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ALL SAINTS' PARISH: updates March 2022

Posted : May-06-2021

We are pleased to share news that as of Tuesday, March 1, 2022, the church is in a position to offer 100% seating capacity with no physical distancing restrictions. Please note that masks will not be required as of March 21, 2022.

Please read the following important information:

  • The church is offering 100% seating capacity with no physical distancing restrictions, those parishioners who would like to continue practicing social distancing, the parish hall is available. All are welcome to attend in person Mass.
  • We continue to have the daily Mass Monday to Saturday at 8:15am (English).
  • Sunday Masses are Saturday at 5pm (English -Sunday Vigil), Sunday at 8am (Italian), 9:30am (English) and 11:30am (English).
  • The Church is open from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm.
  • We are live streaming the Sunday Mass at 8:00am in Italian and 9:30am in English ONLY for parishioners who due to circumstances, are unable to attend Mass in person, please contact the office to obtain the link.
  • The Sacrament of Confession is available Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 8:00 am, Saturday from 4:00 pm to 4:45pm or by appointment, please contact the office for more information or check the bulletin or our website: https://allsaintset.archtoronto.org/en/our-faith/sacraments--sacramentals/reconciliation-confession/ 
  • For Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals, No Limit of parishioners, please contact the office for information.
  • Children of the Word for Children and Liturgy of the Word for the Family: The Liturgy of the Word with the family will continue to be virtual and can be found at the following site: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLocpP1kPHudKt6mGYtkCI99AirAmWscFa

Office: The Office will continue to be open for any enquires Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:30 to 5:00 pm or by appointment.

Parish Communication: We continue to share our updates:

If we do not have your email address, please forward it to us so that we may add you to our email distribution list.  

Other Resources: There are also online resources from parishes across the Archdiocese including streamed Masses and services. Consult the list at www.archtoronto.org/covid19 for more information on these.

If anyone is in need of prayers, please contact the office.

God bless you and your family.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Fr. Andrzej Glaba, Pastor
All Saints' Roman Catholic Church
1415 Royal York Road Etobicoke, On M9P 3A7
Tel:   416-244-3066      Fax:   416-244-6195
Office Holidays, Saturday & Sunday: Closed
 Email: alsc1415@allsaintsrc.com

Updates to the Worship Safe Protocols Effective as of Tuesday, March 1, 2022:

·         All capacity limits, including physical distancing requirements, are removed from churches and parish halls. Parishes can gradually begin to remove floor markings and other signage as restrictions are lifted. Parishes may wish to continue with distancing at Holy Communion as a best practice for a period of time, removing all floor markings and distancing at the discretion of the pastor.

·         Indoor mask use is still required for those over the age of two (limited medical exemptions apply)

·         Holy Communion on the tongue can resume, but those receiving Holy Communion on the tongue should ideally be at the end of the Communion line

·         The kiss of peace is still discouraged at this time. A bow or wave should continue to be used as an alternative

·         Holy water fonts can be refilled. Prayer books, hymnals, magazines, bulletins and votive candles can return to the church, if they have not already

·         Altar servers and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion can return to pre-pandemic duties

·         Choirs and cantors still must be masked or three metres/nine feet from anyone else

·         Reporting of rapid test results for unvaccinated clergy, staff and volunteers is suspended. Proof of vaccination is not required to enter, participate, work or volunteer according to the Archdiocese of Toronto

·         Baptisms can return to pre-pandemic practices

·         Confessionals and confession rooms can reopen, provided that both parties are masked

·         Parish offices can resume operations in the manner that best suits the local conditions of that church, while respecting all normal applicable regulations, laws and archdiocesan policies

·         The use of hand sanitizer upon entry to the church and before the distribution of Holy Communion remains a best practice and is encouraged. It is still recommended that health and hygiene signage remains posted in parishes at this time

·         Meetings in parish halls may resume for those who may wish to do so – mask use is required

·         Contact tracing and online Mass registration systems are no longer required. Parishioners should be encouraged to continue self-screening for Covid-19 symptoms and stay home if they have any symptoms

 ·         Reporting all Covid cases is no longer required, but the regional bishops and Pastoral Centre staff are still available to answer Covid-related questions, help with the communication of serious incidents and arrange for visiting priests in the case of illness

·         Parishes are encouraged to review updated procedures with volunteers and others who may be assisting with the celebration of the sacraments

·         Parishes are encouraged to make an announcement at the beginning of Mass over the first several weeks of March 2022 noting the lifting of restrictions and reminders regarding updated procedures that may have changed

The Archdiocese of Toronto has followed the Government of Ontario’s Covid-19 guidance throughout the pandemic. Today, the provincial government announced the end of public masking requirements in most non-medical settings effective Monday, March 21, 2022. As such, our churches, halls and offices will also no longer require masking starting on Monday, March 21, 2022.

We anticipate that local municipalities will follow the lead of the province in removing bylaws requiring masks, but we will communicate with you should local circumstances change.

This change will be stressful for some members of our community and we ask that you continue to pastorally help those who are isolated, sick and afraid, as you have done throughout the pandemic. Some people will still want to wear masks in churches and offices, and they should not be discouraged from doing so.

During Lent, we are making a special effort to welcome all the faithful back to church and we should do everything we can to ensure people have positive experiences when they come back to our parishes.

Updates on Covid-19 Restrictions starting on Monday, March 21, 2022:

  • Indoor masking requirements end in churches, parish halls and offices starting on Monday, March 21, 2022
  • Churches can currently rent their halls, and food/drink can currently be served in halls, provided that people wear masks when standing; people should be seated to eat or drink, so they can take their masks off, as is the case in restaurants
  • Starting Monday, March 21, all Covid-19 restrictions end in our parish halls
  • Starting on Monday, March 21, restrictions on choir activities end
  • Starting on March 21, individuals aged 18 and older, who have received their Covid-19 booster shot and who are asymptomatic for Covid, do not need to self-isolate when they are in close contact with someone who tests positive for Covid-19 (including if the sick person is a member of their household). The self-isolations requirement is also lifted for those younger than 18 years old who are asymptomatic and who have had two Covid-19 vaccine doses. If you meet these criteria, for 10 days you must wear a mask in public, refrain from elective visits to medical settings and avoid physical contact with those who are vulnerable to Covid
  • Those who do not meet the above criteria and who have a Covid-19 close contact, must continue to self-isolate according to current provincial regulations
  • Pastors are in the best position to determine the return-to-work plans in their parish office, but as a guide, the Pastoral Centre staff will start their full hybrid work arrangements as of Monday, April 4
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