Coronavirus: Frequently asked questions for the Faithful

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As of June 22, 2021, the State of Michigan has lifted its broad epidemic orders. The questions and answers below have been updated in accord with the June 22nd announcement. Answers are subject to change as any additional updates are issued and we receive more information.

(en Español)

Mass has both looked and felt different since returning to public worship last spring.

Masks are not required during liturgical worship. It is recommended that individuals who are not fully vaccinated follow CDC guidance and wear a mask out of respect for fellow parishioners. Please honor the safety and comfort of those around you and distance as you are able.

The dispensation to attend Mass remains in effect for those who have health reasons or other excusing factors. Please speak with your pastor about any specific questions you may have regarding the obligation to attend Mass.

Please check with your parish for additional information. 

The general dispensation for all Catholics in the Diocese of Grand Rapids expired on Feb. 17, 2021.

A dispensation remains in place for any individual who cannot physically attend Mass or cannot attend due to other excusing factors. For these individuals, the dispensation remains in effect until further notice. It is recommended that people stay at home if they are considered vulnerable due to age (over 65) or underlying health conditions

If you are sick, please stay home.

A Catholic’s Sunday obligation may only be fulfilled by attending Mass on Saturday evening (vigil) or on Sunday. Individuals who are legitimately unable to participate in Mass during that period are dispensed from their obligation and not bound to attend on another day of the week.

Moving forward, decisions regarding parish norms for COVID-19 will be left up to the pastor and his staff. Please honor the safety and comfort of those around you and distance as you are able.

A person truly participates at Mass when he or she is physically present in a congregation celebrating the sacred action at the ambo and altar in the presence of the priest. When a church is at seating capacity, an area wholly separated from the church may be prepared so that people can follow what is going on in the church via a livestream or closed circuit TV. While such a provision affords an opportunity for people to unite themselves spiritually to the Mass being viewed, it cannot be considered an acceptable alternative for attending Mass within the church in the midst of the gathered faith community.

In accord with CDC guidance issued May 14, 2021, the Diocese of Grand Rapids revised its diocesan directives regarding masks and social distancing in its parishes. Masks are not required during liturgical worship. It is recommended that individuals who are not fully vaccinated follow CDC guidance and wear a mask out of respect for fellow parishioners.

Moving forward, decisions regarding parish norms for COVID-19 will be left up to the pastor and his staff. Please check with your parish for further guidance.

Moving forward, decisions regarding parish norms for COVID-19 will be left up to the pastor and his staff. Please check with your parish for additional information. CDC guidance indicates there is little scientific support for routine use of disinfectants in community settings, whether indoor or outdoor, to prevent COVID transmission on surfaces. In public spaces and community settings, available data and studies indicate that the risk of COVID transmission on surfaces is low—compared with risks from direct contact, droplet transmission or airborne transmission.

Watch the LIVE broadcast of Sunday Mass each week from the Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Grand Rapids at 10 a.m. ET. Available on the diocesan website, on Facebook or on TV on WXMI Fox 17. For ways to watch online or on TV, click here.

In addition, EWTN offers the live broadcast of Sunday Mass at 8 a.m. and noon, and daily Mass in Spanish: Ver Misa Diaria | Calendario

Catholics are encouraged to make an act of spiritual Communion, a great source of grace; to pray the rosary, or meditate on Sacred Scripture to keep holy the Lord’s Day. We can also seek the intercession of our Blessed Mother asking for her intercession, consolation and for an end to the pandemic. Additional spiritual resources may be found here.

Pastoral visits to the homebound or those in nursing homes are permitted provided appropriate measures are taken. Please contact your parish for additional information.

In terms of financial support, please consider giving to your parish's weekly offertory online or by placing a check in the mail to your parish office. 

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Faith formation classes for children in grades K-12, youth ministry programming for middle school and high school aged young people, adult faith formation opportunities, and the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults in the diocese all resumed in person as of March 5. Please contact your parish for additional information.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage! Weddings may be celebrated with or without a Mass. Please contact your parish for additional information.

Outdoor weddings are not permitted.

For more information about getting married in the diocese, please click here.

Baptisms are being celebrated in our churches. Please contact your parish for additional information.

Once finalized, information will be released from your parish regarding 2021 confirmations.

It is important that we mourn with families. Funerals may be celebrated with or without a Mass. Please contact your parish for additional information.

Parishes are allowed to host funeral luncheons. Please contact your parish for additional details.

Homebound individuals or those in nursing homes may receive Communion at home under the following guidelines:

  • The Eucharist is taken to the individual by a minister trained to perform the Rite for homebound individuals.
  • Pastoral ministers, both clerical and lay, should be fully vaccinated (2 weeks post final dose) to ensure the safety of members of our population who may be considered at high risk. If they are not fully vaccinated, they are required to wear a mask.

Please contact your parish for additional information.

The days of the COVID-19 pandemic and protective measures to prevent its spread have been anxious and unsettling times for us all. Visitor access to our hospitals is still limited to help prevent the spread of the virus. Please check with the admitting hospital for their current COVID-19 protocols and follow those. As permitted by hospital protocols, our priests will continue to celebrate the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.

Our priests also are available to contact patients by phone. Please reach out to your pastor or associate pastor should the need arise. For a list of priests in the diocese, click here. For a list of parishes, click here.

Parish food pantries are open and are following instructions from local and state health officials.

Over this past year, we all have had questions, many of them beginning with the word "Why?" It's especially important in this time to remember that while God does not eliminate difficulties in our lives, he walks with us and never ceases to care.

Catholics are encouraged to pray. and to continue to go outside ourselves to evangelize and to help family members and neighbors to ensure that no one feels abandoned or discouraged or goes without.

For statements from the U.S. and Michigan bishops as well as additional resources about the COVID-19 vaccines, click here.

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