Most Masses Canceled Until Further Notice

MASSES CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE The following are the directives we received TODAY from the Archdiocese of New York: 1. All public Masses are canceled beginning Saturday, March 14 at 4:00 PM, until further notice. This includes Sunday Masses as well as weekdays. 2. Churches will remain open for private prayer. 3. Funerals and weddings will be permitted but should be limited to family members only. If families are worried about coming to church, the burial could take place first, with a memorial Mass celebrated at a later date. 4. Parish baptism celebrations should be limited to family only if they cannot be postponed. 5. Upon a reasonable request, confessions may be heard, preferably by “appointment” at the parish office or some other appropriate place, like in the church when it is open for private prayer. 6. Experts advise people to be spaced three to six feet away from one another while in the church. 7. The obligation to keep the Lord’s day holy can be fulfilled by maintaining a prayerful attitude and through personal and family prayer. The faithful are urged to watch the celebration of the Eucharist on TV as well. 8. Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and will be available on many cable systems via the Catholic Faith Network and its website at www.catholicfaithnetwork.org, live-streamed on the St. Patrick’s Cathedral website at www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/live, and broadcast on radio on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129). 9. Effective Monday, March 16 until Friday, March 20, Catholic schools will be closed, with the possibility of a lengthier closure. 10. Beginning Saturday, March 14 until at least Monday, March 23, in-person religious education and youth ministry programs are suspended. 11. Parish business offices may remain open. 12. It is strongly advised that all precautions should be taken when the family is visiting and when a priest is anointing the sick at home, in nursing homes, and hospitals. Protective clothing and gear should be worn as directed by medical professionals at these facilities.