GOING GREEN!
As you surely know, we joined with other counties in southeastern Pennsylvania on Friday in moving to the Green Phase. More businesses are allowed to open and more industries are allowed to resume operations as we slowly and carefully emerge from a near-total lockdown required to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The only difference for churches and other houses of worship, however, is that we are now allowed 75% occupancy rather than 50% occupancy, as was allowed during the Yellow Phase. Maintaining a 6’ distance between those of different households continues [...]
SKS Plans to Reopen June 6
I’m sure you have all heard the wonderful news! Archbishop Pérez has announced that parishes of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia will be able to resume public Masses next weekend – that is 6 - 7 June – if the state government moves our region into the Yellow Phase, as is expected, on 5 June. I look forward to welcoming you back! In the midst of the wind and waves of this coronavirus pandemic, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus as we make our way back to celebration [...]
STATEMENT FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE REGARDING THE PROJECTED RESUMPTION OF THE PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS IN THE FIVE-COUNTY REGION
22 May 2020 Update: In mid-March, the celebration of public Mass was suspended in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the obligation for the faithful to attend Mass was dispensed. Those decisions were not made lightly and were always intended to be temporary measures. They were made out of necessity for the common good and in recognition of the fact that all of us share a responsibility for the preservation of public health, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this unprecedented time, the Archdiocese has made [...]
New liturgical directives and guidelines – updated 24 March
On 24 March, all priests throughout the archdiocese received updated liturgical directives and guidelines in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. First and foremost, these directives called for churches to remain open and available for the faithful to pray, and especially to visit the Most Blessed Sacrament at a time when they are unable to receive our Lord in Holy Communion. This is to be done in a manner that respects and follows current guidelines from governmental agencies concerning crowd sizes and gatherings. Exposition is also possible during this period. [...]
Pastoral Messages from Archbishop Pérez/Links to Videos for Sharing Broadly in Your Parish Communities
Dear Brother Priests and Deacons, The pastoral and temporal response of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve as this public health matter develops. During these uncertain and anxious times, all of us remain committed to fulfilling the mission of the Church through her various ministries and I know much has been asked of you in recent days. Yesterday afternoon, Archbishop Pérez recorded pastoral messages for the people of the Archdiocese (English and Spanish), for all Church employees, and for the young people in [...]
New Directives and Guidelines in Response to Covid-19
Message from Archbishop Nelson J. Perez On Tuesday, 17 March, all parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Philadelphia received the following two announcements: ARCHBISHOP NELSON J. PÉREZ ANNOUNCES THE SUSPENSION OF ALL PUBLIC MASSES IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA EFFECTIVE AT NOON MARCH 18 UPDATED DIRECTIVES IN RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS OFFICE FOR DIVINE WORSHIP Statements from Abp Perez and the Office of Divine Worship Message from Monsignor Brouwers In response to these new directives and guidelines, allow me to offer some suggestions: [...]