Category Archives: Parish Life

Can We be Required to Wear Masks at Mass?

Q1:  My question is simple.  There is no requirement by my diocese that we must wear masks at Mass.  Can a parish priest require it? –Bill Q2:  We just received an email from our parish communications director stating that we … Continue reading

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Can the Bishop Cancel Our Annual Parish Fundraiser, Because of the Virus?

Q:  A recent discussion with a Protestant friend led me to do some research, and when I visited your website, I saw the many questions about the withholding of Sacraments from the faithful during COVID-19.  I was absolutely shocked to … Continue reading

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Refusing a Funeral Mass, Because of the Virus

Q: The Archbishop of New York City announced at the beginning of the virus crisis that funeral Masses will NOT be conducted during this time for the victims of COVID19 or for the recently deceased….  How is this possible?  I … Continue reading

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Contributing Financially to the Support of the Parish: A Precept of the Church

Q1:  Wondering if you would comment on this article?  The author urged Catholics in America not to give a cent to our parishes so long as they are closed because of coronavirus.  He also says more generally that we shouldn’t … Continue reading

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Did the Spanish Flu of 1918 Create a Precedent for Closing Churches and Cancelling Masses Today?

Q:  A priest in residence at my parish is defending the bishop’s decision to lock all the churches indefinitely … claiming that there is canonical precedent for doing this.  He says the same thing was done during the Spanish Flu … Continue reading

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