Dear Friends in Christ,

As announced last weekend at all Masses at St. Irenaeus, the Archdiocese of Detroit has updated their COVID-19 guidelines for all parishes and schools.

In following the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Archdiocese strongly encourages Mass-goers, regardless of vaccination status, to wear facecoverings (masks) and to practice social distancing. While this is not mandated, it is strongly encouraged.

If you are ill, showing any symptoms, or were in recent contact with someone who tested positive with COVID or influenza, please remain at home and do not attend Mass.

If you are attending Mass at St. Irenaeus, you are strongly encouraged to wear a mask out of love and concern for your neighbor. Individuals wearing masks may sit anywhere in Church. There will be designated areas for those not wearing masks. Additional sections of pews have also been set aside for social distancing, with every other pew being closed off. Ushers will be available to guide you and answer any questions.

The faithful are reminded that particular dispensation from the obligation to participate in Mass remain in effect for people who are ill or who find themselves in other specific circumstances, including the following:

• You are ill or your health condition would be significantly compromised if you were to contract a communicable illness (i.e., you have underlying conditions or are in a high-risk category).
• If you were in recent contact with someone who tested positive for a contagious illness such as COVID or influenza.
• You care for the sick, homebound, or infirmed.
• You are pregnant.
• Those 65 years of age or older (per the CDC’s recommendation of high-risk individuals).
• You cannot attend Mass through no fault of your own (e.g., no Mass is offered, you are infirmed, or, while wanting to go, you are prevented for some reason you cannot control (e.g., your ride did not show up, the church was at capacity).
• If you have significant fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass.

We realize it has been a long and difficult 18 months of navigating the COVID pandemic and thank you for your wonderful support and cooperation. We all look forward to putting the pandemic past us. In the meantime, let us continue to be diligent, prudent, and patient in taking care of one another in our parish family.

Thank you and God bless!