COVID-19 restrictions at Idaho parishes are starting to be eased
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Blessed be Jesus Christ Risen!
Dearest Faithful,
Due to progress being made against the spread of Covid-19, Idaho State Governor Brad Little, along with the Idaho State Department of Health and Welfare, have announced that as of 11 May, Idaho is moving into Stage Four of the Idaho Rebound Guidelines. In response to this, Bishop Peter Christensen is instructing the Catholic Parishes of our Diocese “to remove COVID-19-based restrictions as we continue to move toward pre-pandemic conditions”.
What does this mean for us here in the parishes of the Wood River Valley and surrounding area? It includes the following:- Devices used to maintain six feet of distancing will be removed from all parish spaces allowing the use of all pews;
- Parishes will resume the use of missals, bulletins, and other items in pews and common areas;
- Holy water fonts will be filled with blessed water;
- Beginning on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, June 6th, the distribution of the Most Precious Blood will resume at Holy Mass;
- Also beginning on Corpus Christi the dispensation from the obligation to attend Holy Mass will be discontinued, meaning that the faithful (illness excluded) will be required to attend Holy Mass Saturday PM / Sunday;
- Blaine County, Hailey and Sun Valley are mandating the continued use of mask coverings over nose and mouth in outdoor/indoor group settings. In order to not deviate greatly from our neighbors in the valley, and to maintain good relationships, I ask you to continue wearing masks at Holy Mass for the time being.
- We are awaiting the arrival of our new pew missals. They will be ready to use in the pews once they arrive.
May the Lord Graciously bless each of you,
Fr. Justin Brady