With the coronavirus now spreading through the United States, we are taking steps to help prevent the spread of the disease. We are relying on directives from the Diocese of Manchester and the Saint Anselm College Pandemic Preparedness and Response Task Force to shape our response. This page will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
Directives from the Diocese of Manchester
On Thursday March 12, 2020, the Bishop of Manchester released the following directives for the faithful of the Diocese of Manchester. These directives are now in place at Saint Anselm Abbey.
- Practice good hygiene and direct extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion to do the same, washing their hands before Mass begins or even using an alcohol-based solution before and after distributing Holy Communion
- Assure people that if they are sick, they are not obliged to attend Mass and, in fact, should not attend.
- Coffee socials after Mass are to be suspended.
- Suspend the Sign of Peace.
- Suspend distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful via the chalice.
More information on the Diocese of Manchester's response to the coronavirus can be found Diocese of Manchester's website.
Directives from the Saint Anselm College Pandemic Preparedness and Response Task Force
Given the continued concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), we have considered best practices, have noted the guidelines from the Preparedness Task Force of limiting access to campus to those with current Saint Anselm identification (current faculty, staff, students, monastic community). Please note that these limitations to access to the college (noted above) includes access to the Abbey Church and all liturgies.
Therefore, please note the following:
- Campus Ministry has suspended all noon time Masses for the foreseeable future.
- All liturgies in the Abbey church are restricted to members of the Saint Anselm Community (as identified above).