“The Mass is ended. Go in peace.” I have to admit that when I was a child, I used to find our response to the dismissal, “Thanks be to God!” a little funny.
Tag: Mass
Becket Fund assists 40 Dane County Catholic sites to open at 25 percent capacity
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MADISON — For three months now, the Diocese of Madison has followed the best of state and local guidelines with regard to all reasonable protocols concerning COVID-19, its transmission, and how to protect the public, especially those most vulnerable.
At the same time, and never dismissively, the Church has looked to how best to provide for the spiritual, and especially the sacramental, nourishment of the faithful. This has been a particular weight on the heart of Bishop Donald J. Hying since suspending public Masses in mid-March.
After the Wisconsin State Supreme Court reversed state-wide orders and restrictions, the diocese quickly began planning for its own very-measured reopening.
On Thursday, May 21, the Diocese of Madison shared its guidelines for parish reopening at 25 percent occupancy across the 11-county diocese. These guidelines take everything into account from social distancing, personal sanitation, omission of singing, removal of furniture and hymnals, training of ushers, and so much more.
How can we keep from singing?
There is a lot of excitement among many people regarding re-opening our Catholic churches for Mass in our diocese. Unfortunately, it will be quieter than usual.
Using the best scientific, medical, musical, and liturgical advice, choirs and congregations will not sing until further notice in the Diocese of Madison (and in most dioceses across the USA).
I have to say, that’s a sentence I never thought I’d write! I have been a singer, choir director, and church musician for my entire adult life. I’ve given many workshops and written numerous articles on the importance of music in the Mass.
Risk of passing on the virus
Even so, research is showing that singing raises the risk of passing on the coronavirus and for that reason, it’s the proper response of the Church at this time.
UPDATE: Officials modify public health orders allowing more people to attend Masses
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The following is a statement from Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison regarding today’s (June 5) decision by officials to modify public health orders.
“We are pleased that the County and the City have ended the unequal 50-person cap on religious gatherings. As bishop, it is my duty to ensure that Sunday Mass be available as widely as possible to the Catholic faithful, while following best practices when it comes to public health. Indeed, in a time of deep division, it is more important than ever for the Church to provide solace and comfort to all, in the great tradition of American religious freedom. We look forward to working together with the County and City to continue the reopening process in a safe, cooperative, and responsible manner.”
Click HERE to read the joint release from Public Health Madison & Dane County, City of Madison, and Dane County.
Catholic churches in Diocese of Madison to reopen at 25 percent capacity Pentecost weekend
MADISON — The weekend of Pentecost (May 30 to 31), Catholic churches throughout the 11-county Diocese of Madison will resume public Masses, limited to 25 percent of each church’s occupancy capacity, with adequate social distancing, and numerous safeguards in place.
More parishes offer livestream Masses
Following is information on additional livestreaming Masses offered by parishes in the Diocese of Madison.
Memorial Masses in Stoughton
St. Ann Parish in Stoughton will have a recorded Memorial Day Mass that will be shown on Monday, May, 25. It can be seen on the St. Ann Parish YouTube channel called “St. Ann Catholic Parish, Stoughton” or the parish Facebook page called “St. Ann Catholic Parish, Stoughton”.
Diocese of Madison to roll out reopening plan early next week
MADISON — With the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling of May 13, which overturned Governor Tony Evers’ state-wide Emergency Order #28, i.e., the “Safer at Home” Order, Most Reverend Donald Hying, Bishop of Madison offered the following brief statement:
“I certainly appreciate the exception added to the Public Health Madison and Dane County Order of May 13th, which while continuing to list religious entities as ‘Essential Businesses and Operations’, also allows for more reasonably-sized congregations for public worship while maintaining appropriate health-related safeguards, and I look forward to seeing this exception for religious entities being adopted in our other ten counties in the Diocese of Madison, and hopefully statewide in any possible future state order.
More parishes offer livestream Masses, services
Following is information on additional livestreaming Masses and other services offered by parishes in the Diocese of Madison.
Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, Sun Prairie. Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary offers the following:
1) Livestreamed Masses on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 10 a.m. on Facebook.
2) Daily homily posted on Facebook and daily Masses recorded and posted on website and YouTube.
Parishes offer livestream Masses and other services
Following is information on some of the livestreaming Masses and Rosaries offered by parishes in the Diocese of Madison.
Cathedral Parish, Madison: The Cathedral Parish invites people to join them in prayer online. Each weekday, Monday through Friday, Msgr. Kevin Holmes, rector, leads the Rosary in a livestream from the rectory at 12:15 p.m. Sunday Mass at 11 a.m. is also livestreamed from the Cathedral Parish at St. Raphael Church. Visit the cathedral Facebook page to join in these moments of prayer (@CathedralParishMadison). Note people can view the public posts on the page even if they don’t have a Facebook account.