On Friday, March 13, Bishop Ricken granted a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass in the Green Bay Diocese due to concerns about the spread of the COVID-19 virus. This dispensation will cover three weekends, including Masses for Sundays March 15, 22, and 29.
As of Friday, March 13, all scheduled Masses at St. Jude’s will go on as normal during these weekends.
The dispensation from the Sunday obligation does not dispense the faithful from their obligation under divine law to keep the Lord’s Day holy, which they can do through viewing a televised or streamed Mass from St. Francis Xavier Cathedral or elsewhere, reading and meditating upon the Sunday readings, praying the Rosary as a family, or some other act of devotion.
Whether or not the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has been dispensed from, parishioners with symptoms of illness are urged NOT to attend Mass. The obligation to attend Sunday Mass does not ever apply to those who are ill, especially if they are suffering from a contagious illness. This is an obligation in charity for themselves and others that those with flu-like symptoms remain at home.