Brothers and Sisters,

Please see attached a decree from Cardinal Cupich to the People of God noting, mindful of our current circumstances and Canon law,

1. That the obligation to receive Holy Communion during the Easter season is removed this year due to the impossibility of attendance by the People of God at celebration of Holy Mass.
2. That each of the faithful initiated into the Most Holy Eucharist is encouraged to offer an Act of Spiritual Communion, in union with the entire People of God in the Archdiocese and throughout the world in this time of stress and difficulty.
3. That all of the faithful, in accord with the Tradition and Teaching of the Church, are urged to offer a perfect Act of Contrition, in complete dependence upon the mercy and love of God, in sorrow for all sins and with a firm resolve to confess all serious sin at the next available time.

English-, Polish- and Spanish-language versions of the decree are available - Click language name.

Peace and a Blessed Holy Week to all,

Bishop Ron Hicks

Click Graphic for larger version

Masses:

• WGN TV – Chicago: Sundays at 9:00 am - Check your local listing or visit online: https://www.mercyhome.org/sunday-mass/#local-listings
• EWTN Masses – (Daily and Sunday Masses). Please check your local station or visit online: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/daily-readings
• Vatican Masses with Pope Francis – (Daily and Sunday Masses): http://www.catholictv.org/shows/pope-francis-daily-mass
• Catholic Masses - (Daily and Sunday Masses) Multiple Videos, Resources, and more: http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass
• Mass online: https://mass-online.org/

THE BELLS WILL BE RINGING!

Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago has requested that churches ring their bells beginning, Saturday, March 21st, at 9:00 AM and continue every three hours each day.

The last bells will be rung at 9:00 PM.

Each of the 5 prayer times will be dedicated to a specific group particularly impacted by the pandemic.

Beginning Saturday, March 21st, the prayers and intentions for each hour of prayer are below:

• 9:00 AM - Prayer for those infected with the virus and all who are ill.
• 12:00 PM - Prayer for health care workers and those attending to the sick.
• 3:00 p.m. - Prayer for first responders and essential workers
• 6:00 PM -  Prayer for people of every nation and their leaders.
• 9:00 PM - Prayer for those who have died today.

Governor Pritzker has announced a mandatory shelter-in-place order for the State of Illinois.
What this means for our parishes is that effective 5 p.m. Saturday, March 21 until further notice:

• All churches and adoration chapels must be closed and locked until the order is lifted by the governor. Private prayer in any parish building must be discontinued until the order is lifted.
• There can be no live Stations of the Cross or any other gatherings anywhere on parish/school property, nor can any parish personnel be involved in organizing them on any other site.
• All weddings and baptisms must be postponed and can be re-scheduled only once the order is lifted. There are no exceptions to this, regardless of the size of the group. 
• Funerals and wakes must be postponed until the order is lifted.
• Parish offices must be closed until the governor’s order is lifted - THE STAFF CAN BE CONTACTED VIA EMAIL (contact informaiton is on the front page of the website)

As always, all current guidelines can be found on our dedicated Coronavirus/COVID-19.

Thank you for your continued prayers for and support of one another, and the people of God in this time of suffering for so many.

May God bless and protect you and your loved ones.

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If you are a victim of Bomestic Violence, or you know of someone who is and needs help, please conact one of these numbers. All is confidential.

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• National Dating Abuse Helpine: 866-331-9474

In an emergency, always call 911

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