On May 13, 2021, the CDC announced that scientific data shows that fully vaccinated people may safely return to not wearing masks in most settings including indoor activities. This is great news and a major step forward in getting beyond this terrible pandemic.
However, people who are not yet vaccinated are still at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 in New York City.
For the health and safety of our brothers and sisters who have not yet been able to get a vaccine, the Church of St. Francis of Assisi we will continue to require masks and social distancing at Mass for the time being. This may change as the risk levels in New York City decline. However as Christians called to love one another, we feel that this is a small sacrifice that those who are vaccinated we can still make for the sake of those who are not.
The friars and staff strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible for the sake of the common good. We can overcome this pandemic if we continue to all do our part. As Pope Francis said, getting vaccinated is the moral thing to do for our own safety, for the safety of our family, friends and neighbors and for the common good.