Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Step One of the Reopening Strategy

Premier Doug Ford announced yesterday that Step One of the Reopening Strategy begins at 12:01 am on Friday, June 11th, 2021 - the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As of Friday - these provisions will apply as follows:

The capacity for indoor religious services, rites, and ceremonies including weddings is limited to 15% capacity of the church.
Outdoors religious services, rites, and ceremonies including weddings are permitted with capacity limited to permit physical distancing of 2 metres.
Drive-In religious services continue in accordance with the legislation.
Parish halls remain closed during Step One.
Funeral services and visitations (regulated by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario) have new restrictions starting on Friday, June 11th:

Indoors – Maximum of 15 percent capacity of a particular room to a maximum of 50 attendees in the entire facility

Outdoors – Two metres physical distancing to a maximum of 50 attendees

The health precautions pertaining to the wearing of face masks, physical distancing and handwashing/cleaning, etc. remain in effect.

Let us continue to keep each other in prayer.

THREE STEP REOPENING PLAN FOR THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

The steps for the plan are listed below. The timelines are approximate, but the government has announced that each step will last for at least 21 days unless the metric listed below is achieved earlier.

ONTARIO GOVERNMENT

THREE STEP REOPENING PLAN

(Announced May 20, 2021)

Before Step 1

May 20 to

June 14, 2021

Step 1

~ June 14 and next 21 days

Step 2

~ Next 21 days

Step 3

~ Next 21 days

Metric

60 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose.

Metric

70 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 20 per cent vaccinated with two

doses.

Metric

70 to 80 per cent of adults vaccinated with one dose and 25 per cent vaccinated with two doses.

Places of Worship -

Weddings, funerals and religious services, rites and ceremonies

(Does not apply to receptions)

Max. 10 persons indoors

Max 10 people permitted outdoors

Places of Worship -

Weddings, funerals and religious services, rites and ceremonies

(Does not apply to receptions)

Max. 10 indoors

Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing

Places of Worship -

Weddings, funerals and religious services, rites and ceremonies

(Does not apply to receptions)

Indoor permitted at 15% capacity

Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing

Places of Worship -

Weddings, funerals and religious services, rites and ceremonies

(Does not apply to receptions)

Larger indoor services, rites, and ceremonies

Outdoor permitted with capacity limited to permit 2m physical distancing

Churches have been diligent in their care and the exercise of health precaution measures. The Three Step Reopening Plan is disappointing for churches. It was hoped that at Step 1, churches would progress beyond the cap of 10 persons. To that end, there will be further dialogue with the locals MPPs and the provincial government. Information will be shared with the clergy and faithful as it becomes available.

In the meantime, the Churches and Missions will continue to limit the attendance to 10 people (including the celebrant and liturgical ministers.)

Let us continue to pray for all of those impacted by the pandemic and to hold each other in our prayers.

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