Churches are the safest places

October 5, 2020
Father John Kleinwachter
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Roseau, Minnesota

In the state of Minnesota the bishops pushed the governor by coming up with a plan that they worked out and presented to the governor. Some adjustments were worked out with him such as no singing except by soloists, etc. It was accepted in May and we cordoned off our churches to keep social distancing of six feet, sanitized our buildings, and asked people to wear masks and much more.

We have not had any cases of COVID coming from our churches. Churches are the safest places. People have been given the dispensation from the bishops to not attend Mass on the weekends. We have been doing this since the end of May. At first we cordoned off the pews at every third pew. Now, almost all are at every other pew. Since COVID is spread via respiration, I push for all parishioners to wear their mask coming and going to church when they will be in close contact, but if some people feel the need to take off their mask during Mass when they are all distanced apart I do not get upset. All wear their mask when coming to Communion. If people were uncomfortable about coming on the weekend we encouraged them to come to a weekday Mass where there is always much room.

Many are still remaining away, but soon we will be ending the dispensation for Sunday Mass and asking people to come to Mass every week – if not on Sunday, then on a weekday – all with exceptions for those with fragile health and those caring for them. I cannot believe that we are now in September and you still do not have your churches open. It is probably time to present a reasonable plan to the governor and just go ahead and start opening the churches. The bishops of California need to come together and speak with one voice and not give in to this block of church attendance.
 

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