POPE FRANCIS – DECREE:
IN TIME OF COVID-19 HOLY WEEK AND THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM 2020 Having reviewed the Decree: In Time of COVID-19, issued by mandate of Pope Francis and published by the Offices of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (Prot. N. 153/20) on March 19, 2020, I, Douglas Crosby, OMI, hereby decree the following to be observed during Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum 2020 in the Diocese of Hamilton: 1. CHRISM MASS: The Chrism Mass will be celebrated privately at the Cathedral Basilica of Christ the King by the Bishop and members of the Episcopal Board on March 24, 2020. The oils will be delivered to the Deans to be distributed to Parishes at a later date. 2. PALM SUNDAY: The public celebration of Palm Sunday is not permitted. During the private celebration of Mass, Pastors may bless the palms and make them available at a later date when health authorities permit public gatherings. 3. SACRED TRIDUUM: The celebration of the Sacred Triduum is not to be celebrated in Parish churches. It is not possible to celebrate the various rites, which require a suitable number of ministers, given the limitations currently in force in the Province of Ontario. 4. SACRED TRIDUUM EXCEPTIONS: The only exceptions to the prohibition against celebrating the Sacred Triduum are cloistered religious communities in the Diocese and convents with a resident chaplain, providing that social distancing is observed. 5. HOLY THURSDAY: Priests are permitted to celebrate privately the Mass of the Lord' s Supper on Holy Thursday. The faculty to celebrate this Mass without the people is granted in an exceptional manner by the Holy See to all Priests. The washing of the feet, which is already optional, is omitted. Likewise, the procession with the Blessed Sacrament to the place of repose is omitted. The Blessed Sacrament is to be kept in the tabernacle. Priests who are unable to celebrate Mass should instead pray Vespers of the day. 6. GOOD FRIDAY: The Celebration of the Passion on Good Friday is not to be celebrated. Instead, Priests are encouraged to read the Passion of the Lord and pray the Universal Prayer from the liturgy of the day, and include prayers for all whose lives are being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 7. EASTER VIGIL: The Easter Vigil is not to be celebrated in any Parish in the Diocese. Priests are to pray the Office of Readings for Easter Sunday. The Sacraments of Christian Initiation and the reception of candidates for Full Communion are to be postponed until a later date. 8. EASTER SUNDAY: On Easter Sunday, Priests are to celebrate Mass, without the presence of the faithful. During the Mass, they are to light the Paschal Candle and bless water using the formula on page 358 (no. 54) in the Roman Missal. Given at Hamilton, Ontario, this 23rd day of March, 2020. Sincerely in Christ and Mary Immaculate, Most Rev. Douglas Crosby, OMI, Bishop of Hamilton Very Rev. Msgr. Murray Kroetsch, VG, PH, Chancellor
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Thank you for your feedback regarding the recent experience of Sunday Mass in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak. Given the directives of Health Care professionals responding to COVID19, the following will be implemented in the Diocese of Hamilton effective immediately: SUNDAY MASSES Until further notice, I ask that each Pastor privately celebrate one Sunday Mass for the intentions of the people of his parish, as required by Canon Law (c. 534). The faithful in their homes are to be united in prayer with their Pastor. As Diocesan Bishop, I hereby dispense the faithful from the obligation to participate in the Sunday Mass (c. 87), until we are again able to assemble for the Lord’s Day, in accord with the directives of health authorities. WEEKDAY MASSES Until further notice all public celebrations of weekday Masses are suspended. FUNERALS Funeral Masses and receptions in Parishes are not permitted at this time. The Rite of Committal may be celebrated at the cemetery with immediate family members present. A Funeral Mass may be celebrated at a later date. BAPTISM The Sacrament of Baptism may be celebrated privately with immediate family members present. Communal celebrations of Baptism are to be postponed until further notice. MARRIAGE All Marriage Preparation Courses have been cancelled until the end of May. Couples to be married before they can complete a course are permitted to celebrate their marriage with immediate family members present. They may wish to take part in a course at a later date. PARISH MEETINGS Pastors are encouraged to cancel large Parish gatherings, including Missions and Retreats, during the coming weeks until further notice. THE SICK, THE NEEDY AND THE HOMEBOUND Pastors are encouraged to reach out to the sick, the elderly and the housebound to ensure they receive pastoral care. CHRISM MASS The Chrism Mass will be celebrated privately without the participation of the priests, deacons and faithful. The Sacred Oils will be blessed and distributed to the Deans. Pastors are invited to pick up the oils for their Parishes after Monday, April 6, 2020. Pastors may not vary from these directives without consulting the Chancellor or myself directly. These are challenging times and we must work together for the care and safety of the community. Thank you for your attention to these directives. Sincerely in Christ and Mary Immaculate, +Douglas Crosby, OMI (Most Rev) Douglas Crosby, OMI Bishop of Hamilton. Recent news reports regarding the spread of the COVID-19 virus have prompted questions about various liturgical practices. I am happy to provide the following common-sense directives for our Diocese. Handwashing – The advice of health care experts is that one of the most effective means to prevent the spread of viruses is frequent and complete handwashing. Parishes may wish to consider making hand sanitizers available to parishioners at the entrances of Churches, Halls and Parish Offices. Parish Priests and Pastoral Ministers may want to be especially attentive to regular handwashing, particularly between Masses or before and after visiting the sick. Sign of Peace – There is no prescribed gesture for the Sign of Peace. Handshaking is not necessary. Pastors may advise their Parishioners to exchange the Sign of Peace with those near them by bowing and greeting with a simple “Peace to you.” The Sign of Peace is not to be omitted from the celebration of the Eucharist. Reception of Holy Communion – The option to receive Holy Communion in the hand, or on the tongue, is up to the Communicant. During a viral outbreak people may wish to receive Holy Communion in the hand, but they are not to be denied if they choose to receive on the tongue. At this time there is no need to discontinue Communion on the tongue in the Diocese of Hamilton. Communion from the Chalice – Holy Communion offered under both Species is a fuller sign of our faith in the Lord’s Eucharistic Presence. People who are sick with cold or flu, or other ailments should refrain from receiving from the Chalice. At this time, there is no need to discontinue Communion from the Chalice in the Diocese of Hamilton. For those who bring Communion to the sick in Health Care Institutions, please follow the directions of the Institution you are visiting. Further communication regarding the reception of Holy Communion may become necessary in the event of a major viral outbreak. Let us be united in prayer for one another at the start of this Lenten Season. Let us pray also for all the sick, for their families and care-givers. Sincerely in Christ and Mary Immaculate, (Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, O.M.I., Bishop of Hamilton |
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Rev. Fr. Christopher Tracey
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