ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BISHOP CROSBY
On Monday, June 8, 2020, Premier Ford announced the re-opening of places of worship in the Province of Ontario in accord with the current directives of the health authorities, effective June 12, 2020. The Premier further noted that there will be a capacity restriction (30%) during this initial phase of re-opening our Parish churches.
In order to ensure that all of our churches are prepared to open for personal prayer and for Mass, and that all the requirements for health and safety are in place, churches in the Diocese of Hamilton can be open beginning on Tuesday, June 16th for personal prayer and weekday Mass. They can be open beginning on Saturday, June 20th for the celebration of Sunday Masses. Pastors and their teams are presently preparing the churches to welcome parishioners. They are cleaning, and setting up seating and floor markings to ensure physical distancing, and installing sanitizers and signage to provide, as much as possible, a safe environment for all who gather in our churches for worship.
We look forward to this first step in returning to the celebration of Mass and the Sacraments. While we recognize that not all will be able to enter our churches at this time because of the capacity restrictions, or due to personal health concerns, or out of fear, we continue to pray for one another. For the time being, the obligation to participate at Sunday Mass is suspended. Thank you for your patience during these difficult times and for your support to the Pastors and Parishes.
I appeal to all the faithful of the Diocese of Hamilton, to observe the directives of our health authorities and patiently observe the temporary changes in the way we celebrate the liturgy during this phase of re-opening our churches.
(Most Rev.) Douglas Crosby, OMI
Bishop of Hamilton
June 10, 2020
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