CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The Archdiocese of Chicago is reminding all Christmas church-goers that COVID protocols will be in place at all Masses this holiday weekend.
Justin Lombardo, the chair of the Archdiocese of Chicago’s COVID Task Force, said there have not been any COVID outbreaks linked to Catholic church services in the Chicago area. He believes that’s because most people have been vigilant. So a high-priority is being placed on making sure everyone masks up at Christmas Mass.
“At Christmas, a lot of people come to church that may not have been there for a while, and so we’ve asked the parishes and lay leadership to re-institute our greeters at the doors who will have extra masks and explain to people that, as a matter of safety and as a matter of charity, we ask them all to mask when they’re in the services," he said.
Lombardo said the greeters will offer gentle reminders to people.
“The thing that would not be helpful is to have public confrontation, but to urge and remind people that masking is a duty we have," he said.
He said there’ll be hand sanitizer available as people go up for Communion, as well.
Lombardo said wearing a mask is a small price to pay to be able to look to your left and right in your pew and protect people.
Of course, he pointed out, being vaccinated and boosted is the best gift you can give others this Christmas. He said Pope Francis and Cardinal Cupich have encouraged people to get vaccinated and boosted.
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