Masses NOT suspended

 

UPDATED: 24 November

In response to some inquiries and some rumors, Archbishop has asked us pastors to let our parishioners know that he has no intention of suspending public Masses. He has shared with his priests a letter he sent to one of the faithful (below).  Here in our region, we are continuing to follow all Covid protocols in the celebration of Mass and will continue to celebrate daily and Sunday Masses as well as Christmas Masses. 

As a reminder however, it is temporarily  not obligatory to attend Sunday Mass. Until that obligation is restored, parishioners should feel free to use their own judgment about the risk and as always stay home if there are any symptoms of any contagious illness.

Here's that letter from the Archbishop.

======

Dear ______________, 
 
Thank you for your recent letter. Unlike governors in some states, Governor DeWine has
never asked the Catholic Bishops of Ohio to lock churches or discontinue the public celebration of
Mass. He has kept the Bishops apprised of the seriousness of this pandemic in the State of Ohio,
and we have instructed our people to comply with the Governor’s mandate to wear masks and
practice social distancing. Compliance with the mandate is an expression of love and concern for
the health and well-being of our neighbor. 
 
In March, the Bishops of Ohio did suspend the public celebration of Mass, but this was
OUR decision because so little was known about the virus at that time – its spread, its contagion,
etc. Once the Bishops, and the public in general, had a better grasp of the data, the Bishops
reopened the churches for the public celebration of Mass.

The dispensation from the Sunday  obligation remains in place, and the Bishops have encouraged Catholics to attend Mass on any day of the week when the mandate for social distancing (along with wearing a mask) can be followed. 
 
Even though the virus is spiking once again in the State of Ohio, the Bishops have no
intention of suspending the public celebration of Mass as we did in March. In the last months,
much has been learned about the spread of the virus and what cautions can be taken to curtail the
spread. As long as the guidance of public health offices is followed – wear masks, social distance,
sanitize hands and churches on a regular basis, maximize fresh air exchange within buildings, etc.
– the Bishops of Ohio are of the opinion that public Masses can continue to be celebrated. We
must be concerned about both the spiritual and physical health of our people. 
 
With prayerful best wishes, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,

Archbishop Schnurr

Popular posts from this blog

Suspension of Masses until May

Image
It is with a heavy heart that I announce that the Ohio bishops have decided to continue to suspend the celebration of all public Masses at least through Sunday, May 3rd, inclusive. Here is their letter . We will continue to keep you updated on the best ways to adapt to this long-term absence of Eucharistic Communion.
Read more

Thanks for your generosity

Image
 UPDATED: 22 January  I'm a little belated in posting this, but just wanted to thank all of our parishioners who have been so generous with their time and financial resources to engage in the works of mercy -- such as feeding the hungry.  In partnership with St. Vincent de Paul and New Richmond Area Ministries (NRAM), we have been continuing our ongoing efforts to feed the hungry through our food pantries, stationary and mobile, on an ongoing basis.  Each year, we also try to remember our families in need for the year-end holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. For instance, on the St. Mary side, last November 24th we provided 20 Thanksgiving dinner baskets to needy families in the Bethel area.   On December 22nd, we provided 20 Christmas Dinner baskets to needy families as well. On the St. Peter side, together with the NRAM, o n November 20th, 90 boxes of food for a Thanksgiving Dinner were assembled at St. Peter's and then passed out the next day to the needy ...
Read more

Ordinations to the priesthood this weekend

Image
  UPDATED: May 21st With great joy, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati ordained seven men to the priesthood today  at the Cathedral Basilica downtown.  .   Their biographical sketches are available from the Catholic Telegraph .  If you are curious what an ordination ceremony looks like, you can view it here on YouTube.  Their first assignments are also posted. Last month we also ordained  seven seminarians to the diaconate , including the South Clermont region's own Deacon Patrick Blenman.  Every seminarian is ordained a deacon about a year before he is ordained to the priesthood and at that time promises to lay down his life in celibacy to love the Church in a completely dedicated and undivided way, as well as promising to pray the Church's breviary prayer cycle every day of his life on behalf of the Church and her needs.  At the same time, 14 men were ordained to the permanent diaconate as well, to serve as deacons in the parishes to assi...
Read more