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Do I have to go to Mass?
At this time, all Catholics in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux remain dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
You do not have to attend Mass if you are unable or feel unsafe in doing so.
You may observe the Lord’s Day by praying together as a family, by watching a Mass via livestream, or by doing some other act of devotion.
Should I go to Mass?
While Catholics do not have to attend Mass, if you are healthy and feel safe, we urge you to consider attending Mass in person.
If you are healthy and feel safe in returning we would love to see you in person.
While making a spiritual communion is acceptable, the ideal is to receive the fullness of God and the fullness of communion in person.
Ask the Lord if it's time to come back.
What should I expect?
Mass will feel a bit different for the time being.
It will likely not be the triumphant return that many of us are imagining.
Safety precautions required are not ideal; however, your health and safety remain a priority.
For Mass outdoors
Bring your own chair
Respect social distancing
Members of the same households may sit together, but there must be a six-foot distance between households at all times.
Masks are not required
For Mass indoors
Sit in designated pews
Respect social distancing
Members of the same households may sit together, but there must be a six-foot distance between households at all times.
Masks are required
Regarding Holy Communion
Considering the health risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the risks associated with its transmission, and health of those distributing Holy Communion, the lay faithful are strongly urged to receive Holy Communion in the hand.
The priest, deacon, or lay extraordinary minister, holding one edge of the consecrated host, places the outer edge of the consecrated host in the communicant’s outstretched hand. The minister then reverently releases the consecrated host, allowing the remainder of the consecrated host to reverently fall into the communicant’s outstretched hand without the hand of the minister making contact with the communicant’s outstretched hand.
Should any physical contact occur during the distribution of Holy Communion, the priest, deacon, or lay extraordinary minister, must stop and sanitize their hands immediately.
In the event that the communicant receives Holy Communion on the tongue, the priest, deacon, or lay extraordinary minister must stop and sanitize their hands immediately.
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