COVID-19 Guidelines for Faith Formation and Youth Ministry Programs 
of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, 8/25/2020

COVID-19 has reshaped many plans and priorities and we have had to adapt in serving the formation of our Catholic people. Current trends indicate that these new and unique challenges are not going away anytime soon and the 2020-2021 faith formation year will be altogether different for everyone. Parish faith formation programs should plan for Option A, provided they can follow the guidance in this document. If unable to follow all the guidance at this time, please select Options B or C depending on local circumstances. Parishes utilizing Option A should also have preparations in place to quickly pivot to Options B or C as needed.

A.   Onsite/in-person faith formation activities and events including family formation at those parishes that utilize such an approach (following guidance below).
B.   Virtual/Online/Remote faith formation activities and events.
C.   Hybrid approach, combining both virtual and in person elements of faith formation. 

COVID-19 Point of Contact
Connie Wallin has been named St. Joseph the Worker and Holy Family’s Point of Contact for Faith Formation. If you have questions or concerns, please contact her at: cwallin@sjwhf.org or 507-388-3766. All information, feedback, suggestions, etc. from parents, learners and catechists is welcome.
 
Remote/Distance Learning
Accommodations will be made and parish support given if parents and caregivers decide to homeschool their children’s faith formation program this year rather than participate in onsite activities.
 
Procedure Training and Communication with Catechist
All volunteer catechists will be trained on the COVID-19 Preparedness Plan and understand their critical role in ensuring a healthy environment for faith formation.
 
Liability Waivers
The DOW-R is requiring all faith formation parents to sign the Statement of Understanding, Consent Form and Liability Waiver for Students for the 2020-2021 school year. This form will be available online with our faith formation registration forms and due before October 7.
 
Policies and Practices
All policies and practices for the 2020-2021 faith formation year should be flexible in responding to new information and developments. Should the need arise that faith formation be suspended, preference will be give to the Sacramental years (Penance/ Eucharist and Confirmation). A willingness to adapt and refine approaches when specific practices are not working will be needed.
 
At-Risk Persons
All at-risk persons and those with preexisting health conditions should consider staying home and not attending in-person faith formation activities at this time.

 COVID-19 Positive

· All COVID-19 positive persons, those who are symptomatic, and those living with them, may NOT participate in programs until after they have self-quarantined as per CDC guidelines.
· If an adult, child or youth experiences symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive following attendance at a faith formation activity, please notify Fr. Reker or Director of Faith Formation immediately.
· If faith formation children and youth attend school in a local public school district that closes an individual school or schools due to an outbreak of COVID-19, Fr. Reker, following guidance from the County Health Department, will determine whether in-person faith formation activities will be temporarily suspended. 

 
Onsite/in-person Faith Formation
Parents/guardians should take their child’s temperature either before coming to the facility or upon arrival at the facility. If your student displays any of the following symptoms: new onset cough or shortness of breath, fever (100.4 or higher), chills, muscles pain, sore throat, fatigue, congestion, loss of sense of smell or taste or gastrointestinal symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea, please stay home and talk to your health care provider about testing for COVID-19.
 
Social Distancing
A minimum of 6 feet of social distancing should be maintained during both indoor and outdoor activities. Physical contact between individuals should be avoided (i.e. handshakes, hugs).

· Entrance and Dismissal Protocols - Upon arrival, students should follow social distancing markings -   there will be six-feet markings on the sidewalks, in the hallways and in the classrooms to indicate distancing requirements. Staggered dismissal will be implemented to minimize congestion in hallways.

 
Masks
Per Minnesota Executive Order 20-81, masks are required at this time for all participants over the age of 5 years during indoor activities. .

· Masks should be worn in common spaces (halls and entries) as well as in classrooms.
· You do not need to wear a mask outside if you maintain a distance of 6 feet. Masks may be worn outdoors at the discretion of individual students
· We will have disposable, 2-ply masks on hand if masks are left at home.

Hand Hygiene
Students should disinfect their hands upon entering the church/classrooms/gym with provided hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol will be available throughout the buildings.
 
Classrooms
All classrooms and shared spaces will be arranged so that desks/tables/seats are six feet apart. Alternate space and outdoor space will be utilized to expand learning space options.
 
Drinking Fountains
Drinking fountains will NOT be available for traditional use. Students may bring water bottles from home filled with water if needed during the one hour class time.
 
Bathroom Procedures
Signs will be posted stating one person in a bathroom at a time, with masks on and social distancing while waiting.
 
Personal Belongings
Personal belongings (phones, writing utensils, etc.) should not be shared. Each classroom will have their own supplies that are disinfected after each class.

Facility Air Flow
Windows in school will be open during the faith formation class time for proper ventilation. Our building facilities department routinely checks the ventilation systems to make sure they are working adequately.
 
Cleanliness and Disinfecting Processes
The church, gym, and all classrooms are cleaned/disinfected after each use. High-touch areas will be cleaned before students arrive for classes.
 
Preparedness for Closure
In the event of a temporary closure due to uncontrollable circumstances, we have a distance learning plan in place and it will be implemented.
 
Remote/Distance Learning Faith Formation

· All registered St. Joseph the Worker and Holy Family faith formation students will have the option of remote learning from home instead of in-person classes. Curriculum will be supplied.
· When picking up remote learning curriculum parents/guardians need to wear their masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Mass Attendance Guidelines
 
As of June 10th, another step was taken in resuming the public celebration of Mass: Minnesota churches may now open to 50% capacity (or the number that can be safely accommodated with six feet of distance).  It bears repeating that this is not returning to our normal practice; some significant changes and restrictions  remain in place. 

· Anyone showing any symptoms of sickness, or anyone who has a household member who is sick or showing symptoms of sickness should not come to church.
· AT SJW, ENTER BY WAY OF DOOR #7 (parking lot entrance); all other doors will remain locked
· AT HF, ENTER BY WAY OF NEW ENTRANCE (upper or lower level); all other doors will remain locked
· Seating will be limited; please follow the stated limits set by your parish. (SJW – 150 in church; 45 in gym. HF – 75 in church; 48 in parish hall)
· Follow all posted signs concerning social distancing and sanitation requirements.
· Hand sanitizer is available at all church entrances and exits.
· Per the Minnesota mask mandate, those attending Mass are required to wear masks (those 5 and under are not required).
· Please do not engage in any physical touch, such as by greeting each other.
· All will be expected to cooperate with instructions from ushers, including using one-way traffic patterns.
· Collection baskets will not be passed by hand. A basket for church support will be available at the entrance, but we encourage you to give electronically at sjwhf.org.
· There is to be no presentation of gifts.
· The Sign of Peace is omitted entirely.
· Parishioners are strongly encouraged to receive Communion in the hand.
· The faithful should be reminded that at this time no one is obliged to receive Communion, and that Christ is encountered in those gathered in his name.
· Communicants should be reminded to observe the 6-foot distance between themselves while in line to receive Holy Communion.
· Only one, single-file line is permitted to approach the minister, rather than two parallel lines. (HF – one side at a time; SJW – process up side aisles and return by way of center aisle)