Masses canceled

March 17th, 2020 | Posted by K Graham in Uncategorized

Statement of Bishop Carl A. Kemme Regarding Suspension
of Public Masses in the Diocese of Wichita.
Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Wichita,
With deep sadness but also with confidence that this decision is the right one and in
collaboration with the bishops of Kansas, I decree that effective at 1:00 p.m. March 17, 2020 and
until further notice, all public celebrations of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Diocese of
Wichita are suspended. This action is taken, after prayerful discernment and in light of evolving
developments of the pandemic ofthe Coronavirus, COVID 19. This unprecedented action, though
painful and challenging for the life of the Roman Catholic Community is intended to assist in
helping reduce the potential spread of life-threatening infection within the general population.
With this decree, the following applies to all parishes, chapels, and religious houses in the
Diocese of Wichita.
• All masses offered by priests are to be private, according to the Liturgical Norms
and not open to the public. Pastors are reminded of their canonical obligation to
offer one mass per week for the people.
• The Faithful are encouraged to participate in live stream masses or on EWTN.
• The Faithful are highly encouraged to practice the time honored tradition of
Spiritual Communion, as well as use this time, particularly on Sundays for
reflection on the Sacred Scriptures for the day, recitation of the Holy Rosary, The
Divine Mercy Chaplet or other devotions. The Office of Worship will be providing
resources to help the faithful enter into this period of prayer and absence from
the Eucharist.
• Funeral Masses are to be offered for the deceased with only immediate family in
attendance and with social distancing. Priests may wish to recommend Christian
Burial with a Memorial Mass to follow at a later date.
• No funeral dinners or luncheons are to be held
• Baptisms outside of Mass may be celebrated with only the parents, godparents
and immediate family of the person being baptized.
• Please consult with the Diocesan Chancery about previously scheduled weddings
for the months of March and April
‘y-J~ ~ ~ a,C ck,~~~~- 11 1 Peter4:10
• Quinceafiera’s are to be postponed
• Confessions are to be heard only behind the screen and not face to face.
• All Stations of the Cross, Liturgy of the Hours, Adoration, etc. are to be canceled
during this period of time.
• All events, meetings and the like are to be canceled until further notice.
• Confirmations, First Reconciliation, First Communions are to be postponed until
after this crisis has ended.
• Unless otherwise determined at a later date, this also applies to Holy Week, the
Chrism Mass and Easter Sunday.
For families in our Catholic Schools, please watch for correspondence from
Superintendent Janet Eaton and/or your parish school principal. The decision on how to proceed
with the education of the Kansas youth will be made in the coming days.
On behalf of our pastors, I want to humbly request that the faithful continue to be good
stewards by financially supporting our parishes so that they can remain current in their bills and
payroll responsibilities. Sending in your contributions or opting for online giving will help us
remain viable for the future. Thank you for your generosity.
Questions and concerns may be directed to our staff at the Diocesan Chancery. We will
do our best to provide answers to your questions.
Dear People, let us continue to offer our heartfelt prayers for one another during this
crisis, for recovery of the sick, for those who care for them, for a speedy end to this crisis and for
strength to endure whatever may come. Let us use this time well by putting Our Lord at the
center of all our lives. Our faith needs to be strong in every form of trial, confident that God is
with us. DO NOT BE AFRAID! Please know of my daily thoughts and prayers as we face this time
of testing, trial and distress together.
-t-C~A
Bishop Carl Kemme
. ~

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