Bishop Richard F. Stika has issued updated COVID-19 safety procedures for parishes with an eye toward restoring the Sunday mass obligation on Pentecost weekend, May 22-23. The revised protocols come in the wake of the nation’s move to extend vaccinations to more people and stem the impact of the virus on the public and the healthcare system. For a summary of the bishop's new guideance or to read the text of the decree please visit the website of the Diocese of Knoxville.