13 March 2020
During this time of pandemic, in light of Governor Hogan’s orders regarding public gatherings in Maryland, and because the Archdiocese of Washington has announced that all public Masses will not be celebrated, Saint Bernadette parishioners should be aware of the following.
Catholic faithful in Maryland are dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass until further notice.
Please refrain from any communal participation at church if you are sick, experiencing even slight symptoms of illness, or are at-risk or vulnerable to illness, out of charity and concern for your brothers and sisters in Christ.
For the well-being of all in the community we must all work to create and maintain “social distance;” at the same time, it is vital to our well-being and that of the community to offer right worship to Almighty God and receive the grace of the Sacraments as real help in this time of danger.
The Sacrament of Penance will be offered according to our published schedule, with the restriction that all penitents are asked to confess from behind the screen.
Stations of the Cross will be celebrated Friday evening as scheduled, though there will be no Simple Supper. Participants, please disperse throughout the entire church, including the transepts, in order to maintain a healthful separation.
The three priests of Saint Bernadette all will be offering their private Masses in the church each day, though the precise times will not be published. Mass intentions accepted and scheduled at the parish will be fulfilled on the days they were scheduled.
Throughout the weekend of Saturday 14 March to Sunday 15 March, the church will be open all day for faithful who wish to spend time in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord.
Priests also will be present in the church Sunday until three o’clock in the afternoon to provide Holy Communion as practicable to the faithful who present themselves and request it.
The distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful who request it during these days will be conducted under practices devised to maintain hygiene and health, as well as devotion.
The Blessed Sacrament will be exposed on Sunday evening 15 March from six until ten o’clock for adoration, prayer, and divine intimacy.
Those who are unable to attend Mass can follow the Mass on radio, television, or online where possible. The Archdiocese of Washington TV Mass airs every Sunday at 10:30 AM on WDCW-50. The Sunday TV Mass is available to watch anytime on the National Shrine’s YouTube channel. EWTN broadcasts Holy Mass several times each day. Mass from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York is livestreamed on the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral website, and broadcast on radio on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129).
May the Holy Spirit guide and protect us all as we choose and act in this fraught time. May Our Lady of Lourdes, Health of the Sick and Mother of Mercy, who chose Saint Bernadette to receive and share her words, intercede for us. Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us!
