November 2020 Praenotanda

Simultaneously, we continue to be challenged by the ongoing pandemic and the toll it has taken upon our families and our parish communities. In the recent meeting between the Catholic bishops of Ohio and Governor DeWine, the governor was very grateful for our doing everything possible in our parishes to operate in the interest of the common good. He observed that our current procedures have limited the health risk of attending Mass. I offer my thanks to each of you who play such an important leadership role in ensuring reverent yet safe liturgical and sacramental celebrations for the people of God.

This month’s Praenotanda is full of the “notes that come before” about upcoming liturgical celebrations including “A Pandemic Christmas”, the 2nd annual Sunday of the Word of God, and more.

As always, if there’s anything that Matt, Monica, or myself can do to assist you in your worship and sacramental ministries, please let us know.

One of the most stressful periods for any church musician is Christmas. This year’s Christmas Masses will no doubt look different than those you’ve planned in the past. Your parishes might be adding additional Masses to deal with anticipated crowds, but yet you have to scale back the number of singers and other musicians due to a whole host of factors (space limitations for safe distancing, a musician’s unwillingness to participate in group activities). Please, give yourself permission to do things differently this year. It’s okay to not have a full choir or ensemble due to the COVID restrictions in place. Yes, people might express disappointment in a scaled back music presentation, but you can certainly empathize with them yourself.

Again, give yourself permission to do things differently this year. First and foremost, pray. Spend quiet time in prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Second, find time to practice alone in an empty church. And finally, make certain to spend time with your family and loved ones.

Q. What considerations are there for the Sacrament of Penance during a time of public health concern? Can we still have Advent Communal Penance Services?

A. The essential features of the guidance already given about worship during a time of public health concern – namely the wearing of masks and social distancing – are most essential in celebrating the Sacrament of Penance as well. By now, most of us have figured out how to celebrate individual confessions safely yet reverently. Archbishop Schnurr has given clear guidance about the very limited circumstances in which general absolution may be given. Advent is a season in which many parishes celebrate a communal penance service, the second form given in the Rite of Penance. Celebrating in this way, while laudable, is not required and may prove too problematic during this time. If you regularly celebrate a communal penance service, you likely have already figured out how to space stations for confessors with maximum distance throughout the church. Do your best to ensure that as people wait in line, appropriate social distancing is possible. Encourage people NOT to line up in lengthy queues by assuring them that confessors will not get up and leave until everyone who wishes has had an opportunity to confess. In the end, you may find that simply expanding the hours available for individual confessions this Advent may replace the need for the communal service.