Liturgy of the Word/facemasks?

[jburns513]

As we reinstitute public liturgy, step by step, our parish will allow Lector Ministry in July (we have been using Deacons for First/Second readings since livestream and first public Holy Masses). Clergy & Staff want the lay readers to proclaim while wearing face masks. During livestream and first public Masses priests, deacons, cantors have not been using masks.
Looking at various masses broadcast online, I haven’t seen this anywhere – the Word is proclaimed unimpeded.
Has anyone seen lectors/cantors/deacons/priests using a facemask in this ministry, either in your own parish or elsewhere?

 

[TheLittleLady]

For us, parishes where the Lay Reader is at the Ambo, and is at least 12 feet away from the faithful/those on the Altar, they may read without a mask.

 

[OddBird]

Yesterday at Mass, lectors read without a mask, but the main cantor kept his throughout. The microphones are relatively new and good quality, and I could hear him quite clearly even from the back of the church.

 

[Beryllos]

Has anyone seen lectors/cantors/deacons/priests using a facemask in this ministry, either in your own parish or elsewhere?

I haven’t been to Mass yet, so I can’t report on the practice here, but I understand the medical concern. It is thought that vigorous singing or speaking can efficiently release the virus from someone who even unknowingly has it. Six feet (or twelve) doesn’t kill the virus. It only reduces the likelihood of another person breathing it in. If the other person is wearing a face mask, that also helps somewhat to reduce the likelihood.

 

[Cor_ad_Cor]

Our Archdiocesan guidelines for reopening specifically state that lectors/readers and anyone serving at the altar are NOT to wear masks but maintain proper distancing.

 

[ReaderT]

The Readers (including me) in our parish don’t use masks when reading the Epistle and are instructed not to. Same with Choir singers and those who chant the Hours.

 

[Gorgias]

Our Archdiocesan guidelines for reopening specifically state that lectors/readers and anyone serving at the altar are NOT to wear masks but maintain proper distancing.

That’s what our diocese went with, too. Those ministering in the sanctuary are not required to wear face masks; everyone outside the sanctuary is, though.

It made for interesting visuals – livestream Masses prior to the directive showed lectors wearing masks, and then all of a sudden – without notice, as it were – they weren’t. Folks were asking “wait… what???”

 

[phil19034]

In my Archdiocese, they have ruled that face masks and latex gloves are not allowed in the Sanctuary.

Lay people sitting in the pews are to wear facemasks, but anyone at the Ambo and Ordinary & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must not wear masks, nor gloves, nor use thongs, etc.

 

[Horton]

I read at Mass. I wear a mask to Mass but take it off to read. Anyone on the ambo is not close enough to worry about spread to others. We haven’t been specifically told one way or the other.

We also are not required to wear masks to Mass. It is left up to our discretion. I wear one but many do not. Also many people have not yet returned to Mass. Our priests are the only ones allowed to distribute holy communion and only the body of Christ. They must wear a mask while distributing only.

 

[runningdude]

Looking at various masses broadcast online, I haven’t seen this anywhere – the Word is proclaimed unimpeded.

Online, there is no congregation, so zero risk of exposure when the reader speaks facing the pews. No one is required to take precautions against non-existent risks.

In person, there are many unknowns, and different parishes and diocese are getting conflicting information while setting their policies for resuming public mass. Patience is advised.

 

[ChuckB]

Lay people sitting in the pews are to wear facemasks, but anyone at the Ambo and Ordinary & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must not wear masks, nor gloves, nor use thongs, etc.

Are boxers or briefs okay?

 

[ChemicalBean]

Haha! It’s good to cover all ones “bases” while at Holy Mass…

 

[phil19034]

phil19034:

Lay people sitting in the pews are to wear facemasks, but anyone at the Ambo and Ordinary & Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must not wear masks, nor gloves, nor use thongs, etc.

Are boxers or briefs okay?

LOL Obviously a typo

 

[Beryllos]

Typo? I can’t figure out what you meant to type. Tongs? I thought you meant thong-style sandals.

 

[phil19034]

Typo? I can’t figure out what you meant to type. Tongs? I thought you meant thong-style sandals.

I was referring to tongs. In some dioceses (or at least parishes) EMHCs are using tongs. Our Archdiocese emphasized that these are NOT allowed.

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