Our Plan to Resume Safe, Public Worship at St. Bernadette

The Archdiocese of Chicago, in consultation with public health officials and the State of Illinois, has developed a plan for reopening parishes. The plan is gradual; we will not resume normal services and celebrations overnight. As the public health situation changes, so too may our plan for reopening.

We will be forming a Reopening Leadership Team of volunteers from non-vulnerable populations to assist in our gradual reopening. The team will be made up of six people, including Fr. Benedykt. The team will undergo training the week of May 18 and then move forward to resume worship services at a pace and timing appropriate for our own situation. Our team will have the following responsibilities:

• supervise cleaning, set-up, and greeting.
• maintain and operate a plan to acquire necessary safety and cleaning supplies.
• communicate any necessary information to our parishioners (which will be done through Flocknote, robocalls, our website, and Facebook page).

Once we have done this, we can be certified to enter Phase 1 of our reopening. Phase 1 allows us to reopen for:

• Baptisms
• Weddings
• Funerals
• Confessions

All with groups of no more than 10 people.
 
The earliest the Archdiocese will begin certifying parishes to enter Phase 1 is Saturday, May 23.
 
Following a successful implementation of Phase 1, there may be additional changes that need to be made before moving to Phase 1A, based on feedback from parishioners and guidance from public health officials. Once we have implemented any changes that arise and begin Phase 1A, we will be able to open the church for:

• private prayer
• Adoration

Again, only groups of no more than 10 people will be permitted.
 
The Archdiocese will begin certifying parishes to enter Phase 1A on Saturday, May 30.

Neither Phase 1 nor Phase 1A allow for the celebration of public Masses, even those with 10 or fewer attendees. The celebration of Mass is much more complex, and will require further guidance from health officials as well as data from the implementation of Phases 1 and 1A. However, we will continue streaming all Masses online during Phases 1 and 1A. Public Masses will resume in Phase 2.
 
In order to enter Phase 2, we will need to submit an individual plan for safely celebrating Mass to the Archdiocese and public health officials. Much of the plan for safely celebrating Mass is dependent on requirements and guidelines from the state (for instance, what size crowds will be permitted?). The Archdiocese does not have an estimated date for when parishes could begin Phase 2.
 
Following our training and certification approval, at St. Bernadette, we will only enter Phase 1 once the Reopening Leadership Team and I feel confident that we have the right volunteers in place to make it possible to reopen. Again, the need for parishioner assistance cannot be overstated.

The guidelines and measures required to reopen are designed to protect our wellbeing and that of the broader community. As Cardinal Cupich has noted, from the first pages of Scripture we learn that we indeed are “our brother’s keeper.” Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed, “that they all may be one” (Jn 17:21) and commanded us “love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another” (Jn 13:34). Our collective patience, willingness to help and the care we take to reopen is a demonstration of our unity and love for one another.
 
You can read the full Executive Summary of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s plan, along with a letter from the Cardinal, at https://www.archchicago.org/coronavirus/reopening.