L
LisaB
Guest
Masks are required in this diocese but not enforced everywhere. I don’t wear one.
Last edited:
- Status
T
Thomas54
Guest
Thank you for the good luck wishes!!
I’ll leave you with this non-YouTube information from the CDC.gov website from May 2020, before the massive politicalization of the science.
Volume 26, Number 5—May 2020
Nonpharmaceutical Measures for Pandemic Influenza in Nonhealthcare Settings—Personal Protective and Environmental Measures:
Please take note of the CDC’s statement on the results of their mask study.
** Disposable medical masks (also known as surgical masks) are loose-fitting devices that were designed to be worn by medical personnel to protect accidental contamination of patient wounds, and to protect the wearer against splashes or sprays of bodily fluids ( 36 ). There is limited evidence for their effectiveness in preventing influenza virus transmission either when worn by the infected person for source control or when worn by uninfected persons to reduce exposure. Our systematic review found no significant effect of face masks on transmission of laboratory-confirmed influenza.**
God Bless,
Thomas
Last edited:
T
Thomas54
Guest
I would call it a “mini-movement.” Most of the comments made towards non-mask folks are made by older people that have nothing better to do but complain. It’s like we’re living in a retirement community.
And as someone else posted, some of these folks will go out to a restaurant and take their mask off and not think twice about it. It’s insanity on display.
Thomas
T
Thomas54
Guest
Good for you if that works!!!
Has anyone ever demanded that you put your mask on and how does your priest feel about you not wearing a mask?
Thomas
A
Anesti33
Guest
You say that masks are required in your church, but not required. You say that the Chancery office told you they “encourage” mask-wearing but they are not required. If this “mini-movement” of parishioners is really giving you so much trouble, perhaps it’s time to get the pastor on your side, and have him clarify what the guidelines actually are.
L
lattehunter
Guest
In my parish mask wearing is encouraged. No one is to be turned away. We do have seating arranged for social distancing. The Altar servers are not required to wear a mask as they are able to distance. They do however put them on when they assist the Priest during the presentation of the gifts. All those distributing communion are required by our Priest to wear a mask.
At another church that I am now attending more often masks are not required. They do socially distance. The Priests distributing communion do not wear masks.
We did at my parish have some complaints about not wearing masks. Others went to the priest to share why they cannot wear a mask. Our priest reminded the parish that if you can please wear a mask, and asked for understanding for those that cannot wear one. All are welcome. The level of fear in my parish is pretty high. The level of fear is much lower in in the one I am spending more time at now. I am also able to receive according to the norms. I have observed confrontations in my parish over the reception of the Eucharist according to the norm and was involved in helping to diffuse them.
Locally the sheriff made national news for prohibiting the deputies from wearing masks. he said there are many “experts” on each side of the issue. He wants to be sure if a deputy issues a directive that individuals can clearly hear what the deputy is saying. It’s a safety issue.
At another church that I am now attending more often masks are not required. They do socially distance. The Priests distributing communion do not wear masks.
We did at my parish have some complaints about not wearing masks. Others went to the priest to share why they cannot wear a mask. Our priest reminded the parish that if you can please wear a mask, and asked for understanding for those that cannot wear one. All are welcome. The level of fear in my parish is pretty high. The level of fear is much lower in in the one I am spending more time at now. I am also able to receive according to the norms. I have observed confrontations in my parish over the reception of the Eucharist according to the norm and was involved in helping to diffuse them.
Locally the sheriff made national news for prohibiting the deputies from wearing masks. he said there are many “experts” on each side of the issue. He wants to be sure if a deputy issues a directive that individuals can clearly hear what the deputy is saying. It’s a safety issue.
T
Thomas54
Guest
I’m pretty sure that requiring them to stay home would violate the ADA. The ADA is all about accommodation, as it should be.
Thomas
T
Thomas54
Guest
The pendulum in life always swings. Life is all about whose ox is being gored.
Thomas
T
Thomas54
Guest
That sounds wonderful!!!
I’m surprised that your priest does not wear a mask when distributing communion.
Thomas
P
PaulinVA
Guest
The ADA protects people that, due to physical or mental issues, can not participate in one or more major life activities. Now, wearing a mask is not a major life activity. It’s a public health issue.
If one has diagnosed claustrophobia, one can ask for reasonable accommodations at work to have a desk or workspace with sufficient ventilation or space or a window or whatever. In a public health crisis, an ADA accommodation is probably not to let someone spew virus all over the place, putting other people at risk. That doesn’t make sense at all.
T
Thomas54
Guest
Well, i guess that anyone has the right to be a jerk. It just doesn’t seem very Christian to display that quality in Church.
FWIW, another person was verbally assaulted several minutes after we were. It looks to me like they were on a mission.
God Bless,
Thomas
farronwolf
New member
Is is Christian to display the quality of, because I don’t want to wear a mask properly, you just have to deal with it? It is my right to do what I want.
Do you believe in protecting lives?
T
Thomas54
Guest
As I stated in an earlier post, the ADA does not apply to places of worship.
And as far as “major life activity” goes, receiving Holy Communion should be a major life activity for all Catholics.
God Bless,
Thomas
T
Thomas54
Guest
Should we believe everything that the government tells us?
I have two friends that lost elderly relatives in the last few months. One to terminal lung cancer and one to a heart attack. Both Death Certificates listed Covid as the cause of death and they are counted in the 200K Covid deaths.
Do you still believe the government?
I’d like to Thank all of those that responded to my original post. I received some good information about how other churches are handling the use of masks.
I can see that we are now getting into arguing opinions on science, civil rights and politics is next.
If the Moderator can, I think that it’s time to close this thread.
Thanks to all!!!
Thomas
farronwolf
New member
We should believe the experts in the field. I just listened to one of them and he said masks are key.
Have you seen the death certificates and how it was listed. or are you just going on hearsay.
L
lattehunter
Guest
My parish Priest, Deacon, and EMHC all wear a mask when distributing communion. During the mass they can socially distance so they do not during that time. It is important for us to be able to hear the Word. When they are not able to distance at Mass such as when receiving the gifts or in ministries outside of the Mass we (including clergy) are expected to wear a mask if we can.
At the other church I attend that priest does not wear a mask . I’ve linked the guidance from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This is not my diocese but I did appreciate the thoughtful explanation. I also appreciated that they do not suggest a preference impeding a communicants choice of how to receive Our Lord.
At my home parish I was told that some are complaining that they do not feel safe receiving because others choose to receive on the tongue according to the norm. We do not have guidance yet on how to address this yet at my parish but I’m working on it
This is not an issue at the other church I am attending for the time being. As with the masks the options available are not likely to please everyone but we do the best we can. I look forward to being at Mass with my entire parish. I miss seeing and praying with them.
http://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Mask-FAQ-6-1-20-2.pdf
At the other church I attend that priest does not wear a mask . I’ve linked the guidance from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. This is not my diocese but I did appreciate the thoughtful explanation. I also appreciated that they do not suggest a preference impeding a communicants choice of how to receive Our Lord.
At my home parish I was told that some are complaining that they do not feel safe receiving because others choose to receive on the tongue according to the norm. We do not have guidance yet on how to address this yet at my parish but I’m working on it
This is not an issue at the other church I am attending for the time being. As with the masks the options available are not likely to please everyone but we do the best we can. I look forward to being at Mass with my entire parish. I miss seeing and praying with them.http://archphila.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Mask-FAQ-6-1-20-2.pdf
P
phil19034
Guest
In the parish I typically attend, very few people wear masks (it’s recommended, but not required in our Archdiocese).
The parish pastor has requested that the first few front pews be reserved for people who have the concerns, like your former friends.
If a mask wearer wants to sit in the back, that’s fine, but if the mask wearer is afraid of all non-mask wearers, then they are to sit up front so they can receive communion first, etc.
In regards to the priest giving a homily without a mask, unless the person is wearing a N-95 mask (which most do NOT) it doesn’t protect anyone from airborne Coronavirus. Wearing a mask only prevents a person from spitting in the air while talking. The priest is very far from everyone.
BTW - not covering your nose does NOT harm anyone. Covering your nose only protect YOU from breathing in the virus, so your former friend is totally wrong. No one spits out their nose.
Last edited:
P
phil19034
Guest
These articles about masks and the nose are misleading.
Reasons:
- ONLY a N-95 mask protects us from airborne Coronavirus. Non N-95 masks only protect us from spit.
- Most of us don’t spit out our nose.
A
Anesti33
Guest
Masks prevent the expulsion of droplets when sneezing or coughing, and I can assure you that those actions make extensive use of both nose and mouth.
P
phil19034
Guest
I 100% disagree.
The correct statement would be if there was 100% N-95 or greater masks in public (indoors), then we would be safer.
I also totally disagree with mandating masks outside when social distancing.
Less than N-95 only protects others from spit. A non N-95 mask does NOT protect the wearer except from being spit in the face.
- Status