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October 2nd, 2020Read More
As members of the one Body of Christ, we must be united and steadfast in our worship of God, the proclamation of the Gospel, and love of our neighbor. This holds true both in times of relative stability and of great disruption – as we have experienced these past eight months under the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the overarching goal of the salvation of souls, I promulgate these guidelines to promote our essential tasks of the celebration of the sacraments, prayer, and the teaching of the Faith while preserving them from unnecessary disruption brought about by the virus. Furthermore, our actions can contribute to the common good of the broader community, thus manifesting our love of neighbor to a world hungering for the mercy of God.
Notwithstanding our fatigue with the current situation, the best available scientific information continues to indicate that the coronavirus is significantly more dangerous than the seasonal flu. It is both more contagious and fatal than influenza. It stands to reason that we abide by measured, heightened precautions in response to these elevated risks.
Our precautions thus far have proven effective. To date, there have been no instances of COVID-19 transmission, let alone outbreaks, associated with the celebration of public Masses in our diocese. In fact, there is nation-wide evidence that churches following reasonable safety guidelines have not seen any COVID-19 spread, even in cases when individuals unwittingly attended Mass while infectious. Nevertheless, we must remember that coronavirus is capable of spreading quickly in church settings in the absence of safety protocols.iv I therefore thank you for your contribution to our responsible and safe return to more active parish life, and I encourage you to patience and perseverance.
These guidelines pertain to sacramental, spiritual, and catechetical activities proper to the parish. This includes the celebration of public Mass, occasions of communal and private prayer, and the holding of religious study classes. Catholic schools should observe the more specific guidelines provided them by the Office of Education.
(Full Guidelines available by clicking on the title)
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Announcement from Bishop Daly - Reopening of Masses - May 27, 2020 from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
Guidelines for Reopening can be found here: Diocesan Guidelines for Reopening - May 27, 2020.pdf
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Update from Bishop Daly - May 22, 2020May 22, 2020
A note from Bishop Daly to the clergy and lay faithful of the Diocese of Spokane:
A short while ago, President Trump made an unexpected announcement in which he called for religious services to be considered essential. He also indicated that churches should be open this weekend for worship. While the President’s sentiments are welcome to many people of faith, the reality is that it is Friday. Implementing parish safety plans by tomorrow is unrealistic. I have asked our pastors to maintain the status quo for the next few days and I hope to provide further direction by Tuesday.
I will continue consulting with local health experts and the bishops of Washington State as the final adjustments are made to our plan which will allow us to worship in a responsible manner.
We are close to reopening, please continue to be patient.Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
In Christ,
Bishop Thomas Daly
Update from Bishop Daly - May 2, 2020
Bishop Daly sent an update to the priests of the diocese, the salient points of the letter are as follows:- Governor Inslee has extended the stay-at-home order through May 31st.
- All COVID-19 protocols previously announced for the Diocese of Spokane remain in force.
- The governor’s four phased plan for lifting the stay-at-home order may allow for some gradual implementation by the middle of this month. This would allow for drive-in Masses and confessions. A plan for what that would look like in parishes is being developed in consultation with local health officials. The hope is to release that plan within the next two weeks.
- Tomorrow is the celebration of Good Shepherd Sunday. At 2:00 p.m., Bishop Daly will be live-streaming a Holy Hour for Vocations at the Cathedral. The livestream can be found on the Cathedral's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OLLCathedral/live) or embedded on the Cathedral website (www.SpokaneCathedral.com/live). Please join in if you are able.
- Bishop asks for continued prayer through the intercession of Our Lady of Lourdes and Saint Jean Gabriel Perboyre.
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Previous Video Updates From Holy Week and the Easter SeasonWeekly Update - May 20, 2020
Weekly Update from Bishop Daly - May 20, 2020 from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
May 6th Update - Our Faith is Essential
Update from Bishop Daly: Our Faith is Essential from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
Update from Bishop Daly - April 22 from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
Synopsis of Video:
Bishop Daly shared the sad experience of celebrating Mass in an empty cathedral but is thankful he could be with parishioners by livestream. He shared that the bishops of Northwest meet weekly by phone to consult and work on plans for reopening parish life. Bishop Daly is looking forward to the reopening of sacramental life and is committed to ensuring that "the celebration of the sacraments will be done in a dignified manner that is available to all the faithful, not just a select few." Bishop closed the video by encouraging people to grow in prayer at home.
Bishop Daly's Easter Message 2020 from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
Holy Week Message from Bishop Daly from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
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Updates - March 25, 2020
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Mass Suspended - March 17, 2020
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General Dispensation - March 15, 2020
Date: March 15, 2020
To: All the Faithful of the Diocese of Spokane
From: Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly – Bishop of Spokane
Re: Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass
Following the announcement of the presence of COVID-19 here in eastern Washington, I am extending the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass I gave on March 13 to now include all the Catholic Faithful of the Diocese of Spokane through the weekend of March 28/29. This dispensation also applies to those of any age who may be traveling to other places, and to those visiting in the Diocese of Spokane.
Those members of the faithful who do not attend Sunday Mass should devote some time to prayer on the Lord’s Day, either alone or as a family. I especially recommend reading and reflecting upon the Gospel texts proclaimed on the upcoming Sundays. Those who take advantage of this dispensation are also encouraged to make the following spiritual communion:
My 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.
Amen.
Please join me in prayer and sacrifice that this evil which is spreading throughout our world would be crushed. Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.
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March 13, 2020 Memorandum from Bishop Daly
Date: March 13, 2020
To: All the Faithful of the Diocese of Spokane
From: Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly – Bishop of Spokane
Re: Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass for Those 60 Years and Older.
Following the emergency declaration issued by Washington State Governor Jay Inslee, the Archdiocese of Seattle has suspended the public celebration of all Masses. Archbishop Etienne has made this decision in light of the presence of COVID-19 in western Washington.
Currently, the impact of this pandemic does not seem to be as grave here in eastern Washington which is why Mass will continue to be offered throughout the Diocese of Spokane. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.”
In light of this deadly outbreak, I want to increase our vigilance so as to protect the health and well-being of our community. Evidence suggests that people who are 60 years and older are at a higher risk of getting severe COVID-19 disease. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, I am issuing the following dispensation: In accord with the authority granted to the diocesan bishop by the Code of Canon Law (canons 87§1 and 1245), I hereby dispense the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Spokane who are age 60 and older from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the weekends of March 14-15, March 21-22 and March 28-29 of this year. This dispensation also applies to those 60 and older who may be traveling in other places, and to those visiting in the Diocese of Spokane. I remind Catholics of any age that you are not obliged to participate in Mass when you are ill. Those who care for the sick are also not bound by the precept of Sunday Mass. You do not need the pastor’s permission or dispensation.
Those members of the faithful who do not attend Mass on these weekends should devote some time to prayer on the Lord’s Day, either alone or as a family. I especially recommend that you read and reflect upon the Gospel texts proclaimed on the 3 rd (John 4, 5-42) 4 th (John 9, 1-41) and 5 th (John 11, 1-45) Sundays of Lent. These faithful are also encouraged to make the following spiritual communion:
My 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.
Amen. -
March 12 Update- Masses will continue.
- Keep good hygiene practices as indicated in previous diocesan statements.
- If you are sick or in a high risk group and concerned please stay home. You are dispensed from your obligation.
- Follow directions of local authorities.
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Official Statement - March 4, 2020
Official Statement by Bishop Thomas A. Daly
Coronavirus Outbreak
Washington State is quickly becoming ground zero for the number of coronavirus infections with several individuals dying from the disease. Genetic analysis of these cases has led officials to suspect that the disease was circulating for up to six weeks before first detected. Although it is likely the infection will continue to spread, experts still indicate the risk of this new virus to the general public remains low. Vigilance is nonetheless warranted.
I am in contact with local health care officials regarding proper prevention and precautions. Our Director of Catholic Schools, Katie Rieckers, is meeting with our principals to formulate a common prevention and potential response plan. She is doing this in consultation with the Spokane Regional Health District.
Out of an abundance of caution, I am encouraging our pastors to implement the following protocol effective immediately:
- Suspend the Sign of Peace during Mass.
- Refrain from distributing the Precious Blood at Mass. This might also provide a catechetical opportunity to remind the faithful that reception of the Sacred Host is indeed reception of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Christ.
- Drain holy water fonts in the church or provide for frequent cleaning. If the font is dry, encourage parishioners to make the sign of the cross upon entering and exiting the Church.
- Consider providing hand sanitizer dispensers at the doors to the church and require all Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to thoroughly wash their hands before Mass.
- If parishioners feel sick, they should be encouraged to stay home and not to attend Mass.
- Encourage people to practice common sense hygiene practices.
- Provide parishioners with additional information from the government by logging on to the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention-treatment.html
This protocol will remain in place until Holy Week at which time it will be evaluated according to status of the outbreak. A diocesan update will be released before Easter.
Please pray for those who are ill and those who have lost their lives to this disease. Thank you.
March 5th update to clergy:
The bishop held a meeting today with local health experts, the vicars, school and other diocesan leaders. The health professionals offered the latest information and have also reviewed our protocol in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Following this meeting, the bishop would like to make the following adjustments to the protocol previously sent out.
- Please empty your holy water fonts.
- In addition to refraining from the Sign of Peace, remind people not to hold hands during the Our Father (where that is happening).
- Consider encouraging parishioners to receive Holy Communion in the hand. Receiving in the hand carries a risk of infection, but there is an increased danger of transmitting this virus through droplets in the mouth.
- Encourage your communities to remain calm. Health care officials are concerned about unnecessary anxiety.
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Word on Fire - COVID-19 eBook
What's next for the church?
Find out in this FREE eBook by Dr. Stephen Bullivant, with a foreword by Bishop Robert Barron.
Get eBook - Free PDF -
Stella Coeli - A Prayer in Time of PestilenceOne of our pastors found this prayer for in times of pestilence. Not many modern prayer books have prayers in time of plague, but for our ancestors such prayers were needed more often. This Marian prayer against plague is a great example for us of turning to the Lord in uncertain times; He can be counted on even when our future looks uncertain.
Stella Coeli - A Prayer in Time of Pestilence
THE STAR OF HEAVEN that nourished the Lord drove away the plague of death which the first parents of man brought into the world. May this bright Star now vouchsafe to extinguish that foul constellation whose battles have slain the people with the wound of death.
O most pious Star of the Sea,
preserve us from pestilence;
hear us, O Lady,
for Thy Son honours Thee
by denying Thee nothing.
Save us, O Jesus, for whom
Thy Virgin Mother supplicates Thee.
V: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God;
R: That we may be made worthy
of the promises of Christ.
V: Let us pray:
O God of mercy, God of pity, God of benign clemency, Thou Who hast had compassion on the affliction of Thy people, and hast said to the angel striking them, “Stop thy hand;” for the love of this glorious Star, whose breasts Thou didst sweetly drink as antidote for our crimes, grant the assistance of Thy grace, that we may be safely freed from all pestilence and from unprovided death; and mercifully save us from the gulf of eternal perdition: through Thee, Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory, who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
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