A letter from Bishop Hicks lifting the dispensation for the obligation to attend Sunday Mass on Palm Sunday was sent today to parishes for inclusion in the March 27 bulletin. Read the letter below.

Letter from Bishop Hicks Regarding Lifting of Dispensation

(Español)

With the state of Illinois lifting the mask mandate for indoor public spaces on February 28, the Diocese of Joliet will revise its protocols and lift restrictions. The revised guidelines affect all church and office activities; schools and religious education continue to follow their own requirements.

These new protocols will be effective February 28, 2022.  Previously issued guidelines remain in effect until that time.

• Revisions to Diocese of Joliet COVID-19 Mitigation Protocols, effective 2/28/2022
  This document shall supersede all guidelines previously issued by the Diocese of Joliet and is subject to revision.

Updated Downloadable PDF Flyer for Church, Parish Centers or Office Doors

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During a press conference [on February 9, 2022], Governor J.B. Pritzker announced the statewide mask mandate for Illinois residents over the age of two in indoor public spaces would be lifted on February 28. He also indicated the current mask mandate for school personnel and students could be rescinded “in the coming weeks.” With the end of mask-wearing on the horizon, and after consulting with our principals and directors of religious education, the Diocese of Joliet has decided to forgo implementation of the proposed Mask Use Form.

Please see the attached PDF for an FAQ on mask recommendations for educational and catechetical activities.

FAQ Sheet for Educational and Catechetical Activities
(Español)

February 7, 2022

NOTE: SOME OR ALL ELEMENTS OF THIS UPDATE HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE

January 13, 2022

Revision to Diocese of Joliet COVID-19 Exposure Protocols for Parishes and Schools
This document shall supersede all guidelines previously issued by the Diocese of Joliet and are subject to revision. Parishes and schools shall defer to local county health department regulations if they are more stringent. This applies to all staff and students.

NOTE: SOME OR ALL ELEMENTS OF THIS UPDATE HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE

Revision to Diocese of Joliet COVID-19 Singing Protocols (PDF)
This document shall supersede all previously issued guidelines and are subject to revision. Parishes shall defer to local regulations if they are more stringent. A pastor may choose to take more restrictive measures than those listed here, but he may not take less restrictive measures.

• Additional resource: COVID-19 IDPH Guidance (9/2/2021, PDF)

NOTE: SOME OR ALL ELEMENTS OF THIS UPDATE HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE

Updated COVID-19 Guidance per Governor's Statewide Mask Mandate
(Click here to view PDF)

Updated Downloadable PDF Flyer for Church, Parish Centers or Office Doors

English    |     Español

NOTE: SOME ELEMENTS OF THIS UPDATE HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE

 Includes updates for:

• Parish Activities
• Procedures for Liturgical Services
• Educational Activities (both schools & RE)
• Additional guidance for masks, vaccines, physical distancing, cleaning, etc.

NOTE: This document shall supersede all previously issued guidelines and are subject to revision. Parishes shall defer to local regulations if they are more stringent.

NOTE: SOME OR ALL ELEMENTS OF THIS UPDATE HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE

Gov. J.B. Pritzker today announced a mask mandate for all PreK-12 school students and staff. During the 2020-21 academic year, Diocese of Joliet Catholic schools followed scientific mitigation guidelines offered by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health and recommended by the Illinois State Board of Education. These efforts allowed our schools to successfully conduct in-person learning with masks.

The safety of our students remains a top priority, along with providing academic excellence guided by Catholic values. To comply with the mandate, we will require masks for all students, teachers, staff and visitors in our Catholic schools. We pray for those affected by the coronavirus, and we pray for an end to this pandemic. 

NOTE: SOME OR ALL ELEMENTS OF THIS UPDATE HAVE BEEN SUPERSEDED. PLEASE SEE ABOVE

Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools Office issues COVID-19 guidance for 2021-2022 academic year

During the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Diocese of Joliet Catholic schools have followed scientific mitigation guidelines offered by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). These efforts allowed our schools to successfully conduct in-person learning for our students during the 2020-2021 academic year.

The CDC recently issued guidance for in-person learning for the 2021-2022 school year beginning this August, which was adopted by IDPH and ISBE. Diocesan schools will follow this guidance as follows:

• Fully vaccinated individuals do not have to wear a mask indoors or outdoors. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated — including children younger than 12, who are not yet eligible for vaccination — are recommended to wear masks. Staff and students will not be required to provide their vaccination status.

• Parents will decide whether their children will wear a mask. All parents will be required to sign a “Mask Use” form.  This is based on the decision-making control granted to local school administrators by the CDC guidance:

“CDC continues to recommend masking and physical distancing as key prevention strategies. However, if school administrators decide to remove any of the prevention strategies for their school based on local conditions, they should remove them one at a time and monitor closely (with adequate testing through the school and/or community) for any increases in COVID-19 cases. Schools should communicate their strategies and any changes in plans to teachers, staff, and families, and directly to older students, using accessible materials and communication channels, in a language and at a literacy level that teachers, staff, students, and families understand.”

• Physical distancing of 3 feet is still recommended.

Diocesan school officials will monitor any outbreak of COVID-19 cases and, if needed, implement more stringent mitigation efforts — including mandatory masking — to provide a safe learning environment for our students and staff. We look forward to the new school year and welcoming back our students to a diverse curriculum focused on academic excellence and Catholic values.