In a communication to diocesan clergy, Bishop Daniel Felton has announced that the Sunday Mass obligation, which has been dispensed since March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be restored effective July 1.
The full text follows:
Dear Brother Priests and Deacons,
Greetings in our Lord Jesus Christ! Effective July 1, 2021, in coordination with the other Minnesota Bishops/Administrators, I am rescinding the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation that was given in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restoring the Mass obligation beginning the weekend of July 4. Attached please find a statement from the Bishops of our state making the announcement statewide. Please make sure that you communicate this to the faithful entrusted to your care.
During the summer months, it is a great opportunity to reach out and to re-engage parishioners; to provide some catechesis on the obligation itself; to invite and accompany the newcomers who have been participants of the on-line Mass experience to come and partake of the Mass at the parish church; and to assure the people that it is safe to return. With regard to the last point, as we move out of the pandemic safety protocols, please be respectful of those who may choose to wear a mask. I commend the hard work you, parish and school staff, and all the faithful have done over these many difficult months to help ensure we could worship together at Mass while limiting the spread of the virus.
I call to your attention the website referenced in the attached letter: backtomassmn.org. At that link is a Frequently Asked Questions page that may be useful to parishioners or to your own communications. As you share this news on social media, I also encourage you to use the #BackToMassMN hashtag.
It was great to see many of you at the ordinations of Dcn. Scott Padrnos and Fr. Trevor Peterson. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!
May the Lord bless you and those you serve,
+Bishop Daniel
