Archdiocese of Nassau (revised) Guidelines on Coronavirus
(COVID -19) - March 18, 2020
From the Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G.
Archbishop of Nassau
Beloved in Christ,
With a number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our community and a state of emergency in effect, we must now revise our Archdiocesan Guidelines accordingly.
Effective immediately all public celebrations of the Mass in the Archdiocese of Nassau are cancelled.
Given these extraordinary circumstances I hereby dispense the faithful of the Archdiocese of Nassau from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice.
Priests of the Archdiocese may celebrate private Mass without a congregation for the intentions of the faithful.
Sunday Mass will be live streamed at 9:00 a.m. on our Archdiocesan Facebook Page (Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nassau - Facebook) and the YouTube link which is archdioceseofnassau.org\live
Daily and Sunday Mass are broadcast on EWTN (channel 657) at 8:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.
During times when the faithful are unable to receive the Eucharist physically, the Church provides for and invites all to make an Act of Spiritual Communion using the following prayer:
My Jesus, I believe that you are really present in the Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things and I hunger to receive you. Since I cannot receive Communion at this moment, feed my soul at least spiritually. I unite myself wholly to you now as I do when I actually receive you. Permit me never to be separated from you. Amen.
This prayer may be recited at Communion time while sharing in the Mass via a media platform.
Churches throughout the Archdiocese are to remain open during the day so that the faithful may enter for private prayer and private devotion. The rules of social distancing should be observed such that each person remains six feet from the next person.
On Sundays the Blessed Sacrament is to be made available for private Eucharistic Adoration. A convenient and safe means for persons to make their weekly offering should be made available.
Stations of the Cross and Communal celebrations of the Sacrament of Reconciliation are cancelled during this period.
Given the cancellation of all public celebration of the Mass, there are to be no Funeral Masses during this time. The Rite of Committal is to take place with the immediate family at the cemetery. Funeral Masses may be celebrated at a later date.
All Archdiocesan meetings are cancelled.
All Religious Education and CCD Classes are cancelled.
All gatherings and group meetings on Archdiocesan properties such as Loyola Hall, Emmaus Center and in Parish Halls are to be cancelled immediately.
All group retreats for Youth, Young Adults, the Elderly and all such group activities are cancelled.
These guidelines are intended to promote public health and the common good by preventing the spread of this most harmful virus. As conditions change these guidelines will be modified accordingly.
Let us pray for those who have been infected that they be restored to full health.
Let us pray for the protection of all healthcare providers that they be protected as they seek to care for the sick.
Let us pray that our nation may be protected in this time of crisis.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Patrick C. Pinder, S.T.D., C.M.G., K.C.*H.S.
Archbishop of Nassau
Please visit the Archdiocese website for more information...