Dear Parishioners,
As you have likely seen in the forecast, a significant winter snowstorm is expected to arrive early Sunday morning and continue through the day, bringing heavy snowfall and dangerously cold conditions.
First and foremost: please do not put yourself at risk. If travel conditions are unsafe due to snow, ice, extreme cold, or road closures, you are not bound to attend Mass on Sunday. In such circumstances, the Church recognizes that a serious reason excusing a person from Mass is present.
To be clear: if the weather is bad and you cannot safely travel, you are automatically dispensed from the Sunday Mass obligation. Your safety matters, and no one should feel pressured to endanger themselves or others to get to Mass.
Canon Law
The Church’s law provides for this situation. Canon Law teaches:
Canon 1247: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.”
Canon 1248 §2: “If participation in the Eucharistic celebration becomes impossible because of the absence of a sacred minister or for another grave cause, it is strongly recommended that the faithful take part in a Liturgy of the Word… or spend an appropriate time in prayer personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families.”
Hazardous winter weather and unsafe travel conditions clearly fall under a grave cause.
Saturday Vigil Masses Encouraged
Because the worst of the storm is expected to arrive on Sunday, I strongly encourage everyone who is able to attend one of our Saturday Vigil Masses:
Religious Education Update
In expectation of the storm and the intense cold, Religious Education is cancelled this Sunday.
If You Cannot Attend Mass
If Sunday travel is unsafe, I encourage you to keep the Lord’s Day holy in another way:
Pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet
Read and reflect on the Sunday readings
Watch our livestream Mass
Spend time in quiet prayer as a family
Please continue to watch for updates if conditions worsen. Let us pray for safety for all travelers and for those who will need to work in the storm.
May the Lord keep you safe and grant His peace.
In Christ,
Fr. Andy Boyd
