February 9, 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you may have heard from the Premier Jason Kenny and Provincial Officials yesterday, a
number of restrictions have or will be lifted in regards to COVID.
STEP ONE: Effective Feb. 8 at 11:59 pm (Google search for information on these)
Regarding entertainment venues
Regarding businesses, venues and facilities
Effective Feb. 13 at 11:59 pm
Masks will no longer be required for all children and youth in schools
Masks will no longer be required in any setting for children aged 12 and under.
STEP TWO: Effective March 1 (based on hospitalization rates continuing to trend downwards)
Any remaining provincial school requirements (including cohorting) will be removed
Screening prior to youth activities will no longer be required
Capacity limits will be lifted for all venues
Limits on social gatherings will be removed
Provincial mask mandate will be removed
Mandatory work from home will be removed.
STEP THREE: To be determined based on hospitalization rates continuing to trend downwards.
PLACES OF WORSHIP Effective February 9 th
Capacity limits on places of worship are removed
Masks remain mandatory (except for children 12 and under as of February 14)
From the Chancery Office, we ask that you
Continue providing sanitizing stations, especially at all entrances to the building
Distancing restrictions are lifted
Holy Water fonts can be used with fonts being emptied and cleaned regularly
Altar servers and acolytes are permitted to serve at the altar
Children’s liturgy restrictions for arts and crafts remain in effect until further notice
The sign of peace will continue by a show of recognition rather than a hand shake or
embrace except for persons from a same household
The ministry of Extra-ordinary minister of the Eucharist if left to the discretion of the
pastor
Communion from the chalice is still prohibited at this time
Communion on the tongue is restricted
Sanitizing of public space, processional cross and candles, lectionary and ambo after Mass
should take place, especially if more than one service is celebrated in one day. Door
handles and light switches to be sanitized as well.
Any person with symptoms of a cold or flu should refrain from being involved in the ministry of
lector, acolyte, altar server, greeter or those who participate in music ministry.
For visits to senior homes, lodges, long-term care facilities and hospital, please follow facility
directives.
Further information will be provided soon on the celebration for Ash Wednesday.
WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS Please treat these as Social Gathering Events,
not church or worship gatherings.
Information on Step 1 changes will be provided soon.
Mandatory restriction – Updated December 24 (Province of Alberta)
Indoor events
Indoor wedding ceremonies and funeral services are permitted with up to 50 people or
50% of fire code occupancy, whichever is less, unless the hosting facility implements the
Restrictions Exemption Program (REP).
Indoor wedding and funeral receptions are prohibited, unless the hosting facility
implements the REP.
o Wedding receptions that implement the REP must follow seating, liquor sale and
closure restrictions.
o Dancing is permitted, but other interactive activities are not permitted.
Outdoor events
Outdoor ceremonies, services and receptions are permitted with up to 200 people and
must follow liquor sales and consumption restrictions (sales end at 10pm, consumption by
11pm), unless the hosting facility implements the REP.
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, please, do not hesitate to be in contact with me.
Msgr Charles Lavoie PH
Vicar General, Chancellor