As COVID-19 cases mount in Minnesota, Archbishop Bernard Hebda in a Dec. 1 letter urged pastors in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to strongly recommend that parishioners who attend Mass or other large indoor events wear facemasks and to continue looking for ways to physically distance.

The Minnesota Department of Health also has urged renewed vigilance. November was this year’s deadliest pandemic month in the state with 628 COVID-related deaths. COVID-19 hospitalizations increased to 1,562 Dec. 1, bringing the state closer to the record 1,864 hospitalizations on Nov. 29, 2020.

“COVID cases unfortunately seem to be increasing in many counties in the Archdiocese,” the archbishop said in his letter to pastors, “and some hospital ICUs are strained beyond capacity. In light of the current situation, and out of sensitivity for the parishioners who are again concerned about the spread of COVID-19 in church, I am requesting that you strongly recommend to parishioners coming for Mass or for other large indoor event that they wear facemasks. We are already asked to do this in many retail shops, restaurants and other places where crowds gather.

“Please also continue to look for ways to enable the faithful to physically distance, where possible,” he continued. “I have seen in some of our parishes seating areas designated for those who would like to maintain a wider social distance from fellow parishioners. It may also be helpful to continue offering overflow seating in auxiliary spaces that are linked by video feed, or parking lot Masses or the opportunity for Mass participation via radio broadcast or livestream with drive-up Communion. I know those who are able to receive our Lord in these alternate ways are very appreciative of your efforts, as am I.”

The archbishop thanked pastors for their patient and tireless attention to the “spiritual and temporal needs of so many during this pandemic.”

“Many of you have served at a great risk to your own health and personal wellness,” he said. “In fact, just last week seven of our clergy brothers tested positive for COVID and were quarantined. This is the highest number of infected clergy at one time since the beginning of the pandemic.”

The archbishop closed the letter by seeking prayers.

“In these first days of Advent, please join me in praying for an end to the pandemic and for the comfort of those who have lost loved ones,” the archbishop said. “Let us also pray for the safety of those serving in medical fields, who are daily risking their own health — and that of their loved ones. May God protect, strengthen, and reward them.”