Dear Reverend Monsignor and Reverend Fathers,

I cannot stress this enough – the situation is serious.  As you know, the Premier made a somber announcement this afternoon.  Today’s provincial daily infection rate for COVID-19 is over 4800, the Variants of Concern are more transmissible and they are producing serious symptoms in young people, the supply chain for the vaccination program is sorely challenged, the Intensive Care Units are loaded beyond capacity, the healthcare system has been forced to cancel other important services, the medical needs are exceeding the number of healthcare workers in Ontario, and the pandemic restrictions are not always consistently followed. 

The Premier’s announcement impacts the churches and parish offices in these ways: 
PETERBOROUGH, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN DEANERIES – Effective Monday, April 19, 2021, priests may celebrate weekday Mass for a maximum of 10 people including the celebrant and liturgical ministers, if the pastor deems it safe and feasible.  There is to be no public celebration of the Sunday but Mass may be celebrated for the purpose of livestreaming with adherence to the capacity limit of ten (including the celebrant, technicians, and liturgical ministers).  Pastors should strive to open the churches on Sundays for private prayer.  There will only be one door opened at the church and a designated point person will monitor the number of people in the church ensuring that the cap of 10 is maintained while the church is open. 
OTHER LITURGICAL RITES: Baptisms, weddings and funerals may proceed observing the capacity limit of 10 people. 
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS:  All health precautions must be observed including the requirement to maintain contact tracing records. 
LAY STAFF MUST WORK FROM HOME. The exception to this requirement is custodial staff or cleaning staff. (Pastors are asked to communicate this to staff for Monday, April 19th, 2021.) 
STAY WITHIN YOUR REGION.  Travel outside of the jurisdiction must be curtailed unless absolutely necessary. 

Bishop Miehm