Catholic churches across the country have been open for up to four months since shelter-in-place orders were lifted. With approximately 17,000 parishes in America typically holding three or more weekend Masses — and a greater number of daily Masses — for the last 14 or more weeks — over one million public Masses have been celebrated following guidelines to prevent the spread of the virus: in sum, follow the three W’s — watch your distance, wear your mask, and wash your hands.
PORTLAND, Maine (CNS) — A parish priest in Bangor, Maine, said he saw many Massgoers "in tears" as they took holy Communion for the first time in close to three months at a publicly celebrated …
“The very first thing I want to say to you this morning is welcome back. Welcome home,” Bishop Thomas J. Tobin said during Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence, on Sunday, May 31. His welcoming message was shared to those gathered as public Mass resumed in the Diocese of Providence. In early March, the bishop dispensed the faithful from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of obligation due to the COVID-10 pandemic.
The Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization announces that Pope Francis is to join Marian sanctuaries across the world, to pray to the Virgin Mary for help amidst the pandemic.
PROVIDENCE — Following several weeks of careful consultations between the Diocese of Providence and the Governor’s Office and the Rhode Island Department of Health, public worship will resume in Catholic Churches on May 30, the Vigil of the Solemnity of Pentecost, following a set of guidelines released Wednesday by the diocese.
After several weeks of careful consultation with the Governor’s office and the Rhode Island Department of Health, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has issued guidelines to parishes for the return to public worship amid the coronavirus pandemic.
