Diocese of Monterey working to move Mass to livestream
MONTEREY, Calif. (KION) The Diocese of Monterey said that it will be suspending all public masses and working to make Mass available in a livestream format in response to coronavirus concerns.
The Bishop for the Diocese, Reverand Daniel Garcia, said in a statement that the suspension of masses will continue through Easter Sunday, April 12.
During that time, Garcia is encouraging parishoners to maintain meaningful traditions, such as reading Scripture, the Rosary or spontaneous prayer.
Other area places of worship are taking similar measures. One of them, Compass Church in Salinas, is streaming hour-long services on its website and Facebook page to avoid large gatherings.
Read the full statement below:
"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, After consultation with our presbyterate council and listening to our government and public health officials regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19), effective today, March 17, 2020 through April 12, 2020 (Easter Sunday), I am suspending the celebration of all public (Sunday and daily) masses in all counties of the Diocese of Monterey. We continue to monitor this crisis knowing that this timeline could be extended, if needed. I make these changes for the sake not only of the health and safety of our parishioners, but for the sake of the common good of all society. Please keep in mind these changes are temporary and I invite you to embrace this sacrifice of our treasured Eucharistic celebrations as a Lenten penitential sacrifice of the Catholic people for the sake of all, in charity, to slow and eliminate this virus, as a threat to the life of all our people. I will work with our Office of Communications to make available the Mass in a live-stream format on our Diocesan website. Besides praying the Eucharist “virtually (spiritual communion),” I invite you to pray with one another in your families, in ways meaningful to you, whether using Scripture, the Rosary, or spontaneous prayer. I ask for your patience as we adapt to new developments. All of you are in my heart and daily prayer. Let us together pray for all who are suffering from COVID-19 and who may have died, as well as their families. Also, let us continually lift up all of our medical professionals, who work together to address this medical crisis. St Junípero Serra and Our Lady of Bethlehem, pray for us!
"Your brother in Christ, +Most Reverend Daniel E. Garcia Bishop of Monterey"
