The following article is the next installment in a series that will appear in the Catholic Herald to offer catechesis and formation concerning end of life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from the Catholic perspective.
Tag: Mass
The Order of Christian Funerals: Funeral Mass
The following article is the next installment in a series that will appear in the Catholic Herald to offer catechesis and formation concerning end of life decisions, dying, death, funerals, and burial of the dead from the Catholic perspective.
Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ amid COVID-19; the Diocese of Madison nine months in
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MADISON — This week marks nine months that we as the local Church have been struggling, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to continue to proclaim the Gospel and the good news of salvation, only made possible through Our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection.
While so much of our daily life has been altered, the need for the Church and Our Lord’s graces through the sacraments made available through Her have only become more crucial. Even in a pandemic, we are still called to Go Make Disciples and grow in our holiness.
Specific to keeping the Sunday Mass obligation
As the number of cases, hospitalizations, and sadly, the number of deaths due to COVID-19 continue to increase, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison reminded us last week in one of his daily videos that those vulnerable or at risk, and those who work or live with those at risk, should “take advantage of the generous dispensations that are written into Canon Law.”
You are likely already dispensed from your Sunday obligation, if you are older, immuno-compromised, live or work with someone who is, or are subject to other COVID-related situations.What does participation in Mass look like?
Last week’s article discussed the need for everyone in the congregation to participate because that is how we allow the liturgy to do its job of praising God and making us more Christ-like.
Participation in the Mass: Is it really that important?
Previously, articles have discussed the encounter we have with Christ at every Mass.
Why attending Mass is important
Recently, the Catholic bishops of Wisconsin jointly decided to lift the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligation in all five dioceses in the Province during the month of September.
So, beginning the weekend of September 26 to 27, it will be once again obligatory for Catholics in our diocese to attend Mass every Sunday and Holy Day of Obligation.
I lifted the obligation six months ago, beginning on March 17 in the very beginning of the COVID pandemic.
These months have been long and difficult; the inability to go to Mass and receive the Eucharist has been a great hardship, but I made that decision out of concern for the public health and in union with my brother bishops in the state and the country.
Catholics invited back to weekly Sunday Mass; safety protocols remain in place
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Statement from the Diocese of Madison:
MADISON — As has been circulated in recent days, the five Wisconsin bishops jointly decided to lift the suspension of the Sunday Mass obligation in their respective dioceses this month. For the Diocese of Madison, this suspension will be lifted beginning on Sunday, September 27th.
As Bishop Hying wrote to the priests of the diocese, “We have been living with the obligation suspended for almost six months and we rightly chose to be cautious, concerned for the safety and health of our people, especially at the beginning of the pandemic.”
Since late May, diocesan guidelines, observing all state and local orders for safe reopening of our 134 churches have been in place throughout the 11-county Diocese of Madison. These measures have proven effective. Our churches were reopened for public worship with limited capacity, distancing, and great caution for the public health, without any known spread of COVID-19.
Watching for Christ in the Mass
Last week’s article addressed the Catholic belief of Christ’s presence in the celebration of the Eucharist (Mass) and in the Body and Blood of Christ that we receive. This week we look at other ways we can encounter Christ in the Mass.
The eyes of faith see what human eyes cannot
One of the most powerful gifts of the Mass and other Sacramental celebrations is that we encounter Christ face-to-face.
The Mass is ended. So now what?
“The Mass is ended. Go in peace.” I have to admit that when I was a child, I used to find our response to the dismissal, “Thanks be to God!” a little funny.