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From Bishop Callahan: "In light of the continued concern surrounding spreading the coronavirus COVID-19, and the advice of medical experts across the country and especially in our State, all public Masses in the Diocese of La Crosse will be canceled beginning 20 March 2020 until further notice. All fish fries, parish gatherings, etc. are also canceled. For further details, read Bishop Callahan's full decree HERE. Weddings and funerals may be held with fewer than fifty in attendance, and as before, televised Masses are also still available. Live and prerecorded Sunday Mass is available via diolc.org, the diocesan YouTube channel, Facebook, and televised on the following channels: Eau Claire, Channel 18, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. La Crosse, Channel 19, at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Marshfield (Public Access), Channel 989, at 10:30 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. Sunday. Stevens Point (Public Access), Channel 984 at Noon and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Wausau, (Cable and Satellite), Channel 12 at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Wausau (Public Access), Channel 980, at 6:00 p.m. Saturday and 9:00 a.m. Sunday. Wisconsin Rapids (Public Access), Channel 985 and Channel 3 at 6:00 a.m. and 1:00 pm. Sunday. https://diolc.org/tvmass Prayer of Spiritual Communion for when you cannot physically receive the Eucharist: HERE. The Knights of Columbus has shared a Prayer for Protection in a Time of Pandemic, included in our previous post. Please contact Father Emmanuel with questions and concerns.
In light of the health concerns raised by COVID-19, Bishop Callahan has issued a temporary dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass in the Diocese of La Crosse, stating, "The faithful should be reminded that, if they are ill, they are under no obligation to attend Mass and should remain at home until they recover from their illness. Also, those who are well, but who are concerned about the Coronavirus threat because of age, health condition or other reasons, are currently dispensed from the Sunday obligation until further notice." For those who are healthy, "As of now Sunday services will still be held and those not in a vulnerable position are encouraged to attend and join your prayers to those who are absent." The Bishop has outlined precautions to be taken at Mass for the health and safety of parishioners. Read his statement on COVID-19 Liturgical Practices. Bishop Callahan reminds us that, "Liturgical prayer, particularly the Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our faith, is essential for all believers," and, "This lifting of the obligation to attend Mass in no way reduces the command to keep Holy the Sabbath." He encourages those unable to attend Mass to participate in spiritual communion by praying with a televised Mass if possible (links below), or as described in the Code of Canon Law 1248 (2), to "'devote themselves to prayer for a suitable time alone, as a family, or, as the occasion permits, in groups of families.'" To view Sunday readings, visit USCCB.org. Read Bishop Callahan's full pastoral address and decree to the people of the Diocese of La Crosse HERE. Tri-Parish parishioners, please contact Father Emmanuel with any questions.
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