Nine months ago, we made an unprecedented decision to discontinue public Masses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a part of that decision, we also dispensed all the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Corpus Christi from their Sunday Obligation. Gradually with the improvement of the situation, public celebrations were reintroduced in keeping with federal, state and local guidelines for public gatherings. All these measures were taken as a safeguard to stop the spread of COVID-19 for the Common Good which is an expression of Charity.
Now, brothers and sisters it is time for us to gather again as a Catholic Christian family to recommit ourselves to the sacred obligation of the celebrating the Eucharist together every Sunday as the heart and meaning of our Christian life.
This coming Sunday November 1st, beginning with the Saturday evening Vigil Mass, we will restore our obligation to faithfully celebrate the Eucharist as the Memorial of Christ’s self-offering on the Cross as the greatest sign of God’s love. I do ask that you continue to cooperate with your pastors by wearing masks, sanitizing your hands and keeping a social distance as your pastors will request of you.
Before I say more, I want to remind those of you who are chronically ill, have a delicate health condition or who on a given day are not feeling well, that you are dispensed from the Sunday Obligation. Further, as long as the COVID-19 virus remains a threat in our communities, if you are concerned or fearful of your health situation, it is permissible that you remain home and make the Day of the Lord Holy in other ways, by watching the Mass by Live streaming and making a Spiritual Communion (as we have been doing), or to read the readings from the mass and pray the rosary or other forms of prayer. Hopefully when the virus is more under control you will feel the Lord calling you back to participate in the Mass in person at your parish.
Celebrating the Eucharist together every Sunday we outwardly show who we are – the Body of Christ with the mission to love one another.
Every Sunday we hear God’s word together, speaking to us. And as we receive this body and blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we proclaim Jesus
alive and living among us as we gather in his name. What more can give meaning to our lives than this?
I want to thank the pastors throughout the diocese for your strong faith in serving the people of the Diocese during this difficult situation, to all the parish workers and volunteers for your patience in serving your brothers and sisters.
Above all to the many family members who morning the loss of a loved one who died as a result of COVID-19. You and those who have died have a special place in my prayers at this time. On November 2nd the feast of All Souls, I will offer Mass in a particular way for those who have died.