In order to both provide for the safety of the faithful and to attend to your well-being,
I am directing that all of our church buildings and chapels be closed until further notice. Government health officials have indicated that the next two weeks will usher in a virulent spread of the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, Church buildings are not to be open for any period of time during the day or night. Access to all parish buildings is to be strictly limited to staff that are essential for onsite requirements relating to maintenance of the buildings that cannot be delayed. These norms apply to religious houses in the Diocese of Paterson as well.
Additionally, I want to emphasize that Funeral Masses are not to be celebrated at this time. Following a brief committal service for the departed, which may include the priest, funeral director, and no more than eight members of the immediate family, the priest may celebrate Mass privately for the soul of the departed. A Memorial Mass for the deceased may be celebrated when this crisis has passed.
In regard to the live streaming of Masses, which has been a great support to our faithful,
I emphasize that the number of people participating with their presence at the Mass itself is to be strictly limited and should never surpass ten, including the celebrant. If the space where the Mass is being celebrated is confined, the Mass should be celebrated with the priest celebrant alone.
Thank you for your adherence to these regulations. Please know of my prayers for you and of my gratitude for the exceptional pastoral care you are administering to the faithful during these challenging days.
With a prayer for the Lord's blessing, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Bishop of Paterson