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
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:
Weekly Update from Bishop Daly - May 20, 2020 from Catholic Diocese of Spokane on Vimeo.
May 6th Update - Our Faith is EssentialUpdate 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.