Latest Mandate Suspends All Masses

March 16, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

We have received the updated directive below from Archbishop Carlson this afternoon.

We will be modifying our Eucharistic Adoration time to 7:00 am to 8:00 pm tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th. Confessions will be heard following the opening prayers for Adoration.

Please keep everyone in prayer,
Father Joe Wormek
Pastor

ARCHDIOCESE OF ST. LOUIS OFFICE OF THE ARCHBISHOP

March 16 -- In order to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community, I am mandating the suspension of all public Masses in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, beginning with Masses following this communication today, March 16, 2020. Pending updates and guidance from local and state government and health officials, we have preliminary plans to resume Masses beginning April 6; however, we will re-evaluate at a later date.

At this time, all churches are to remain open to individuals for personal prayer, devotions and confessions.

All public celebrations of the liturgy, as well as Liturgy of the Hours, Stations of the Cross, and all other group services, Bible studies and activities are to cease beginning immediately. The dispensation I have offered for all Catholics in our archdiocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is now extended through April 5.
Eucharistic Adoration: Decisions regarding whether to continue operation of adoration chapels should be determined by the pastor. However, the exposed Blessed Sacrament is never to be left unattended. If necessary, the Blessed Sacrament may be reposed in the tabernacle at least two times during a period of adoration. Please take care to implement the most recent social distancing guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), ensuring that no more than 10 individuals are gathered in Eucharistic adoration at one time.
Weddings / Funerals / Baptisms: The decisions regarding whether to continue with weddings and funerals remain with the parish pastor. The Archdiocese of St. Louis recommends limiting attendance at these sacred events to immediate family members only – or rescheduling. Parish pastors should determine whether to continue with baptisms. Where possible, the Archdiocese of St. Louis recommends that baptisms be conducted in a simple, private, individual ceremony.
Sacrament of Reconciliation: It is recommended that the Sacrament of Penance be celebrated using a screen (anonymously) to ensure the health department’s social distancing guidelines. If a penitent prefers to offer a confession face-to-face, the chair of the penitent should be placed approximately six feet from the confessor. This may require holding confessions in a different location than usual.
Holy Communion: may still be administered by clergy in Masses sine populo, following the guidelines of my previous letter, which is attached to this email. Holy Communion may also be distributed outside of Mass at times determined by the pastor. All ministers, ordinary and extraordinary, delivering Holy Communion to the elderly, sick or homebound need to be in good health.

Mary, Health of the Sick and our Mother, pray for us.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson
Archbishop of St. Louis