Dear People of Saint Anne,
I am writing today with important updates on the wearing of Masks at Saint Anne.
Beginning Thursday, February 10, Archdiocesan churches and chapels in Lake and Suburban Cook Counties have moved to mask-optional for all Masses, Liturgies and Religious Education classes. This mirrors the guidance provided to Archdiocesan schools, as well. Priests and ministers who handle or are in proximity to the hosts and Eucharist will continue to wear masks when serving. This includes our Mass Coordinators, Eucharistic Ministers and Ushers.
- Everyone is encouraged to vaccinate, boost when eligible, and wear masks, if preferred. N95 masks are highly effective at preventing transmission of COVID regardless of whether the wearer is around masked or unmasked individuals. At Saint Anne, we support everyone in whichever decision you make regarding the regular use of masks.
- Our isolation and quarantine protocols are not changing. As such, even in a mask-optional environment, anyone – regardless of vaccination status – must isolate if they are symptomatic or test positive. Unvaccinated close contacts must quarantine. In addition, those people coming out of isolation or quarantine must wear a mask for an additional five days per CDC guidance.
Parish Offices and those present for meetings in the Parish Center, must wait until the governor’s current statewide mask order is lifted on February 28 before moving to a mask-optional environment.
It is important that we respect each other’s preference regarding this subject. Let us all remember that there are members of our community that may need to mask or feel safer wearing masks in a public setting. Please continue to wear masks if that is your preference. We are a community that remains faithful to supporting one another. Although it has been a difficult two years, Saint Anne has cooperated and been patient as new rules and regulations changed during that time. I am proud of us as a community for our steadfast support of those around us.
Peace,
Fr. Bernie Pietrzak
Pastor, Saint Anne Catholic Community