Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
Guidelines for Faith Formation Events and Activities (Children, Youth, and Adult) 2020-2021:

As baptized Christians, we have an obligation to proclaim the Gospel. Saint Paul VI reminds us that  “Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize, that is to say, in order to preach and teach, to be the channel of the gift of grace, to reconcile sinners with God, and to perpetuate Christ's sacrifice in the Mass, which is the memorial of His death and glorious resurrection” (Evangelization in the Modern World, 14).

People are hungry for the Good News that Christ lived and died for our salvation. Saint Paul admonishes us to “preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season” (2 Tim 4: 2) and we must use all the gifts, creativity, wisdom, and prudence we have to continue to answer that call now, more than ever. Jesus Himself had to contend with the obstacles of His day in preaching the Gospel and so must we. 

These guidelines are intended to facilitate our fulfillment of that mission to which we have been called. 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.

Church of St. Peter Faith Formation 2020-2021 COVID Preparedness Plan

General Principles:
“Faith formation” is used in this document as an all-inclusive term referring to adult formation, youth ministry, family formation, and programs of systematic catechesis and sacramental preparation for children. 

• St. Peter has adequate personnel and supplies to implement these guidelines and ensure that everyone is sufficiently trained and ready. 
• This Preparedness Plan was developed from the Guidance for Gatherings: Faith-Based Communities, Places of Worship, and Ceremonies. 
• This Preparedness Plan for faith formation is communicated to all parishioners, including parents. It is important that everyone understand what the parish is doing to keep people safe at faith formation activities and events. 
• Policies and practices for the 2020-2021 faith formation year are flexible in responding to new information and developments. It is acknowledged that a willingness to adapt and refine approaches when specific practices are not working will be needed. 
• The faith formation policies for the 2020-2021 year possess the ability to be adapted based on the level of viral transmission that may become present in the local community. 
• Special considerations will be made to best provide for the needs of individual children and families.
• As the primary educators and catechists of their children, 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 any onsite activities. 
• All activities involving children and youth follow Office of Ministerial Standards and Safe Environment child-protection protocols. 

Mitigation of virus transmission:

•  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. 
• All adults, children, and youth attending Faith Formation activities will be screened for symptoms upon their arrival. This includes a brief questionnaire regarding current symptoms as well as temperature check. 
• At-risk persons and those with preexisting health conditions should consider staying home and not attending in-person faith formation activities at this time. 
• If an adult, child or youth experiences symptoms of COVID-19 or tests positive following attendance at a faith formation activity, the pastor and head of faith formation must be notified immediately. 
• Parents will be notified by email if any adult, child, or youth attending faith formation activities on the same day as their child is confirmed positive for COVID-19.
• Since there are shared spaces, if St. Peter school classes are suspended due to an outbreak of COVID-19, in-person faith formation activities and events will be suspended until the Pastor, in consultation with the Office for the Mission of Catholic Education, determines it is safe to resume. 
• If faith formation children and youth attend school in a local public school district(s) that closes an individual school or schools due to an outbreak of COVID-19, the Pastor, in consultation with the Office for the Mission of Catholic Education, will determine whether in-person faith formation activities and events will be temporarily suspended. 
• Parents or caregivers are asked to notify the Church of St. Peter as soon as possible if their child has had a known exposure or attends a school or group that experiences an outbreak. Additionally, parents agree to not send the child to any Faith Formation activity if such an exposure occurs.
•  If faith formation children and youth attend school in a local public school district(s) that chooses not to hold in-person classes at one or more schools to begin the school year, the Pastor, in consultation with his faith formation staff, will determine whether in-person faith formation activities and events will occur.

Staff and Volunteer Training:

• Father Stefano Colombo, Faith Formation Coordinator, is the primary contact person for raising concerns or questions that any program participant (catechist, learner, parent) might have regarding procedures and/or incidents. Any information, feedback, suggestions etc. from parents, learners and our catechetical volunteers are welcome. 
• Volunteer catechists are properly trained on the Preparedness Plan and demonstrate understanding of their critical role in ensuring a healthy environment for faith formation. Records of the training provided will be maintained.

Events and Activities:

• Per Minnesota Executive Order 20-81, face coverings are required at this time for all participants over the age of five (adults, children, youth, faith formation staff, and volunteers) during indoor activities. The Minnesota Department of Health provides further information on this requirement and legitimate exemptions. 
• Face coverings may be worn for outdoor activities at the discretion of individual participants. 
•  Faith formation activities generally fall into three categories: 

1.  Static – A structured situation such as a talk or presentation on some aspect of the faith. Attendees arrive, sit and listen or pray, and then depart. This would also include faith formation classes for children and youth, provided all participants except the catechist face the same direction. 
2. Static +– Gathering in a larger group and then breaking into small groups. Other examples would be bible studies or small groups where participants are facing and talking towards each other and all events held outdoors. 
3. Dynamic – An unstructured situation such as a social gathering that involves high levels of movement throughout one or more indoor spaces. 

• At this time, faith formation events and activities will remain primarily Static or Static+ in nature, with no more than 50% of room capacity utilized, to a maximum of 250 people. 
• If a planned activity must be Dynamic in nature, participants must be limited to 10 or fewer indoors and 25 or fewer outdoors. Activities that cross over from Static or Static+ to Dynamic will follow the Dynamic participant limits and maintain social distancing requirements. 
• Attendance will be taken at all faith formation activities and maintained on file. Parents should monitor the symptoms of their child(ren) and not send those who exhibit symptoms. 

Food:

There is no evidence that COVID-19 is spread by food. However, people sharing utensils and congregating around food service areas can pose a risk. 

• If a cafeteria or group dining room is used, individually plated meals or grab-and-go options will be provided (i.e. pre-packaged boxes or bags for each attendee)
• No self-serve food or drink options, such as buffets, salad bars, and drink stations will be allowed. 

Off-site activities:

• Group travel for off-site activities, including service projects, will be limited and only occur if the mode of transportation can accommodate appropriate social distancing. Participants will wear face coverings while traveling. 
• Off-site activities, including service projects and retreats, must follow the same procedures as on-site activities, depending on the category (number of participants, social distancing, face coverings, personal hygiene, etc.) 
• Off-site events and activities that are indoors must also follow Minnesota Executive Order 20-81 (face coverings), with the noted exemptions from MDH.
• Guidelines for off-site activities will be based on recommendations Guidance for Bus Transit Operators and Considerations for Schools from the CDC. 

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd:

• The Church of St. Peter follows the Considerations for Opening CGS Atria in Light of COVID-19 Concerns from CGUSA. 

Social Distancing 

•  A minimum of six feet of social distancing is maintained during both indoor and outdoor activities. 
• Physical contact between individuals is avoided (i.e. handshakes, hugs). 
• The Church of St. Peter has a plan in place for arrival and dismissal of children and youth from formation activities thorough the gym door (E1) to maintain social distancing guidelines. 

Disinfecting and Cleaning Measures:

• Following each event or activity, all occupied areas will be cleaned and disinfected. 
• If faith formation events and activities use space in our school, Fr. Stefano Colombo coordinate will coordinate with Alison Dahlman, the school principal, to develop a plan to ensure those spaces are appropriately cleaned and disinfected prior to the subsequent school day. 
• Personal belongings (phones, writing utensils. etc.) are not be shared. Plans are in place to limit the sharing of common supplies. 
• Procedures for use of the bathroom by children are based on guidance at Considerations for Events and Gatherings from the CDC. 

Personal hygiene 

 All participants should: 

• Disinfect their hands upon entering the church building with provided hand sanitizer. 
• They should wash their hands frequently with soap and water (especially before and after eating). Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.