When public Masses in the Archdiocese of Washington were suspended in efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Father Scott Holmer, pastor at St. Edward the Confessor Parish in Bowie, Maryland, got creative about bringing the sacraments to his local community.
The coronavirus has canceled all levels of sports nationwide in an effort to contain the pandemic.
Emanuele Alaimo couldn’t predict that in the middle of Lent, a pandemic was going to impact his Brooklyn-based small business. He said the economic effects of coronavirus are just getting started.
During hard times, we can ask for the intercession of saints to help us to reach God and receive His grace. In moments of danger, His healing power can help people of faith find relief.
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.
At Holy Family Church in Fresh Meadows, Queens, nearly 70 parishioners worshiped at the March 15 noon Mass, which is about half the normal attendance. In a sense, it was a regular Sunday Mass, but it was also unusual.
On Thursday, March 12, within a five-minute span, I received three big pieces of news: my youngest son’s school was going to close due to a coronavirus case in the district; the Archdiocese of New York was closing its schools to avoid spreading the virus; and the New York Philharmonic decided to cancel all its performances for a week.
The Diocese of Brooklyn has learned of seven confirmed cases of coronavirus at two Queens parishes.
As many of the restrictions imposed early on by Italy to fight the COVID-19 coronavirus begin to be adopted elsewhere, the number of Catholics unable to get to Mass, or at least strongly discouraged from leaving the house to do so, is growing.
The Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, Michael J. Deegan, has announced that the archdiocese will close all elementary schools, effective Monday, March 16 until Friday, March 20.
