NEW COVID-19 GUIDELINES

In light of new CDC recommendations and executive orders from Governor Carney, Bishop Francis Malooly has issued new COVID-19 guidelines for all parishes in the Diocese of Wilmington. The following changes will start to take place at St. Thomas beginning on Pentecost Weekend.

  • The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass issued on March 12, 2020 remains in place for the Diocese of Wilmington.
  • Parishioners are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, to obtain a COVID-19 vaccinatinon.
  • Those who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to the virus within 10 days are not permitted to enter the church. Anyone who does not feel well should not come to church

MASK GUIDANCE

If you are fully vaccinated, you do not have to wear a mask in church.

If you are not fully vaccinated, we ask that you continue to wear a mask while in church.

Fully vaccinated means:

  • 2 weeks after the second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine.

SOCIAL DISTANCING

While there are no longer any restrictions regarding social distancing, we ask that you be sensitive to others and not crowd in together unless you are part of the same household.

HAND WASHING

We ask that you continue to use the provided hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the church.

GETTING BACK TO “NORMAL”

  • Pews are no longer blocked with ropes.
  • Missalettes have returned to the pews.
  • The Procession of the Gifts will resume.
  • The Sign of Peace will be reinstated without physical contact between non-family members.
  • Offertory collection will be taken up in the usual manner prior to the pandemic.
  • The distribution of the Precious Blood to the laity continues to be suspended until further notice. For those who are gluten intolerant, special arrangements are to be made with the priest prior to Mass.
  • Holy Water fonts will be filled once again. Hand sanitizer is located next to each font to be used before using the font.
  • The communion flow will return to its normal pre-COVID manner with 2 lines moving to the front of the church.