Tag: covid

On
Brent King Director of Communications, Diocese of Madison

Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ amid COVID-19; the Diocese of Madison nine months in

Coat of Arms

MADISON — This week marks nine months that we as the local Church have been struggling, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to continue to proclaim the Gospel and the good news of salvation, only made possible through Our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection.

While so much of our daily life has been altered, the need for the Church and Our Lord’s graces through the sacraments made available through Her have only become more crucial. Even in a pandemic, we are still called to Go Make Disciples and grow in our holiness.

Specific to keeping the Sunday Mass obligation

As the number of cases, hospitalizations, and sadly, the number of deaths due to COVID-19 continue to increase, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison reminded us last week in one of his daily videos that those vulnerable or at risk, and those who work or live with those at risk, should “take advantage of the generous dispensations that are written into Canon Law.”

You are likely already dispensed from your Sunday obligation, if you are older, immuno-compromised, live or work with someone who is, or are subject to other COVID-related situations.

Read More
On
Bishop Donald J. Hying

Why attending Mass is important

Recently, the Catholic bishops of Wisconsin jointly decided to lift the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligation in all five dioceses in the Province during the month of September.

So, beginning the weekend of September 26 to 27, it will be once again obligatory for Catholics in our diocese to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.

I lifted the obligation six months ago, beginning on March 17 in the very beginning of the COVID pandemic.

These months have been long and difficult; the inability to go to Mass and receive the Eucharist has been a great hardship, but I made that decision out of concern for the public health and in union with my brother bishops in the state and the country.

Read More
On
Angela Curio, Catholic Herald Staff

Zoom Ministry: caring for our youth online

MADISON — “Hey, J. Gregory!” said a teen over the video conferencing platform Zoom. “Don’t you own a pair of scissors?”

Jaymes Gregory Curran, the youth director of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Madison, certainly wouldn’t have envisioned sitting in his parish’s empty youth room talking over Zoom a few months ago.

“I’d heard of Zoom before the pandemic hit,” he said. “But I have never been a fan of FaceTime, Skype, or other similar apps.”

Read More
On
Kevin Wondrash

Bishop Donald Hying temporarily lifts obligation to attend Sunday Mass

To diminish the spread of the COVID-19 virus, or the Coronavirus, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison is issuing a decree, dispensing everyone in the Diocese of Madison from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation until further notice from the bishop.

This means that all Catholics are permitted to miss Mass on Sundays for the foreseeable future, without being concerned that they are neglecting their minimal duties to assist at Mass.

In a statement, Bishop Hying said, “This is not to say that the faithful are prohibited from attending Mass — no one is obligated to use this dispensation. However, it is encouraged that everyone takes seriously this dispensation and take liberal advantage of it, keeping in mind also the recommendation from the Wisconsin Department of Health to avoid large community gatherings — particularly large intergenerational gatherings — at this time. In a particular way, we encourage the elderly and those who are immunocompromised not to attend Mass.

Read More