IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WEEKEND MASS CELEBRATIONS

Due to the Coronavirus epidemic, there are no weekend Mass celebrations until further notice.

TO THE PASTORS AND PEOPLE OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF BRISBANE

The following directive has been received from the Archbishop of Brisbane

• The celebration of Mass on Sundays (including the Saturday vigil) is suspended with immediate effect and until further notice, and all the faithful are dispensed from the Sunday obligation.
• Priests will continue to celebrate Mass (the Mass for the people) on Sundays without a congregation, with people able to follow Masses live-streamed from the Cathedral at archbne.org/bzw on Sundays and weekdays.
• For the time being, weekday Masses may be celebrated as scheduled, with the current restrictions and precautions to be observed.
• The Sacrament of Reconciliation should in general be celebrated only by appointment with the priest, with the current precautions to be observed.
• Any Church celebration or event where more than 100 people are expected should be cancelled or postponed.
• All attending any Church celebration or event should respect the requirements of physical distancing.
• All ministers of Holy Communion, including the priest, should disinfect their hands before and after distributing.
• In the Ordinary Form of the Latin Rite, the Body of Christ should be administered only in the hand and the chalice should be received by the celebrant alone.
• The Sign of Peace should be limited to saying “Peace be with you” with a nod or bow; no hand-shaking or hand-holding should occur here or at the Our Father.
• Hymn books should not be used.
• As far as possible, churches should remain open to allow private prayer; the Blessed Sacrament might be exposed in the monstrance for this purpose (as long as fewer than 100 are attending and with the usual provisions for reverence and security of the Sacrament).
• Communion to the sick should be taken by priests alone and in general be restricted to Viaticum to the dying, with the current restrictions and precautions to be observed.
• Baptisms, weddings and funerals may be celebrated, but restricted if necessary to immediate family; baptisms and weddings can always be postponed.
• Preparation for and celebration of First Penance, Confirmation and First Communion should be postponed until the pandemic is over.

It is essential in a time such as this to strengthen and deepen our spiritual life, precisely so that we do not “lose sight of Jesus” (Hebrews 12:2). The Archdiocese will do everything possible to assist you with this; and there is an abundance of online resources – including Mass at home – to nourish your faith through this time. As Pope Francis has said, pastors will have to show creativity in ministering to their people; and there are many examples of this around the world, with technology making it less difficult than in the past.

With the blessing of peace,

+ Mark Coleridge
Archbishop of Brisbane

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