Due to constantly changing regulations during this challenging time, diocesan guidelines are updated regularly. The following have been developed after careful consultation with various parties, including certain decrees from the Vatican, as well as input from health and governmental directives and guidelines.
February 10th, 2022
In keeping with the expiration of the mask mandate in most public places in New York State, the Diocese of Albany will no longer mandate that masks be worn in diocesan churches and offices, effective February 10, 2022. Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion are strongly encouraged to continue to wear a mask during the distribution of Communion. Keep in mind that, in the event a city or county imposes a mask mandate, parishes are expected to act in accordance with applicable local law or regulation. The Diocese of Albany will continue to follow the mask requirements for schools. Although not mandated, the faithful are more than welcome to wear masks out of concern for the health and safety of others. Parishes may continue to impose stricter requirements as they see fit.
December 13th, 2021
Please refer to the attached correspondence regarding the newly instated mask mandate in New York State.
September 24th, 2021
Religious Exemption Vaccination
Please refer to the attached correspondence for guidance regarding those seeking a religious exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine.
September 3rd, 2021
As noted in the memo from the Chancellor’s Office (dated 5th August 2021), please do monitor the situation in your parish(es). It may be necessary to reintroduce precautions or directives locally, if parish leaders along with the parish pandemic safety team judge this to be necessary. Please also note the helpful guidance issued by the Office of Lay Ministry and Lay Formation for Faith Formation Programs (issued on 12th August 2021). Finally, you should be ready to initiate COVID-19 safety measures in accordance with your airborne infectious disease exposure prevention plan, (adopted pursuant to the NY State HERO Act, as outlined in the August 3, 2021 memo from the Chancellor’s office), in the event of a declaration of emergency from the NY State Department of Health.
June 17, 2021
As a follow-up to the guidelines issued on Tuesday, June 15, this particular update contains adjusted guidance for houses of worship, with particular attention to the sections on Masks and Physical or Social Distancing.
Additional questions, inquires, or clarification, please contact the Offices of Vicars General or Prayer and Worship.
June 17, 2021
Today's Covid- 19 update includes the following information and related attachments:
Above please find the latest diocesan liturgical guidance in accordance with New York State guidelines. You can expect to received additional updates as the guidelines evolve or change. In light of today’s developments, please anticipate an update regarding masks and vaccinated persons in the coming days. Further inquiries may be direct to the Offices of the Vicars General or Prayer and Worship.
May 17, 2021
Please refer to the below Pastoral Letter from the Most Rev. Edward B. Scharfenberger entitled A Return to Mass:
March 25, 2021
Today's COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachments:
As we journey toward Holy Week, please find updated Liturgical Guidelines. Additional questions concerning the guidance may be directed to the Vicars General or Office of Prayer Worship.
February 22, 2021
Today's COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachments:
The purpose of the above document is to provide guidelines and information that expand previous guidelines and especially pertain to Holy Week, the Sacred Triduum, and Easter. Additional questions concerning the guidance may be directed to the Vicars General or Office of Prayer Worship.
February 2, 2021
Today's COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachments:
The purpose of the above document is to provide a brief liturgical update in part to respond to various questions and ideas that have been sent in over the last few weeks. Additional questions concerning the guidance may be directed to the Vicars General or Office of Prayer Worship.
January 12, 2021
Today's COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
The purpose of the attached document is to provide parameters, guidelines, and suggestions to assist parish leaders and parish communities in planning for upcoming feast days and holidays.
November 24, 2020
Today's COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
The purpose of the attached document is to provide parameters, guidelines, and suggestions to assist parish leaders and parish communities in planning for Advent and Christmas liturgies during these difficult times of the ongoing pandemic.
October 13, 2020
Today’s COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
The purpose of the attached document is to provide both parameters, guidelines, and suggestions to assist parish leaders and parish communities in planning for Christmas liturgies during these difficult times of the ongoing pandemic.
As you know, we are dealing with a constantly evolving situation in terms of the infection rate, governmental regulations, and medical advice, therefore this guidance is subject to change at any time. Furthermore, as with the celebration of Holy Week and the Triduum, the Holy See may also issue new liturgical advice or laws.
September 28, 2020
Today’s COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
This document seeks to update some of the provisions for the public celebration of the Mass and other sacraments.
July 17, 2020
Today’s COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
In addition, there are two items that are worth restating based on inquiries from several parish leaders:
- Contact Tracing for people attending Mass – New York State does not require contact tracing for people attending Mass. The same is true for the Diocese. Having said that, the Diocese expects that the parish leader with the help of their COVID team will assess if there is a greater need for contact tracing. An example of this might be a parish in a vacation area or in any area where there are a significant number of worshippers that are not part of the regular parish community. Therefore the decision about contact tracing at Mass is left to the leadership team at the parish to assess and take action.
- Singing at Mass- As stated in the guidelines from May 21, 2020: “A music ministry is possible for liturgies, using a minimum number of musicians (cantor, organist, etc.) social distancing must be maintained. For this reason, a choir is NOT permitted at this stage. The FDLC document provides some helpful suggestions concerning music ministry (cf. https://FDLC.org/COVID)”
Please note that this guideline does not address parishioners singing. Also, there is the possibility that a parish leader and team may take a more strict process if in their assessment that is best for their parish (i.e. instrumental music only or no chanting by the celebrant, etc.).
June 29, 2020
Today’s COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
June 9, 2020
A Return to Public Mass
Bishop Scharfenberger offers words of encouragement as parishioners prepare to return to their local parishes in the coming weeks
June 6, 2020
PARISHES IN ALBANY DIOCESE MAY RESUME PUBLIC MASSES AT 25 PERCENT CAPACITY BEGINNING JUNE 6, IF THEY MEET SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR COVID-19
In light of Governor Cuomo’s announcement June 6 that houses of worship may resume public gatherings at 25 percent capacity beginning immediately, Bishop Edward B. Scharfenberger has announced that any parishes in the Diocese of Albany that are able to offer public liturgies while maintaining safety protocols related to COVID-19 may do so at any time.
The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass remains in place, so those who are vulnerable or even simply uncomfortable attending a public liturgy are encouraged to remain at home and view Mass via livestreams, which will continue in local parishes. (For livestream information, visit rcda.org/livemass)
“On this weekend, as we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity and look forward to next weekend’s celebration of Corpus Christi, we are ever more aware of and grateful for the great gift of the Eucharist. We know our people are hungering to return to their churches and to the sacraments, and their priests and parish leaders are hungering to offer this spiritual food to their people,” said Bishop Scharfenberger, who has kept churches open throughout the pandemic so local Catholics could pray privately. “I am happy to announce that any churches that can do so safely may resume the celebration of the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith.”
Parishes throughout the Diocese have been working on plans to ensure they can meet safety standards that will keep the six-foot social distancing requirement in place throughout Mass.
In addition, many other protocols must be met in order for parishes to open. (Please review posts below to view detailed parish guidelines and protocols.) The Diocese of Albany has enlisted the help of health professionals in creating its guidelines and has shared them with local authorities in its 14 counties.
Local Catholics are urged to check with their parishes before planning to attend a Mass, as every parish has unique procedures and protocols and will have different ways of offering public Mass, reserving seats, logging visits, etc. In addition, because many priests serving in parishes throughout the Diocese are themselves vulnerable, they may choose to (and are encouraged to) opt out of serving if they have concerns about their health and safety. In those cases, a local parish may join with another local parish for public liturgies.
Parishioners should bring/wear their own masks and, if possible, a bottle of hand sanitizer for use upon entering, before receiving Communion, after receiving Communion, and after exiting the church. Catholics should plan on restricted seating, a change in the reception of Communion in order to ensure social distancing, exit strategies to ensure social distancing, etc. Visit rcda.org/coronavirus and follow diocesan social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates on the return to public Masses and other COVID-related information.
May 23, 2020
Today’s COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachment:
Be advised this document is a preparatory aid for those who are considering Parking Lot Masses as a future option for their parish. This document in no way grants permission to offer such public liturgies at this time. Such permission will be granted sometime in the near future.
May 21, 2020
Reopening Plans
Relevant to the Governor’s latest announcement, today’s COVID-19 update includes the following information and related attachments:
- Newly approved Guidelines for the Gradual Reintroduction of Public Liturgies and Worship, Initial Stage
- Specific Instructions for the Immediate Celebration of Funerals, Weddings, and Baptisms Only
- General Checklist for the Reopening of Church for Public Liturgies (Addendum C)
- Updates and Reminders during COVID-19 Pandemic
Moreover, and per New York State mandate, keep in mind public liturgies in churches are, at present, limited to 10 persons only.
Read previously released Timely Instructions
April 2, 2020
Downloads Include:
March 31, 2020
Diocesan Guidelines Related to COVID-19 Prevention
Due to constantly changing regulations during this challenging time, these guidelines are updated regularly. (Latest update made on 3-31-2020, 12 p.m.)
Please understand that the following have been developed after careful consultation with various parties, including certain decrees from the Vatican, as well as input from health and governmental directives and guidelines.
Public Masses and Gatherings
As of March 22, 2020, at 8 p.m., in accordance with the governor’s executive order, the Diocese announced that all public liturgies are canceled until further notice. This includes baptisms, funerals, and weddings. Emergency sacraments are permitted; parishioners should contact their pastor in the case of a baptism or anointing needed in an urgent situation.
Parishes are permitted to livestream Masses in order to provide spiritual support to the faithful. During livestreamed liturgies, the doors to the church will be locked to prevent people from gathering. In addition, a minimal number of ministers should be involved in the liturgy: priest-celebrant, lector, cantor, organist, server and camera operator. Social distancing requirements must be maintained at all times. For a list of parishes providing livestream Masses, visit rcda.org/livemass.
Churches
Churches may remain open, but must follow public restrictions currently in place (i.e. social distancing, not becoming a place of gathering, no congregate services, regular and often localized sanitizing of space, etc.). This allows individuals access for prayer.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Regularly scheduled parish reconciliation times are prohibited. The faithful may call a priest and arrange to meet for individual reconciliation as long as various guidelines are followed (social distancing, sanitizing, hygiene, etc.)
Anointing of the Sick
Anointing of the Sick may be permitted in dire circumstances and when a proper request is submitted. Where an anointing is given to a person in isolation (in a hospital, for example) all physical contact precautions should be taken and governmental/medical regulations followed.
Funerals
As funeral homes are exempt, funeral services with a minister may be provided at the funeral home and/or graveside, as long as they abide by restrictions placed by civil authorities.
Holy Week and Easter
- The Celebration of the Chrism Mass is postponed to a later date yet to be determined.
- Palm Sunday Masses are to be celebrated by the priest alone without the faithful in attendance. (Or celebrated according to livestream guidelines.) There will be no blessing of, or distribution of, palms in any parishes.
- The liturgies of the Sacred Triduum will be livestreamed from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, with Bishop Scharfenberger presiding. The livestream will be available on the diocesan website: www.rcda.org/livestream and on the diocesan Facebook page. The schedule of liturgies is as follows:
Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m.
Palm Sunday Mass, Bishop presiding
Holy Thursday, April 9, 5:30 p.m.
Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Bishop presiding
Good Friday, April 10, 5:30 p.m.
Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Death, Bishop presiding
Holy Saturday, April 11, 8 p.m.
Solemn Vigil of Easter, Bishop presiding
Easter Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m.
Easter Mass, Father David R. LeFort, rector of the cathedral, presiding
March 31, 2020
Downloads Include:
March 30, 2020
Downloads Include:
- Timely and Important Announcement concerning the Sacred Triduum
- Liturgical Directives concerning the Sacred Triduum - Please note these directives follow the decrees issued by the Holy Father and the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments dated 3/19/20 and 3/25/20
March 26, 2020
Downloads Include:
- *REVISED* Timely Instructions regarding Palm Sunday Liturgy which supersedes yesterday’s directive and all other previous guidance
March 24, 2020
Downloads Include:
March 23, 2020
Downloads Include:
- Timely Instructions regarding the Sacred Liturgies, Anointing of the Sick, Eucharist, and Reconciliation
- Guidance concerning the Eucharistic Precept or “Easter Duty”
March 21, 2020
Downloads Include:
- Timely Instructions relative to Governor Cuomo’s Executive Order of 3/20/2020
- Guidelines relative to Confession and General Absolution