COVID-19 Updated diocesan directive
Based on the current situation as well as the statements made today by Gov. Baker and the President, Bishop Mitchell Rozanski has issued these updated directives.
1/ All Masses and other activities are suspended in all parishes until further notice. I would strongly urge parishioners to view our televised Mass, the Chalice of Salvation which airs in Berkshire County at 6am Sunday on WXXA Fox23 Albany and elsewhere on WWLP 22News Sunday morning at 10am. And there will be 2 live streamed Masses, Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 10am, via a link at Www.stagnescc.com.
2/ The only exception for parish based activities would be Take & Eat programs which may continue at the discretion of the pastor.
3/All pastoral in-home and nursing home visits are to be discontinued unless the individual is in critical condition.
4/ Catholic schools will close for two weeks.
5/ In light of these circumstances the planned ACA In-Pew Commitment Weekend will be rescheduled to weekend of April 18/19 2020.
6/ Working with risk management and environmental consultants, we are developing a comprehensive response plan to help guide us in the coming days, weeks and months.
IMPORTANT EDITOR’S NOTE: In light of the directives noted above, Bishop Rozanski has excused all Catholics of the obligation to attend Mass as long as these measures are in effect.
Funerals, Baptisms, Weddings
These may occur as long as they are private small gatherings of immediate family, close friends only.
Dispensation
Bishop wishes to be clear that by virtue of his actions today, the faithful are relieved of their obligation to attend Mass until we resume public liturgies.