Youth Ministries During a Pandemic
Directives:
The Department of Pastoral and Educational Services offers the following to help parishes discern how best to provide programming during the COVID-19 pandemic. The directives will be reviewed as needed.
(Revised. Promulgated March 9, 2021)
PLEASE FOLLOW
(Revised. Promulgated March 9, 2021)
PLEASE FOLLOW
- Pastoral care with sensitivity must be our first and guiding principle.
- As ministers of our parishes, it is expected that our behavior reflects for others the safety of those entrusted to our care. It is irresponsible to allow behavior that goes contrary to the guidance of the CDC, State and local government agencies.
- Posting images that reflect non-compliance of guidelines provided by the CDC, State and local government agencies is strictly prohibited. (Note: yes, this means you may not post photos of people in close proximity without face-coverings.)
- Parishes are accountable for providing for the health, safety and well-being of participants. Commonly touched surfaces must be cleaned and sanitized frequently.
- Overnight activities and offsite trips (activities not on parish grounds) are prohibited until further notice.
- All gathered events for adult faith formation, youth ministry, young adult ministry, elementary catechesis, and for Christian Initiation must follow the guidelines by the CDC. Take steps to limit the size of gatherings with no more than 50% capacity for indoor events, with groups of ten or fewer of those not from the same household, and maintain social distancing.
- Develop options for the Sacraments of Initiation that reflect a variety of scheduling choices for those involved. No receptions are to be held.
- Parishes choosing to hold in person Vacation Bible School must be able to fully comply with all the CDC, State and local health protocols and the diocesan directives. It is advisable to design an alternative for home use, for persons who prefer that option, and if health advisories mandate a change of plans in your county.
- Take proper steps to minimize sharing of materials and other items. If food is offered at any event, consider individual pre-packaged options.
- Promote healthy hygiene practices. Intensify cleaning, disinfection and ventilation for all events. When activities are held, activity leaders must supply soap/ hand sanitizer and enforce mandatory mask-wearing face-coverings, providing disposal masks for those without. Post Ohio Department of Health or CDC signs where appropriate.
- Offsite activities can take place at locations that are acting in accordance with all CDC, Ohio, and local health department guidelines.
- Transportation for offsite activities should be provided by the parents/guardians as possible. Carpooling is unadvisable. Bussing should allow for social distancing (one person per seat, alternating seats, exceptions for those from the same household but with spacing around them.) Face-coverings must be worn.
- It is important to remember that Diocesan Safe Environment policies remain in effect. All employees and volunteers must be compliant, and follow regulations for gathered and virtual events.
- Advise participants not to attend any gathered event if they are exhibiting symptoms or if they have been exposed to someone with the corona virus within 14 days of the event.
- Be prepared to address any violation of State, Diocesan or Parish Policies.
HELPFUL LINKS:
Planning and Follow-Up Tools
RESOURCES Shared by the OY&YAM Previously:
Questions to consider from March 12 YM Update:
A few questions to assist with that discernment: - can those who are sick opt out without negative repercussions? - can those whose parents choose not to allow their child participate do so without negative repercussions? - will there be space for "social distancing"? - will the gathering space have been adequately cleaned? - are there adequate supplies for good hygiene (soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, etc.)? - do we need to gather for this? |
A Prayer as we face the Coronavirus Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love. Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care. Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another. Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders. Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace. Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace. Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace. Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth. Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace. Jesus Christ, heal us. Amen. (Prayer by Kerry Weber, America Magazine) We do ask that everyone be aware of and use the following guidelines that have been provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
> Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the restroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. > If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. > Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. > Avoid close contact with people who are sick. > Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. > Stay home when you are sick or not feeling well. > Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or cough or sneeze into your sleeve. And, remember as Catholics to remain calm, compassionate, and prayerful!! |
“Spiritual Communion" Prayer by St. Alphonsus Liguori : My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen. A Prayer During the Pandemic May we who are merely inconvenienced Remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors Remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home Remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making their rent. May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close Remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips Remember those that have no safe place to go. May we who are losing our margin money in the tumult of the economic market Remember those who have no margin at all. May we who settle in for a quarantine at home Remember those who have no home. As fear grips our country, let us choose love. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, Let us yet find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen. Prayer During a Pandemic Loving God, Holy One, Your desire is for our wholeness and well-being. We hold in tenderness and prayer the collective suffering of our world at this time.We grieve precious lives lost and vulnerable lives threatened. We ache for ourselves and our neighbors, standing before an uncertain future. We pray: May love, not fear, go viral. Inspire our leaders to discern and choose wisely, aligned with the common good. Help us to practice social distancing and reveal to us new and creative ways to come together in spirit and in solidarity. Call us to profound trust in your faithful presence, You, the God who does not abandon, You, the Holy One, breathing within us, breathing among us, breathing around us in our beautiful yet wounded world. - Sisters of IHM, Scranton, Pennsylvania |