Friday, March 13, 2020

The Archbishop of New Orleans dispenses obligation to attend Mass

Archbishop Aymond dispenses Catholic Faithful from obligation to attend Mass

Posted by. Tre Williams on Friday, March 13, 2020 at 2:07 PM






Today, Governor John Bel Edwards issued an Executive Order asking people to refrain from attending gatherings of more than 250 people in an effort to prevent the further spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and he has closed schools for the next 30 days. In following with the Governor's executive order, Archbishop Aymond sent out this message below:


"I am dispensing the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of New Orleans from the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday effective immediately through the next 30 days. We are closing our Catholic schools for the next 30 days in cooperation with the executive order. These dates may be updated as needed. I highly encourage those who are elderly, sick, experiencing symptoms of illness, or who are at high risk of illness to not attend Mass these weekends. The virus has been contracted with serious issues by those 60 and older. Those in that age group must take seriously the caution to implement “social distancing”. "


For those who cannot and choose not to attend Mass, the 11 am Sunday Mass from St. Louis Cathedral is broadcast live on WLAE-TV and live streamed at theDailyMass.com and theDailyMass.com Facebook page. The live stream will be shared to the St. Maria Goretti Parish Facebook page on Sunday for parishioners to access it. There are also other opportunities for televised Mass via Catholic TV and EWTN.


Parish Mass schedules remain on schedule.

Please be advised that all previously released guidance for Mass remains in effect with some modification:
Holy Water fonts will be empty;
Please refrain from holding hands during the “Our Father”;
Please extend the sign of peace without physical contact;
Encourage Eucharistic Ministers to practice good hygiene by using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after distributing communion; and
Holy Communion will not be offered from the chalice to the congregation.



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