Sunday Obligation Resumes July 1

The Catholic bishops of Minnesota join together in welcoming all the faithful back to parish life! 

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a painful time of separation that necessitated the dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend Mass.

Now, as the pandemic subsides, and public gathering restrictions and safety protocols have been lifted, it is time to gather together as the Body of Christ once again.

Therefore, the bishops and diocesan administrators of the Minnesota Catholic Conference have decided to reinstate the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation beginning the weekend of July 3-4, 2021.
 

• Pastoral letter from Archbishop Hebda
• Statement from Minnesota Bishops

Even after that time, there remain reasons why a Catholic may still have a dispensation from the Sunday obligation, including when he or she is ill or serving as caretaker for one who cannot attend Mass. 

The faithful who do not attend Mass in person are asked to find a Mass on TV, the radio, or online and make a Spiritual Communion. We will continue to livestream Masses every day and several on the Lord's Day from the church at Nativity of Our Lord after July 1.

If ever tuning in to a broadcast Mass is impossible, Catholics can still keep the Sabbath holy by setting aside time for prayers such as the Liturgy of the Hours or the Rosary, or prayerfully reading the bible, in addition to increased leisure and refraining from needless work.
 

• Returning to Mass FAQs (via ArchSPM.org)
• Traveling this summer? Find a church in every MN diocese here.

For those who are able, the return to the in-person celebration of the Sunday Mass and the reception of Jesus in the Eucharist are both vital to our lives as Catholic Christians. We were Created for Communion. 

Let us also remain appropriately vigilant, as COVID-19 is still a formidable foe, and there are those in our community who remain vulnerable, whether immunocompromised themselves or otherwise.

Finally, let us daily pray for those whom we have lost and remember (and thank!) all those who have helped navigate the pandemic.

Visit backtomassmn.org for more information, or contact the parish office at (651) 696-5401 or info@nativitystpaul.org.