Holy Trinity RC Church  

GUIDELINES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF LITURGIES IN OUR CHURCHES

The State of New York, following recommendations from the CDC, lower rates of infection and higher numbers of people being vaccinated against COVID-19, has relaxed many of the restrictions which were in place. Because of that, with the pastoral care of the people of Brooklyn and Queens in mind, Bishop DiMarzio is issuing the following guidelines.

1. Our churches may open to full 100% capacity. There is no longer any need to rope off a pew between the occupied rows. Social distancing is still required for those who are not vaccinated. Unvaccinated parishioners should distance themselves from others who are not members of the same household.

2. Hand hygiene is still required and  disinfectant use should be encouraged. Additionally, it is wise to provide disinfectant at the entrances of the church.

3. Masks are strongly recommended because not everyone in church will have been vaccinated.

4. Hymnals and missalettes can once again be used.

5. Lectors may begin reading from the main ambo or pulpit in church.

6. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may resume their ministry, using correct hand hygiene before and after Holy Communion.

7. Offertory collections may resume with offertory baskets as usual.

8. The Offertory Procession with the gifts of bread and wine can begin again.

9. Choirs with vaccinated members can resume normal choir activities. Those not vaccinated should maintain social distance.

10. Altar Servers may resume their ministry, observing necessary hygiene procedures.

11. Holy Communion is still to be given under the form of Bread only. There are no shared Communion cups. Receiving in the hand is still the recommended practice.

We are relying on the honesty of people regarding their vaccination status. 

The obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sunday is a sacred one and must be taken seriously. The dispensation from this obligation which has been in effect since the start of the pandemic will be lifted as of the weekend of June 5-6, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord (Corpus
Christi). Although the dispensation will be lifted, those who are ill, or feeling unwell, those who care for the sick and those truly at risk are automatically dispensed from the obligation, as is always the case.

Live-streaming of the Masses should continue. The service provided by the live-streams has proved to be a blessing for many people and this should continue. It provides a way for people, especially those
confined to their homes, a way to feel united to their parish community.  Our LIVE STREAMS will continue via our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/HolyTrinityWhitestoneNY/

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic we are asking all who wish to visit the recory to please call to make an appointment so that we may stagger visitors to insure social distance adherence!

Please Call: 718-746-7730

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION!

Attention all current MVP/VIP members and those interested in becoming new members:

We are updating our roster for our youth ministry, the MVPs and VIPs, and we want to ensure we have accurate contact information for our members (and at least one parent/guardian) to effectively communicate upcoming events/virtual meetings. Please send an E-mail to mvpvipholytrinity@gmail.com or text Marilu at 917-478-9625 with the member's full name, a phone number, and a parent's full name and phone number. Please send a message even if you are an existing member or have a child currently in the program.  If you are not currently part of the program, please indicate that when reaching out. 

As always, we thank you for your generosity in serving the parish and community in our youth ministry.

-Tom and Marilu