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Archbishop
Vigneron
Letter
regarding
resumption
of
public
Masses
aod.org
 DETROIT
- Dear
brothers
and
sisters,
I write
today to
share
some
measure
of hope
during
this
difficult
time of
pandemic
and
social
distancing.
In
recent
weeks,
we have
watched
with
relief
as our
State of
Michigan
gradually
opened
to
select
businesses
and
activities,
with
prudent
precautions
firmly
in place
to
prevent
a severe
“second
wave” of
the
coronavirus
pandemic.
In
keeping
with
this
gradual
reopening
of our
society,
it is
necessary
that we
make
similar
arrangements
within
our
local
Church
to allow
once
again
for the
communal
celebration
of Holy
Mass,
which at
its core
is the
most
“essential”
activity
known to
our
world.
In
these
liturgical
directives
you will
see
details
for the
return
to
public
Mass on
May 19,
2020.
The most
important
category
of
individuals
to
participate
at Mass
at this
time
should
be those
preparing
to enter
the
Catholic
Church
in the
weeks
ahead.
These
directives
will
need
strict
adherence
for all
public
liturgies,
including
weddings,
funerals,
and
baptisms.
The Mass
you may
attend
in the
weeks
ahead
will
look and
feel
quite
different
from the
Mass you
remember
from two
months
ago. It
will be
imperative
for all
of us –
pastors,
parish
staff,
volunteers,
and all
the
faithful
– to
work
together
during
these
times.
The
pandemic
is not
over and
safety
precautions
must be
followed
in order
to
promote
the
continued
health
and
safety
of
everyone
in our
community.
Additionally
I am
sharing
with you
updated
liturgical
guidelines,
which
have
been
assembled
by the
COVID-19
Liturgical
Committee.
These
guidelines
have
taken
into
account
expert
advice
from the
medical
community,
liturgical
experts,
and
public
health
leaders.
They are
meant to
assist
pastors
and the
faithful
in
safely
participating
in Holy
Mass
while
maintaining
the
sound
health
precautions
counseled
by
health
and
government
officials.
Through
it all,
we must
remember
that
this
virus
does not
discriminate
between
gatherings;
a group
gathered
for
sacred
worship
is not
immune
by the
merits
of its
gathering.
It is
only
through
our
careful
observance
of these
precautions
that we
make it
possible
to
resume
public
Mass.
For more
information
about
all
these
guidelines
and
other
resources,
please
visit
www.aod.org/emergencyresponse.
When
this
pandemic
began, I
directed
priests
of the
Archdiocese
of
Detroit
to
suspend
all
public
Masses
as we
assessed
the
situation
and
explored
a safe
way to
bring
Christ
to the
people,
both
through
the Word
of God
and the
Sacraments.
This was
an
unfortunate
but
necessary
decision
in light
of the
severity
of the
pandemic
and the
number
of
unknowns
associated
with
this new
and
deadly
virus.
Know
that I
have
prayed
during
this
time for
you, the
faithful
of
southeast
Michigan,
especially
during
my
private
and live
streamed
Masses.
I pray
you have
felt the
loving
comfort
of
Christ
as you
awaited
the day
you
could
return
to his
Real
Presence
in the
Eucharist.
And I
rejoice
with you
and
thank
God
today as
we move
toward
the
gradual
reopening
of our
parish
communities.
Asking
the
continued
intercession
of Our
Lady of
Lourdes,
I remain
Sincerely
yours in
Christ,
The
Most
Reverend
Allen H.
Vigneron
Archbishop
of
Detroit
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