Maine Churches to Change Attendance Capacity Temporarily and Call on Governor Mills to Serve as Better “Partner” 

PORTLAND---In accordance with Governor Mills’ guidelines, Catholic churches in Maine will temporarily allow a maximum of 50 persons in attendance for indoor daily and Sunday Masses, no later than Monday, November 16. The Maine CDC reported 204 new cases of COVID-19 on November 9, a new single-day record. Maine’s seven-day average for new cases is now 160.9, a leap from a month ago when it was just 31.9. On November 10, the CDC reported that Maine has the highest virus reproduction rate in the nation.  

“At this time, the spike in COVID-19 cases has forced this temporary decrease of in-person attendance at Masses,” said Bishop Robert Deeley. “I understand the great frustration felt by the many Catholics who have reached out to me. For you and me, the place in which we find Jesus is at Mass in the Eucharist. We believe that it is truly Jesus, assuring all that God is with us. Eucharist gives us the grace to live our lives as followers of Jesus. This includes promoting and defending the common good by taking care of each other. The mission of the Catholic Church always works to guide those it encounters to live in harmony and peace. In making this temporary change, we believe that we make this sacrifice for the common good.”

Strict adherence to state and diocesan protocols have led to the successful operation of the 141 Catholic churches in Maine during the pandemic. The protocols have included mandatory masks for Mass attendees; pew seating arrangements to separate individuals/families; and proper sanitization of pews and all touched surfaces after each Mass.