We are Mask-Optional

The COVID Task Force and Archdiocese of Chicago shares the following update to COVID mitigation practices, making facemasks optional:

Masks

Beginning Thursday, February 10, Archdiocesan churches and chapels in Lake and Suburban Cook Counties (excluding Oak Park and Evanston) can move to mask-optional for all Masses, liturgies and Religious Education classes. The City of Chicago, Oak Park, and Evanston Health Departments currently have standing orders requiring masks applicable to Masses, liturgies and Religious Ed classes. We will continue to follow these orders in those municipalities while they are in effect. This mirrors the guidance provided to archdiocesan schools, as well.

To be clear, Archdiocesan and parish offices, including parish halls and social gathering places, must wait until the governor’s current statewide mask order is lifted on February 28 before moving to a mask-optional environment. Even then, some municipalities may still have standing orders requiring masks. We will continue to monitor developments in those jurisdictions and communicate updates accordingly.