The Diocese of Brooklyn announced Saturday night that it will cancel all Masses in Brooklyn and Queens after this weekend amid continuing concern about the coronavirus epidemic.

The Office of the Vicar General Office’s statement indicates that all public masses will be cancelled “beginning Monday, March 16th, until further notice.”

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:

• Saturday – 6 pm Vigil Pre-recorded from Immaculate Conception Church in Jamaica (English)
• Sunday – 11 am Live from St. James Cathedral in Downtown Brooklyn (English)
• Sunday – 1:30 pm Pre-recorded from Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph in Prospect Heights (Spanish)

Earlier this week, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio dispensed Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice, as a proactive response to the coronavirus epidemic.

Catholic schools and academies in the Brooklyn Diocese will also be closed from Monday, March 16, to Friday, March 20.

There are already 524 positive cases of COVID-19 in the state of New York, with 154 of those in New York City. The Diocese of Brooklyn’s latest decision comes hours after the first death from the new coronavirus in the state was confirmed. The victim is an 82-year-old woman from Brooklyn.

The Archdiocese of New York also has announced the cancelation of all masses.

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 the cancellation of all public masses in Brooklyn and Queens until further notice: