Bishop Scharfenberger announces Cessation of Public Masses during Coronovirus Threat – Click for Link

El Obispo Scharfenberger anuncia el cese de las Misas públicas durante la amenaza del coronavirus – Click for Link in Spanish

I wish to provide further clarity to yesterday evening’s announcement that all “regularly scheduled Masses are cancelled” in order to adhere to the latest guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which limits public gatherings to fewer than 50 individuals.

Bishop Scharfenberger asks all priests of the Diocese of Buffalo to continue to offer Mass daily (privately) for the many intentions that have been committed to and to ensure that the Eucharist is celebrated during this holy season of Lent.

The following recommendations are now in place:

• Social distancing requires a distance of 6 feet between persons.
• Those with even seasonal cold-like symptoms should avoid public places and gatherings of all kinds.
• Older adults and those with underlying health conditions are particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus and should refrain from even small public gatherings.
• Churches are to remain open to allow the faithful to make private devotions. SEAS will be open during regular Office hours.
• All public Masses are canceled beginning Saturday, March 14 at 4:00 PM, until further notice. This includes Sunday Masses as well as weekday Masses.
• Those parish priests who have the capability to live-stream Masses should promote these among parishioners via email. These Masses, however, are to be celebrated without a congregation.
• Weddings and funerals will be permitted, but should be limited to immediate family members only. You might suggest to families that, if they are worried about coming to church, the burial take place now, with a memorial Mass celebrated at a later date. Ideally, weddings for the most part should be postponed as much as possible, given the many preparations typically involved and required of parish staff.
• Parish baptism celebrations should be limited to immediate family only if they cannot be postponed. Upon reasonable request, confessions may be heard, preferably by appointment” at the parish office or some other appropriate place, like in the church when it is open for private prayer. Parish business offices may remain open.
• Parishes should continue with increased cleaning and sanitizing efforts. Have maintenance staff or volunteers wipe down pew railings. Place hand sanitizers and disinfectant wipes at all entrances to the church.
• The obligation to keep the Lord’s day holy can be fulfilled by maintaining a prayerful attitude and through personal and family prayer. The faithful are urged to watch the celebration of the Eucharist on TV as well.
• As the Easter Season extends until Pentecost, we should assure parishioners that they may still fulfill their “Easter duty” even after Easter Sunday – participating in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and attending Mass.
• Further directives regarding the celebration of the Chrism Mass, Palm Sunday and Holy Week will be shared with you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation and all that you are doing to support the spiritual life of our Catholic faithful during these very trying circumstances.