Pastor’s Note (for October 3, 2021 bulletin): We continue to experience many challenges related to the Covid-19 pandemic. I have grown deeply sympathetic to all of you brave souls who are enduring this with such love and patience for one another. I’m proud of you and in deep debt to you and your many considerations and support as we journey this together.
   To be very straightforward, I have to tell you all that I receive many suggestions advocating for a mask requirement or the exact opposite. I have been told that we have lost parishioners both because we are recommending masking and because we have not required it. At this time, I can only say that masking remains strongly preferred at St. Benedict Parish. This course of action is reasonable and justified by the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendation as we are in a high transmission area. It is also consistent with the Church’s principle that the Sacraments cannot be denied. If we are given further requirements by the State or local authorities or by the Diocese of Rochester, we will adjust this policy as directed. We, at this time, are following the language of the CDC’s advisement adding only that we are preferring masks, but not requiring them.

Edited August 20, 2021: We have not gotten any official change in guidance from our diocese, however, since Ontario County's status has been designated as a "Substantial Transmission Rate" for COVID-19 and because the CDC currently recommends universal indoor masking regardless of vaccination status, St. Benedict Parish is also recommending that those attending Mass and attending meetings on our campuses wear masks for the safety and wellness of all.

June 18, 2021 Update - COVID Restrictions: 
   Following the announcement made by the governor on Tuesday and the most recent guidance from the diocese this week, we wanted to make you aware of the following changes for Mass and for our ministries.

Changes pertaining to Masses and liturgical ministries:

• The bishop's letter indicated that "It is recommended that some 'social distancing' seating should still be offered, as needed." Following that suggestion, we have marked off a small section at the back of the front two quadrants at St. Mary's Church. This allows those parishioners and visitors that still feel more comfortable distancing from others two pews on each side of the church to do so. At St. Bridget's, part of the left side of church will still be designated as a "distancing section".
• Eucharistic Ministers at Masses are still being asked to wear masks during Communion so that all will feel comfortable coming forward for the sacrament.
• Some liturgical ministries are in the process of restarting. Now that we were given the ok, we will be looking for ushers to begin again within the next few weeks (those interested in helping should watch for Flocknote and bulletin updates) and altar servers will likely begin to serve at Masses again near the end of summer/beginning of fall.

• We are waiting for more guidance for other ministries before they can restart, particularly visitation ministry. Those interested in helping with that ministry can still reach out to Teresa at Teresa.Dunn@dor.org to indicate their interest, but we need to gather additional information from the the state, diocese, and the local facilities before we can set a start date for distributing Communion at local health care and nursing facilities.
• Ministries meeting on our campus: Ministries and groups will be permitted to meet in Dougherty Hall and St. Bridget's Church Hall, with the following provisions:
  • St. Benedict's ministries and approved outside groups must have prior approval to meet in Dougherty Hall or St. Bridget's Church Hall. Please email Amy.Corron@dor.org to inquire about reservations.
  • Through the end of the school year, the school may reserve Dougherty Hall during the school day as an extension of the school for class purposes. The use of Dougherty Hall by the school for instructional purposes takes precedence over meetings of ministries and groups.
  • Ministries meeting on our campus (Dougherty Hall and St. Bridget's Church Hall) are no longer limited to 30 participants, nor are they required to fill out the COVID certification forms or take attendance for tracing purposes. However, according to the most recent letter from the bishop, which quotes the State's guidelines: “Unvaccinated individuals continue to be responsible for wearing masks, in accordance with federal CDC guidance. Consistent with the State’s implementation of the recent CDC guidance, masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals.” We therefore ask that those individuals continue to wear a mask during the meetings.

Resources related to the flu and coronavirus

• Letter to the Faithful - June 6, 2020
• Coronavirus update for Masses with 10 people - May 21, 2020
• Readings for Mass in Time of Pandemic
• Governor Cuomo's Travel Ban, effective 3/22/2020
• Bishop Matano's Letter to the Faithful, 3/17/2020
• DOR's COVID-19 Resource webpage
• Diocese of Rochester's Memorandum: Precautions concerning COVID-19, the Coronavirus Disease, at Holy Mass and other gatherings, 3/16/2020
• Ontario County Health Facilities Protocols (for visitation and Eucharistic Ministers), UPDATED 3/13/2020
• COVID-19 Fact Sheet
• What to do if you are sick with the coronavirus
• "Dioceses take steps to prevent virus from spreading" - Catholic Courier  article