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Ogdensburg diocese cancels all gatherings for Mass, prayer and other activities until further notice

Posted 3/17/20

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Diocese Bishop Terry R. LaValley is canceling all public gatherings for Mass, prayer, faith formation and certain parish activities in the diocese starting Wednesday, March …

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Ogdensburg diocese cancels all gatherings for Mass, prayer and other activities until further notice

Posted

OGDENSBURG -- Ogdensburg Diocese Bishop Terry R. LaValley is canceling all public gatherings for Mass, prayer, faith formation and certain parish activities in the diocese starting Wednesday, March 18 until further notice.

“Bishop LaValley has dispensed all the Catholic faithful from the obligation to participate at Sunday Mass,” the diocese said in a news release.

A news release from the diocese said the bishop arrived at the decision “after much prayer, as well as consideration of the advice and guidance of health experts … due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its potential to spread rapidly and effect the most vulnerable of our society.”

Until the suspension on public Masses and gatherings is lifted, priests are encouraged to celebrate the Mass in private.

At the pastor’s discretion, churches may be open for personal prayer, though in the interest of avoiding large gatherings, prayer services and devotions such as the Stations of the Cross are to be suspended.

If a church is open for personal prayer, care should be taken to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned daily, including all surfaces, and social distancing is maintained.

Weddings and funerals and baptisms may proceed, but attendance should be limited to immediate family, and social distancing should be maintained. Fresh water should be used for each baptism. Emergency baptisms will continue to be conferred.

Individual reception of the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) should continue to be offered, but social distancing and precautions should be implemented during the administration of the Sacrament.

Pastoral care, including the Anointing of the Sick, will still be available in emergency situations.

“This was a difficult decision to make, and it was made knowing some of the faithful may be saddened or unhappy with the suspension of Mass and gatherings. It was also made with the hopes of ensuring the continued good health of the faithful, including our clergy. I feel we are working to protect all lives, especially the most vulnerable among us, by observing the recommendations to practice social distancing and avoid large gatherings. I hope and pray we can lift this suspension in time for Holy Week and Easter, but that decision will be made only after consideration of the information available to us closer to that time,” LaValley said in a prepared statement. “We continue to monitor this situation, and we will provide further guidance when and if it becomes necessary. Please keep each other, our clergy and all impacted by this pandemic, including patients, as well as medical professionals, emergency responders, researchers and policy makers, in your prayers during this difficult time.”