The Tablet Staff
Following the cancelation of all public Masses, Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has announced new additional guidelines on practicing the faith during the coronavirus outbreak in parishes throughout the Brooklyn Diocese.
“In the days and weeks ahead, let us ask God to watch over the people of our Diocese and all of His people; those who are sick, those who will fall ill, and those who are caring for them,” said Bishop DiMarzio.
In response to a government notice to avoid gatherings of 10 or more, these new guidelines are to be “implemented in the Diocese of Brooklyn effective immediately,” according to a March 18 press release from the diocese.
Earlier this month, the diocese had initially issued guidelines to parishioners to help prevent cases of coronavirus while public Masses were still being celebrated.
However, with the suspension of all public Masses in the diocese until further notice, these new guidelines extend to Holy Week, confirmations, first communions, parish services and other sacraments and activities across Brooklyn and Queens as follows:
PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK SERVICES
- There will be no Masses open to the public on Palm Sunday. Priests throughout Brooklyn and Queens will bless palms and will be asked to leave them on tables in the back of the Church for pickup.
- Reconciliation Monday, a special time devoted to confession at the start of Holy Week, has been canceled. However, Priests will be available for individual confessions throughout the remainder of the Lenten season and during this period of crisis.
- The Chrism Mass will not be celebrated publicly. The Bishop will celebrate the Mass from the Cathedral and the oils will be available for distribution at designated sites around the diocese. Further information will be released at a later date.
- The Mass of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Thursday), the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion (Good Friday) the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, will not be celebrated publicly. A broadcast schedule of the services with no congregation, to air on NET-TV, the cable channel of the Diocese of Brooklyn, will be announced at a later date.
CONFIRMATIONS/FIRST COMMUNIONS
- All Confirmations and Communions have been postponed until May 15, 2020.
MASS INTENTIONS
- All intentions will be satisfied in private Masses.
ANOINTING OF THE SICK
- The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick may be administered to individuals as needed, with Priests visiting those with COVID-19 taking extra precautions.
COMMUNION
- Priests will try to make Communion calls, adhering to necessary health precautions.
PARISH SERVICES
- Parish food pantries may remain open, but those in need are asked to contact their specific parish for schedule and procedural updates.
- Alcoholics Anonymous groups will continue to meet but only with less than 10 people and adhering to the social distancing practice.
- Churches may remain open for silent adoration but in adherence to capacity guidelines.
- All parish meetings and parish events will be canceled.
- Bulletins will be posted on parish websites.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES
- The Diocese of Brooklyn’s administrative offices will be closed to the public due to the Coronavirus beginning Wednesday, March 18, 2020, for an undisclosed amount of time. The diocesan staff will be working remotely. You can reach the Diocese by calling 718-965-7300.
Parishioners can watch the celebration of the Eucharist on NET-TV, the cable channel of the Brooklyn Diocese. NET-TV can be seen in the New York City area on Spectrum (Channel 97), Optimum (Channel 30), and FIOS (Channel 48). Viewers can also tune in online at www.netny.tv.
The Mass schedule is as follows:
Weekdays:
- 8 am Live from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (English)
- 9 am Live from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)
- Noon Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
- 5 pm Replay of the Noon Mass from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
- 6:30 pm Pre-recorded Mass from St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Weekends:
- 6 pm Saturday Vigil Pre-recorded Passionate Mass from Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica (English)
- 11 am Sunday Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
- 1:30 pm Sunday Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)
To read the latest updates regarding coronavirus concerns in the Brooklyn Diocese, go to https://thetablet.org/coronavirus.
Click here to read a statement from the Diocese of Brooklyn regarding new updates.