Annunciation of the Lord
March 25, 2020
My Dear People,
I am grateful to our Clergy, as well as our diocesan and parish staff and to all the people of our Diocese who are working together. It is clear that our response to this coronavirus certainly brings out the best in people. We are blessed with such dedicated people who continue to minister to the people of our Diocese.
Following a Decree issued on March 19 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Father Conrad Edwards, Chair of our Diocesan Liturgical Commission has assisted in the preparation of an update to our Pastors concerning Holy Week. We will postpone the Mass of Chrism but the Easter Triduum cannot be postponed. Pastors will celebrate Holy Week privately since we still cannot offer any public Masses and liturgies during this time.
Cathy Farrow, our Managing Director / Diocesan Financial Administrator has been in communication with other Financial Administrators from across the Atlantic Provinces. She has prepared a document to inform and assist our Pastors with financial impacts given the provincial state of emergency regulations.
It is clear that we need to stay home following the directives and guidelines of the Premier and the Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health, as well all official advisories from our federal and provincial governments.
While respecting the law and encouraging people not to gather, we are witnessing some novel ways to minister to people. We are so fortunate to have a Diocesan Mass for Shut Ins, those who are homebound. CTV has been hosting this Mass for 57 years now and currently Father Patrick O’Neil is the Director. We are likewise fortunate to participate in the National Catholic Broadcasting Council’s Daily and Sunday Televised Mass offered through Salt & Light which is now offered free until May 1st on all Canadian cable networks. A number of our parishes are also celebrating Mass through social media. Parishes are using creative ways to connect with the vulnerable to ensure that no one is completely isolated and alone. At various times, Pope Francis has asked us to offer prayers at the same time throughout the world.
This Season of Lent has been a world-wide time of Penance but we remain strong and determined through our common prayer. As a people of faith with the help of the Holy Spirit we will get through this together.
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
Diocese of Antigonish
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From Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
March 17th, 2020
My dear people,
In facing the most serious health concerns of recent memory we are indeed living in troubled times but “Do not be afraid”. We are not dealing with an unexpected tsunami but rather more with the rising waters of the coronavirus which threaten to overwhelm us and our well being if we do not take appropriate measures. We need to flatten the wave and help slow the spread of this coronavirus called Covid-19. If we have been following the news, we know the situation is very fluid with different rules across the country on different timetables. There have been a patchwork of policies and restrictions which seem to be changing on a daily basis with so many people looking for direction and reassurance.
What are we to do amid this turmoil?
We are all concerned about the most vulnerable, given their age and health concerns and this includes our clergy. The medical advice we receive is to avoid gathering in large groups. We do not want to overwhelm our health care system and so we must take all pre-cautions necessary.
We will follow the directives and guidelines of Nova Scotia Chief Medical Officer of Health. We will heed all official advisories, including the latest guidance from federal and provincial governments.
For this reason, as Diocesan Bishop, after having consulted our Council of Priests and College of Consultors and the Bishops of Atlantic Canada, I am directing that all Sunday and Weekday Masses be cancelled effective immediately until further notice. We cannot put a time frame on when the situation will improve.
I ask each Pastor to celebrate privately Sunday Mass for intentions of their people. I hereby dispense the faithful from the obligation to participate in the Sunday Mass until we are able to again assemble for the Lord’s Day in accord with directives from our health officials. Daily televised Mass is offered as an alternative, as the faithful gather to pray in their homes. Particular care should be given to ensure that the vulnerable are not alone. Parishes may explore creative ways to connect with the vulnerable through phone calls and visits where appropriate.
I do not believe it is prudent to keep our churches open since visitation by unknown people especially the ill and the vulnerable may also cause unnecessary risk of exposure since the churches are not cleaned daily. All parish and diocesan meetings, events, celebrations, catechetical formation programmes and any other activities in the coming weeks should be cancelled until further notice.
In compliance with federal and provincial health directives regarding the size of the crowd and personal distance between individuals, I direct the following:
- Baptisms may be celebrated privately with just immediate family members present.
- Weddings may be celebrated privately outside of Mass with just immediate family members present.
- Funerals may be celebrated privately outside of Mass with just immediate family members present. There should be no public receptions permitted at the church during this time.
- Mindful of good hygiene and hand washing, pastors are encouraged to reach out to the sick and elderly to ensure they receive the Sacrament of the Sick and pastoral care as needed.
- The Sacrament of Penance may be celebrated at any time as scheduled or when the pastor is available.
- Later on, we will address the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation with the Pastors. We continue to pray together for those affected by this coronavirus as well as all healthcare providers, caregivers and researchers. We pray especially to St. Joseph who is the patron saint and protector of the universal Church and the principal patron saint of Canada.
Life will be different for a while from the way we live and especially not being able to worship in our churches, such challenging days actually brings out the best in people. We will weather this storm through our common prayer and by working together. “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
(Most Rev.) Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bishop of Antigonish
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From Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
March 13, 2020
While our area is considered a low risk for the spread of the coronavirus, we should not be complacent. The province has recommended that public gatherings be less than 150 people and that anyone travelling from outside Canada should self-isolate for 14 days. We all need to be proactive and take responsible measures.
I invite all parishes to adopt the following measures:
o Remove the Holy Water from the fonts.
o Refrain from shaking hands at the Sign of Peace.
o Refrain from distribution of Holy Communion from the Chalice to all people including lay ministers.
o People should also be encouraged to receive Holy Communion in their hand and not on the tongue.
Remind your people that they are excused from their Sunday obligation of attending Mass if they are unwell. This same principle applies to anyone with underlying medical conditions or compromised health issues who may be more vulnerable to illness if exposed to any virus.
Everyone is urged to practice good hygiene with proper hand-washing and sneezing or coughing into your sleeve and not your hands. Avoid touching your face. Avoid unnecessary contact with those who are ill.
While we continue to monitor the situation, and being attentive to the direction of our health care officials, we are not recommending any changes to the Mass schedules at this time.
We continue to pray for those affected by this coronavirus as well as all healthcare providers, caregivers and researchers.
Sincerely in Christ,
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bishop of Antigonish
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March 6, 2020
PASTORAL NOTE REGARDING CORONAVIRUS
As you are aware, active cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) worldwide have led to some understandable concern among the faithful. As the local headlines indicate, testing is happening daily in Nova Scotia, but there are no positive caseshere. As a local Church our goal is to act responsibly, based on credible information from reliable sources.
There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs. Take these everyday steps to reduce exposure to the virus and protect your health:
- wash your hands often with soap and water
- sneeze and cough into your sleeve
- avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth
- avoid contact with people who are sick
- stay home if you are sick
Regarding liturgical practices, local health officials have not indicated that it is necessary to alter current practices at this time. We can remind our people that receiving from the Cup is optional. Parishes are encouraged to use the above information to remind parishioners about the importance of practicing healthy hygiene. Parishes should ensure that those distributing communion wash their hands before and after the distribution of communion (if you are able). As we know exchanging a sign of peace may be done without shaking hands.
Please continue to pray for all those impacted by the coronavirus. Be assured that we will continue to monitor the situation as well as the advise of local health officials and keep you updated as appropriate.
Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick
Bishop of Antigonish
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An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Dearest Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot, at this moment, receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.
Government updates re Covid-19:
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