Church and Covid

Effective September 19, 2020, the Government of Ontario  issued new gathering limits.

These limits specifically 
DO NOT apply to:

• Religious Services
• Rites
• Ceremonies
• Weddings
• Funerals 

I know you are praying with fervour for divine intervention in this crisis. We are united in Christ when we pray, together or alone, in His name. May I encourage us all together to make an extra effort to implore God’s providential intervention in this time of trial. 

Thank you for your efforts and let us all continue to strive to be people who demonstrate the difference our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ makes in our lives by how we are His hands, feet and, voice in our community. I know we believe this moment in our history is a time for Catholic Christians to shine as “a light to the nations” and the “yeast that leavens” the bread of community life.

Excerpts form Archbishop Prendergast's Letter of Encouragement to the Faithful 
March 19, 2020

Churches Open
Our churches in the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall are now open up for Mass, weddings and funerals. However, the maximum capacity is 30 percent and social distancing must be respected. You should contact your parish to confirm the time of Masses as well as the process for attending Mass. 

If you are unable to attend Mass during this ongoing time of pandemic, Archbishop Prendergast grants the faithful dispensation from their Sunday obligation to attend Mass.

Livestream the Mass
Daily TV Mass livestreamed on Salt + Light - Click here
Salt + Light Media is pleased to provide its viewers the Daily TV Mass produced by the National Catholic BroadcastingCouncil four times a day at 6:30 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm and 10:30 pm (all times Eastern Standard Time).

St. Francis de Sales with Msgr. Kevin Maloney
Go to his Facebook Page (Kevin Maloney). The livestream generally begins at about 9:25 a.m. every Sunday.

St. Andrew's with Fr. Louis Groetelaars
Go to his Facebook Page (Fr-Louis Groetelaars). He livestreams his daily Mass at 

Church Offices Open
Church offices are now open. Please contact your parish to confirm new office hours and procedures.

The Sacraments
The Eucharist
As indicated above, our churches are now open, please contact your parish for details.

Sacrament of Reconciliation
You can now go to confession. Please contact your parish to confirm hours or to make an appointment with your priest.

Collections
Like so many other organizations, our parishes have suffered financially (bills and salaries still have to be paid during this time). Please consider making your weekly contribution whether or not you have been able to return to Mass. Please contact your parish to find out the best way to make your donation.

Baptisms
Following the rules set out by the local health unit (masks, 30% capacity and social distancing) most parishes are performing baptisms by appointment.

Weddings
Weddings are permitted at 30 percent capacity, with masks and social distancing. If you wish to postpone your wedding please contact your parish priest.

Funerals
Funerals are permitted in the church subject to regulations set out by the relavant health unit. Please note that the rules may vary from region to region.

Funerals are permitted in funeral homes. Please speak to the funeral director who will provide you with the relevant rules.

Celebration of the Sacrements for Our Children
As you are aware, our students were forced to forego receiving the sacraments this past spring including:

• First Reconcilliation
• Confirmation
• First Communion

The situation for our churches remains fluid and for this reason we are still working on plans for students to receive the various sacrements - both last year's group and this year's group. Your parish and/or school should shortly have information about when the sacraments will be administered.