- Download PDF Version available for use with email and print distribution.
To: Pastors, parish communicators and parish catechetical leaders
From: Maureen Smith, Director, Office of Communications
The Archdiocese of Atlanta has made two updates to the “Come Holy Spirit” COVID-19 response guidelines the week of July 6. The full guidelines as well as Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are available here:
This week’s updates:
Regarding taking Holy Communion to the homebound: Priests, deacons and lay ministers should not take Holy Communion to homebound or those in care facilities — including the non-COVID-19-infected– at this time in order to protect both populations from potential infection.
FAQ update:
Add
Q: When faith formation and youth gatherings can resume, do parishes need to add a waiver specific to COVID-19?
A: The parishes should mirror language being used by the Office of Catholic Schools, who are including the following in their materials for the fall. Parishes can add their name into this in place of [name of school]. Parents should sign this form and the parish should keep it with the other registration materials.
Assumption of the Risk Relating to COVID-19Z
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has been declared a worldwide pandemic by the World Health Organization. COVID-19 is extremely contagious and is believed to spread mainly from person to person through respiratory droplets when an infected individual coughs, sneezes or speaks. As a result, government agencies at all levels and federal, state and local health agencies recommend social distancing and have placed limits on the congregation of groups of individuals. [Name of school] has put preventative measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19; however, the school cannot guarantee that you or your child(ren) will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending activities on the campus of [name of school] could increase your risk and that of your children for contracting COVID-19. While [name of school] will make all reasonable efforts to lower the risk of COVID-19 exposure and spread at school, the school is unable to provide any guarantee that students or their families will not be exposed to or infected by COVID-19. By enrolling your child(ren) in and attending school, you acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that you, your child(ren) and or other family members may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19. It is expected that students and other school family members will follow the preventative measures and guidelines implemented [name of school] including not coming to the school premises if demonstrating any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.