New Updates from the Archdiocese

The Archdiocese has let the parish know that services for Holy Week will be celebrated privately and not be open for the faithful to attend. While this is very disappointing news, please know that we will be streaming the Masses/services for Holy Thursday/Good Friday/Easter Sunday for our parishioners to view. We will also be working out a plan to offer blessed Palms for parishioners to pick up at the churches on Palm Sunday; stay tuned for details.

1. Baptisms administered by the ordinary minister of the sacrament within the parish setting are to be deferred, except in case of emergency. In these extreme instances, the faithful should contact a priest immediately.
2. Funeral Masses or services in the church or funeral home will no longer be conducted until further notice. Burial prayers may be said in an open air setting in a cemetery, as long as proper distancing of the ten people allowed by state regulation is maintained. They may not be held in a mortuary chapel. Be assured that a memorial Mass will be offered as soon as possible after restrictions are lifted.
3. Weddings are not allowed, unless absolutely necessary. If a wedding must take place for some serious reason, only the bride, groom, two witnesses and the officiant may be present, all maintaining the proper physical distance. Permission to celebrate a wedding must be obtained from the office of the vicar general.
4. Individual confession may be offered upon request, as long as hygiene and physical distancing requirements are observed.
5. Holy Communion may be administered as viaticum only. The minister of communion must observe the safety protocols dictated by the civil authorities for the prevention of the spread of infection.
6. If a pastor chooses to keep the parish church open for prayer, definite hours must be announced.  No public ceremonies such as the Mass or group devotions may take place so as to prevent any assembling of people. 
7. Parishioners who are in hospitals will be attended to by the Catholic chaplain on staff.