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May 15, 2020
Friday, May 15th, 2020:
Bishop Edward Weisenburger released a gradual plan to reopen parishes for worship. The plan includes offering Holy Communion on Ascension weekend (May 23/24) after streaming a Mass service held privately (closed to public).
The plan also included indefinitely suspending the Sunday Mass Obligation. "The decision to return to the public celebrations of our faith during this time of pandemic should not be made casually or lightly by anyone," stated Bishop Weisenburger. "Those age 65 or older, as well as anyone with a chronic health condition, are strongly urged to remain at home and not come onto church premises."
Public Mass may begin as early as Pentecost, and the weekend Masses will be spread over Friday through Monday. Pastors must certify to the Bishop that protocols will be in place. "Those protocols pertain to social distancing ( outdoors and indoors) at our churches, limitations on numbers present for a Mass, proper cleaning of church facilities, the use of face masks, hand sanitizers, certain ways in which the Mass may/may not be celebrated, and a host of other factors," explained Bishop Weisenburger.
For more details and to view the full statement, click here
St. Mark is working on what our opening plan will look like and will be sharing it very soon, stay tuned!