, those desiring to receive Holy Communion on the tongue are permitted to do so.

In this instance, they are to be last in line and receive only from the priest.

In the unfortunate circumstance that the priest's fingers come in contact with the mouth and/or saliva of the communicant, he must immediately sanitize his fingers before continuing with the next in line.

Reception of the Precious Blood from the chalice by the assembly is temporarily suspended. 

Appropriate spacing between individuals in the Communion Procession is to be maintained. 

Holy Communion is also not to be distributed with gloves, nor may it be received in the hand with gloves.

When approaching the minister, the communicant is to pull their mask, if wearing one, below their chin. The minister, after saying, "Body of Christ," is to carefully place the host into the hand of the communicant avoiding any incidental contact. Communicants, after responding 'Amen," reverently place the Eucharist in their mouth and replace their mask. 

Parishoners can contact their parish with any further questions of the Office of Worship 330-744-8451 ext. 282.