Bishop Walkowiak issues the following directives for parishes and schools in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, effective at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, March 24, in harmony with Governor Whitmer’s new executive order, 2020-21:
All public Masses and all other liturgical and devotional services through Easter Monday, April 13, in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are canceled. All Catholics within the territory of the Diocese of Grand Rapids are granted a dispensation from their obligation of attending Sunday Mass through April 13. Mass will continued to be live streamed from the cathedral for those who wish to view it. It can be viewed on FOX 17, on the diocesan website and Facebook page.
Further information on the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter will be forthcoming.
Catholics are encouraged to make a spiritual Communion, pray the rosary, or meditate on Sacred Scripture to keep holy the Lord’s Day.
Funerals are to be celebrated without Mass with only immediate family members present, limiting those gathered to 10.
Alternately, a committal service at the cemetery may be celebrated outdoors, with the appropriate social distancing guidelines in place, with a memorial Mass to be celebrated at a later date.
All Catholic Schools in the diocese remain closed in accordance with the Governor’s order. All school buildings will be closed to the public as of 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, March 24.
Essential staff may access the school building to provide food and remote learning programs and distribution with administrator approval.
Individual confession at the parish will remain available during regular scheduled times.
Parish baptisms and weddings through Monday, April 13, are postponed until a later date.
Please contact you pastor in a situation where the death of a loved one appears imminent. Holy Communion is only available at Viaticum. Confirmation Masses through April 13 have bee canceled and will be rescheduled.
Faith Formation classes are suspended until Tuesday, April 14 in accordance with the Governor’s order. Plans should be made to deliver religious instruction curriculum to families if possible.
Parish offices are closed to the public.
The diocesan offices are closed until Tuesday, April 14. Diocesan staff members are working from home to the extent possible and can be reached via email.
These guidelines are in addition to those issued by Bishop Walkowiak earlier in March. These measures are intended to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The Diocese of Grand Rapids will continue to be in consultation with the Kent County Health Department and other state and federal health officials. Further guidelines will be issued upon their recommendations.
As people of faith, let us pray for all affected by this virus, especially those who are sick or who have died as well as for all health care workers who are working diligently to protect us in this time. Updates can continuously be found at https://grdiocese.org/bishop-walkowiak-guidelines-to-help-prevent- spread-of-coronavirus/
