STAFF REPORTER – Ottawa Citizen – Updated: March 13, 2020
The Archdiocese of Ottawa has outlined new precautions for its 110 parishes from the Second Sunday of Lent through Easter.
Disinfectants will be available at every entrance, the sign of peace is suspended or replaced with a bow and those distributing communion will disinfect their hands.
Communion from the chalice will be restricted to bishops, priests and deacons and those who cannot consume gluten.
Worshippers should bow or genuflect to the cross on Good Friday and stay home from church if they are sick.
“Please remind people that if they are unwell, they should stay home to speed their recuperation: the Sunday obligation does not bind those who are ill,” Archbishop Terrence Prendergast wrote.
Link to letter from Archbishop Prendergast: https://catholicottawa.ca/documents/2020/3/20-03-13%20Archbishop%20-%20cancellation%20of%20Sunday%20Masses%20for%20March%2014-15-1.pdf