Covid-19
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February 5, 2021 - Update on Church Capacity
On February 4, Governor Lamont issued a new Executive Order which includes a provision for the “Relaxation of Limits on Religious Gatherings”. It provides that “religious, spiritual, or worship gatherings, if held indoors, are limited to no more than 50 percent of the venue’s capacity, and such services, if held outdoors, are limited to the number of people that can be accommodated safely by the venue or location, provided that all persons present at any such indoor or outdoor gathering wear masks, unless speaking from designated safe locations, and that a distance of 6 feet is maintained between all persons or groups not from the same household.”
The Connecticut Catholic Conference welcomed this easing of attendance for restrictions at houses of worship as “an important step toward welcoming back more of our Faithful to Mass and the sacraments.” It noted that freedom of religion is among the most sacred of our God given and Constitutional rights. Our Church will always work to protect and vindicate this right. At the same time we remain firmly committed to ensuring that all steps are taken to promote public health and safety.
There are two things to be noted: We are now free to open our churches up to 50% capacity, and the precautionary measures for Mass in the Archdiocese (distancing, masking, sanitizing, no handouts, no congregational singing, etc.) remain in force. Pastors still have to exercise discretion as to what their churches can safely accommodate with regard to the number of people to be
November 2, 2020 - Further Extension of Dispensation from Sunday Mass Obligation
On March 13, 2020, each and every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Hartford was dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass by Archbishop Leonard P. Blair due to the potential danger of the coronavirus pandemic. With the release of the document Opening Churches for Public Worship in the Archdiocese of Hartford on May 27, this dispensation was extended through Sunday, September 6, 2020. Then on August 19, the dispensation was extended once again through Saturday, November 28, 2020.
In light of the recent increase in coronavirus cases within the state of Connecticut and continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, Archbishop Blair has now extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for all the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Hartford through Tuesday, February 16, 2021, which is the eve of Ash Wednesday.
The Archdiocese of Hartford continues to monitor the severity of the situation surrounding the pandemic and will provide updates regarding decisions reached for the archdiocese as they are made.
August 19, 2020 - Opening Churches for Public Worship in the Archdiocese of Hartford
* Sunday Mass Obligation - Archbishop Blair has dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Hartford. This dispensation currently continues through Saturday, November 28.
* The Resuming of Public Mass - As of Monday, June 8, 2020, parishes of the Archdiocese of Hartford reopened for the public celebration of weekday Masses, and beginning the weekend of July 4 & 5, 2020, parishes resumed the celebration of Sunday Masses, with the understanding that in order to do so they must successfully implement and follow the procedures of this document. Learn More
June 3, 2020 - Returning to Mass an overview
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May 27, 2020 - Updated Sacramental Information for the Archdiocese of Hartford
Basic Information Everyone Needs To Know About Reopening Churches For Public Worship
* Sunday Mass Obligation - Archbishop Blair has dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Hartford, and unless otherwise announced, this dispensation will continue through Sunday, September 6.
* When Will Mass Resume - As of Monday, June 8, 2020, parishes of the Archdiocese of Hartford can reopen for the public celebration of weekday Masses only. A date is not yet determined for the resuming of Sunday Mass but will be considered following the successful implementation of the weekday Mass guidelines of this document. More
April 15, 2020 - Cancellation of Public Masses Extended
In light of the continued assessment of the spread of the coronavirus within Connecticut and Governor Lamont’s Executive Order of April 10th mandating the cancellation of school classes and the extension of closures of non-essential businesses through May 20, 2020, the Archdiocese has deemed it necessary to update the cancellation of public Masses and liturgies that had previously been extended through April 30, 2020. Given the constantly changing landscape, and the decisions of civil authorities in this regard, the cancellation of public Masses and liturgies in the Archdiocese of Hartford (the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven) will remain in effect until further notice. Learn More
March 24, 2020 - Extension of Closures and Cancellations in the Archdiocese of Hartford
In light of continued uncertainty regarding the extent and duration of the coronavirus in the state of Connecticut and throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford, the cancellation of public Masses and liturgies in the churches of the Archdiocese (the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven) that was originally mandated through April 3, 2020, will now extend through April 30, 2020. This includes the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Parishes will be advised in the coming days regarding what spiritual opportunities can be offered to their people during this most holy season of the liturgical year. Read More
March 17, 2020 - Further Sacramental & Other Considerations for the Archdiocese of Hartford Regarding the Coronavirus
As publicly announced in a message dated March 16, 2020, in light of what the CDC has issued on March 15th regarding the cancellation or postponement of large events and mass gatherings of more than 50 people, and given the March 16th mandate of Governor Ned Lamont requiring the closure of all restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters, the Archdiocese of Hartford has cancelled all weekend and weekday Masses, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in the churches of the Archdiocese (the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven) through April 3, 2020. Priests will celebrate a daily Mass alone with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the pandemic. Parishes will be encouraged to make provision for their churches to be open at some time so that individuals can still come and pray.
This present document is meant to provide further specificity and guidance, and the Archdiocese will continue to issue updates as further questions and new developments arise, particularly with regard to Holy Week and Easter.
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March 16, 2020 - An Announcement Regarding the Celebration of Mass in the Archdiocese of Hartford
In light of what the CDC has issued on March 15th regarding the cancellation or postponement of large events and mass gatherings of more than 50 people, and given the March 16th mandate of Governor Ned Lamont requiring the closure of all restaurants, bars, gyms and movie theaters, the Archdiocese of Hartford has cancelled all weekend and weekday Masses, effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, in the churches of the Archdiocese (the counties of Hartford, Litchfield, and New Haven) through April 3, 2020. Priests will celebrate a daily Mass alone with no congregation, remembering in prayer all who are affected by the pandemic. Parishes will be encouraged to make provision for their churches to be open at some time so that individuals can still come and pray. Further direction and updates from the Archdiocese will be provided in a timely manner regarding Holy Week and all celebrations beyond that date.
Additionally, in response to the March 15th mandate of Governor Lamont requiring the closure of all Connecticut schools through at least March 31st, all Archdiocesan high schools and parochial schools will also be closed through March 31st. View Letter
March 13, 2020 - Archdiocese of Hartford to Enact Additional Measures to Combat the Spread of Coronavirus
In light of Governor Lamont declaring both a “public health emergency” and a “civil preparedness emergency” on Tuesday, March 10, and with the World Health Organization officially categorizing the coronavirus as a “pandemic” on Wednesday, March 11, in the interest of public health it is necessary to implement additional measures pertaining to liturgical celebrations and other events that include gatherings of many people. We all need to do our part to halt the spread of this dangerous virus and to keep our towns and communities safe and healthy. To this end, Archbishop Leonard P. Blair has directed that:
• Effective immediately and through Sunday, March 29, the Archbishop has dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass each and every Catholic in the Archdiocese of Hartford. This dispensation is offered with the understanding that some will still wish to attend Mass, while others may be less willing out of fear for their own health or the health of others. That is a decision left to the individual, but with the caution that all the precautions of hygiene and social distancing should be followed, and that if someone is ill or having symptoms, out of charity they should not go to church. However, to repeat, through March 29 all Catholics of the Archdiocese of Hartford are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Read More