Updated COVID-19 Protocols for Church Activities as of March 11, 2022
As COVID-19 restrictions are being repealed in counties and in the State of Hawaii, the Diocese of Honolulu COVID-19 Task Force with the approval of Bishop Larry Silva, is providing further guidelines on parish activities.
Updated COVID-19 Protocols for Church Activities as of December 2, 2021
Please see the attached updated parish activities protocols to be used for liturgy, parish ministries, parish business or operational meetings and other social gatherings. Please note that this does not affect or change protocols for parochial schools.
These protocols are in response to Governor Ige lifting specific COVID-19 restrictions and returning authority to each county to make their own emergency orders. These protocols took effect December 2, 2021.
Your patience and cooperation is appreciated as we apply thoughtful planning and communicate with you in implementing these changes.
These protocols are in response to Governor Ige lifting specific COVID-19 restrictions and returning authority to each county to make their own emergency orders. These protocols took effect December 2, 2021.
Your patience and cooperation is appreciated as we apply thoughtful planning and communicate with you in implementing these changes.
November 10, 2021 Memorandum to Clergy, Parishes and Catholic Faithful
The following are the updated liturgical directives and reminders that impact all Catholic churches, chapels, oratories, centers, and missions in the Diocese of Honolulu during the time of pandemic effective the First Sunday of Advent, November 28, 2021.
Singing at Mass: Singing by both a choir and congregation is now allowed. Masks must be worn as a mitigation effort. Other mitigation measures (e.g., increased physical distancing and improved ventilation) should be considered and implemented.
Hymnals and Other Printed Materials: All hymnals and missalettes may be returned to the pews and used. Pastors may choose to continue printing Worship Aids and/or project Music texts while following copyright/licensing guidelines. Printed bulletins and other materials may be handed out.
Collection Baskets: Collection baskets should not be passed from person to person, but people may place their offering in a basket in front of the altar or in a locked box as they enter the church. As an alternative, ushers may use collection baskets with handles or may pass through the aisles while holding the baskets.
Singing at Mass: Singing by both a choir and congregation is now allowed. Masks must be worn as a mitigation effort. Other mitigation measures (e.g., increased physical distancing and improved ventilation) should be considered and implemented.
Hymnals and Other Printed Materials: All hymnals and missalettes may be returned to the pews and used. Pastors may choose to continue printing Worship Aids and/or project Music texts while following copyright/licensing guidelines. Printed bulletins and other materials may be handed out.
Collection Baskets: Collection baskets should not be passed from person to person, but people may place their offering in a basket in front of the altar or in a locked box as they enter the church. As an alternative, ushers may use collection baskets with handles or may pass through the aisles while holding the baskets.
August 13, 2021 Memorandum to Pastors and Parishioners
Dear clergy and parishioners,
Governor Ige’s August 10, 2021 Executive Order 21-05 did not change any restrictions for spiritual services of the Catholic Church. Please remain true to your 6’ distancing, indoor mask mandates and all mitigation efforts.
However, the reinstatement of lower limits for indoor and outdoor social gatherings do apply. The limit for indoor gatherings has returned to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people.
Governor Ige’s August 10, 2021 Executive Order 21-05 did not change any restrictions for spiritual services of the Catholic Church. Please remain true to your 6’ distancing, indoor mask mandates and all mitigation efforts.
However, the reinstatement of lower limits for indoor and outdoor social gatherings do apply. The limit for indoor gatherings has returned to 10 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 people.
July 25, 2021 Memorandum to Pastors
Bishop Larry Silva has made the following change to the Diocesan Guidelines for COVID-19 effective immediately:
Funerals in churches are allowed with the body of the deceased present if the mortuary is permitted to transport the body. The Funeral Mass or Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass may be at full capacity with 6’ social distancing and the indoor mask mandate enforced.
It should be noted that if the body is not permitted to be taken to the church, the Funeral Mass may still be celebrated without the presence of the body, and the rites of blessing the body and Commendation and Farewell can take place as a part of the Committal service. This should be at the discretion of the family of the deceased.
As a reminder, our Catholic funeral rites are intended to bring consolation to those who are grieving, affirm our faith in Jesus Christ and his victory over sin and death, and express our Christian hope in eternal life. The three principal rites together- Vigil, Funeral Liturgy, and Committal- form an integrated sequence of rites. Pastors should ensure the Church’s pastoral care for the bereaved.
Funerals in churches are allowed with the body of the deceased present if the mortuary is permitted to transport the body. The Funeral Mass or Funeral Liturgy outside of Mass may be at full capacity with 6’ social distancing and the indoor mask mandate enforced.
It should be noted that if the body is not permitted to be taken to the church, the Funeral Mass may still be celebrated without the presence of the body, and the rites of blessing the body and Commendation and Farewell can take place as a part of the Committal service. This should be at the discretion of the family of the deceased.
As a reminder, our Catholic funeral rites are intended to bring consolation to those who are grieving, affirm our faith in Jesus Christ and his victory over sin and death, and express our Christian hope in eternal life. The three principal rites together- Vigil, Funeral Liturgy, and Committal- form an integrated sequence of rites. Pastors should ensure the Church’s pastoral care for the bereaved.
July 16, 2021 Memorandum to Pastors and Parishioners
The Diocesan Covid-19 Response Team and Task Force members are listed below. Please read the memorandum dated July 16, 2021 for the latest on diocesan protocols related to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Response Team and Task Force
Dcn. Keith Cabiles, Chancellor
Lisa Gomes, Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Fr. Alfred Guerrero, Office of Worship
Jayne Mondoy, Office of Faith Formation
Dara Perreira, Human Resources
COVID-19 Response Team and Task Force
Dcn. Keith Cabiles, Chancellor
Lisa Gomes, Youth and Young Adult Ministries
Fr. Alfred Guerrero, Office of Worship
Jayne Mondoy, Office of Faith Formation
Dara Perreira, Human Resources
Kupuna can call 2-1-1 to register for COVID-19 Vaccinations
A new service is making it easier for Oahu kūpuna who are not comfortable with the online registration process for their COVID-19 vaccinations. Trained specialists available seven days a week are providing personalized assistance to help those age 65 and above navigate the registration process, secure appointments and also help eligible individuals arrange for transportation to a vaccination provider.
The call center — a collaboration among the Executive Office on Aging, an attached agency of the Hawai‘i Department of Health; the City and County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division; Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1; and St. Francis Healthcare System — emerged as a collective solution to coordinate vaccines for kūpuna who have limited access to technology and face language barriers.
The call center — a collaboration among the Executive Office on Aging, an attached agency of the Hawai‘i Department of Health; the City and County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division; Aloha United Way’s 2-1-1; and St. Francis Healthcare System — emerged as a collective solution to coordinate vaccines for kūpuna who have limited access to technology and face language barriers.
March 5, 2021 Memorandum to Pastors and Parishioners
As we continue on our Lenten journey, we look forward to the joyful celebration of the Paschal Mystery, the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest event in the history of the world. We have been living in this strange time of the pandemic, and now with decreasing numbers of cases, increasing accessibility to vaccines, and “herd immunity” on the horizon, we should be able to celebrate Easter in a more normal fashion this year. Since our Sunday encounter with the Risen Lord in the Eucharist is the source and summit of who we are as Christians, it is important that we return to our weekly celebrations.
February 1, 2021 Letter to People of God of the Diocese of Honolulu
As I said in my last communication regarding the issue of Mass attendance, I urge all who are able to attend Sunday Mass to do so. There is nothing that substitutes completely for our weekly encounter with the risen Lord Jesus in the Eucharist. Nevertheless, if you cannot attend Sunday Mass, you are strongly encouraged to do one or more of the following:
Dispensation from Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass has been extended through noon on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, Bishop Larry Silva extends the dispensation of all the people of the Diocese of Honolulu and all visitors to the Diocese of Honolulu from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass through noon on Holy Thursday, April 1, 2021. All who are able to attend Sunday Mass without putting themselves or others at serious risk of infection are encouraged to do so, but are not obliged to do so.
Live Masses continue to be offered with safety precautions in place. Face masks are required at all times in the church and social distancing of six-feet must be maintained. An online reservation system is used for planning and compliance with all ecclesiastical and government guidelines.
The church has limited seating capacity in order for all to be safely distanced. To assist us in planning, please let us know if you will be attending Mass next weekend by using the link provided. Those who do not have access to a computer or need assistance with this process are encouraged to please contact our parish office at 808-262-8317 during business hours and one of our staff members will be able to help.
The church has limited seating capacity in order for all to be safely distanced. To assist us in planning, please let us know if you will be attending Mass next weekend by using the link provided. Those who do not have access to a computer or need assistance with this process are encouraged to please contact our parish office at 808-262-8317 during business hours and one of our staff members will be able to help.
February 25, 2021: City and County of Honolulu implements Tier 3
This list represents how the city order relates to spiritual services and church operations for the Diocese of Honolulu on Oahu.
December 6, 2020 Letter to All Parishioners from Bishop Larry Silva
Why does the Church put such great importance on our celebration of Sunday Mass that it is a serious obligation for all Catholics to attend every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation? It is because the Eucharist is our unique physical encounter with our Lord Jesus Christ, who longs to be one with us and to strengthen us for our mission of living in his love and sharing his Good News with others.
Do you have questions and/or concerns about the morality of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Please refer to the article by the Public Affairs Office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Hawaii Catholic Herald also published this article on December 9, 2020.
COVID-19 presentation by Dr. Neal Palafox for St. John Vianney Parish; Current Events in Hawai'i and New Science
In an effort to keep our parish community briefed on current events and new science developments related to the pandemic, we share this informational presentation with you. We hope you find this information helpful and useful as we continue to find ways for our parish and school communities to maintain our health and an active faith life. Our SJV parish family is blessed to have the medical expertise of Dr. Neal Palafox, a parishioner and school parent, available to us as a member of SJV's COVID Response Team. Assisting to prepare this community briefing is another SJV parishioner, Marianne Garcia, a University of Hawaii Pre-Med student who has an avid interest in COVID-19 and who helped to edit the content of some of the presentation.
The SJV COVID Response Team includes Fr. Peter Miti, Dcn. Jerry Tokars, Gail Browne, Robert Mondoy, Dr. Neal Palafox, Paul Chinen, Byron Hansen, Ellen Huntley, Estrella Seese, and Kamalani Rodrigues.
The SJV COVID Response Team includes Fr. Peter Miti, Dcn. Jerry Tokars, Gail Browne, Robert Mondoy, Dr. Neal Palafox, Paul Chinen, Byron Hansen, Ellen Huntley, Estrella Seese, and Kamalani Rodrigues.
September 23, 2020 Update on COVID-19 Protocols
The City and County of Honolulu presented new protocols for Tier 1 implementation in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the memorandum from the Diocese of Honolulu's Office of Worship for the latest updated directives and reminders that impact all Catholic churches, chapels, oratories, centers, and missions in the diocese of Honolulu, including all islands.
Let us return to the Eucharist with joy!
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued a circular letter to the Presidents of the world’s Conferences of Bishops regarding the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy during and after the conclusion of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It was dated August 15, 2020 and publicly released on September 12.