Policy for Inclement Weather:

  1. Weekends and Holy Days of Obligation:
    1. Masses will be offered on Saturday evenings, Sunday mornings and Holy Days of Obligation as scheduled, regardless of the weather, assuming that the priest can make it to the church. Otherwise, these Masses will be cancelled only at the direction of the bishop.
    2. Scheduled ministers (e.g., lectors, altar servers) are not expected to attend, even if Mass is still offered.
    3. All other parish activities will be cancelled, even if Mass is still offered.
  2. Weekdays:
    1. Weekday Masses and all parish activities will be cancelled if the local schools are closed.
Please note:
  • The parishes’ primary means of communication with parishioners is via Flocknote.
  • The policy will be followed for similar unpredictable circumstances, e.g., power outages.
  • Mass intentions for cancelled Masses will be rescheduled by the parish secretary to the next available Mass.
  • In all cases, it is the responsibility of every individual to exercise good judgment and common sense to protect one’s safety.
  • If Mass is cancelled, parishioners are encouraged to keep the Lord’s Day at home through prayer and watching Mass live-stream or recorded at:
 
The following isn’t part of the parish policy statement, but for reference:
  • When would a priest cancel Sunday Mass? Only when he himself cannot be there, even if it means he’s the only human being present. Per Canon 904: “Remembering always that in the mystery of the eucharistic sacrifice the work of redemption is exercised continually, priests are to celebrate frequently; indeed, daily celebration is recommended earnestly since, even if the faithful cannot be present, it is the act of Christ and the Church in which priests fulfill their principal function.” http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P38.HTM
  • The moral obligation to attend Sunday Mass is lifted under certain circumstances, per Canon 1245: “Without prejudice to the right of diocesan bishops mentioned in ⇒ can. 87, for a just cause and according to the prescripts of the diocesan bishop, a pastor can grant in individual cases a dispensation from the obligation of observing a feast day or a day of penance or can grant a commutation of the obligation into other pious works. A superior of a religious institute or society of apostolic life, if they are clerical and of pontifical right, can also do this in regard to his own subjects and others living in the house day and night.”  http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_P4M.HTM