As we are all aware, the 3rd commandment, for Catholics, means that we attend Sunday Mass every week (as well as Holy Days of Obligation throughout the year) unless there are extenuating circumstances. Now that so much of life is returning the normal, Bishop Gainer has announced the joyful return to the celebration of Sunday Eucharist with thanksgiving and renewed faith.
All bishops of the dioceses of Pennsylvania are lifting the dispensation from the obligation of attending Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days beginning Sunday, August 15, 2021, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With the impact of the pandemic considerably reduced, it is possible for the faithful to assemble again for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, especially as we have gotten back into so many other socially based activities of daily life.
As Bishop Gainer stated in his recent letter, “The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days arises from our Baptism which compels us to unite ourselves with Christ at the altar in His saving Sacrifice of the Cross (Code of Canon Law, canon 1247).” The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that participating in Sunday worship at Mass “is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and to his Church (# 2182).”
Bishop Gainer also adds the following: “As is always the case, this obligation does not apply to those who are seriously ill, who have a serious health risk, such as those receiving therapies that suppress immunity, as well as those who have serious anxiety because of large groups. Likewise, the obligation does not apply to those who care for loved ones who cannot attend Mass in person (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2181). Whenever legitimately excused from Mass on Sundays and Holy Days, you are urged to spend time in prayer, meditating on the Death and Resurrection of the Lord, reading the Sacred Scriptures, and uniting yourself to Christ in His worship of the Father of us all. Also, you are encouraged to view a broadcast of the Mass.”
Here at Saint Joseph we will continue to offer the outdoor “Gazebo Mass,” as long as we still have permission to do this from Bishop Gainer, on Saturdays at 4:00 PM and Sundays at 9:45 AM (except when we don’t have 2 priests available to celebrate these Masses simultaneously with the Church Mass at the same time). We will continue to livestream the 9:45 AM Church Mass each week.
We have been blessed in so many ways as God has seen us through the pandemic. What better way to offer our thanks to God (the literal meaning of the word “Eucharist” in its Greek form) than by gathering with the rest of our family of faith to be fed in so many ways, and to worship, our loving God.
We are also looking forward to getting back into the regular routine of parish activities, both on campus and offcampus. Please continue to be patient as we recover the rhythm of parish life. We are so blessed to be part of Saint Joseph Parish!
Good-bye (sort of!) to Deacon Smith
This is the last day of Deacon Smith’s summer assignment. He has been a great addition to our parish staff. As he is returning to Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD for his last year of seminary formation, we will still see him a few times before his ordination to the Priesthood. Deacon Smith will be ministering here just about every other weekend once school starts, and we’ll continue to see him here at our parish. Please keep him in your daily prayers as he looks forward to his priestly ordination.