June 9, 2021

Dear Friends in Christ,

When the Catholic bishops of the Archdiocese of Washington and the Province of Baltimore announced a week ago that they were reinstating the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and holy days on June 26-27, I know this news was greeted with joy, indifference, and trepidation, depending on who you asked. I wanted to break open this decision in our archdiocesan church, because after more than a year at home, it is understandably jarring.  

In their statement, the bishops cited the declining average number of new cases of COVID-19 due to safety protocols and the increased availability of the vaccine as reasons underpinning their decision to reinstate the Mass obligation. Local churches did their part – and I believe ours certainly did – in following health protocols to keep people socially distanced and minimize opportunities for the virus to spread. Our church environment is still not risk-free, especially for those with underlying health conditions and children under 12 who cannot yet get vaccinated, but it has adopted a gradual return to normalcy while encouraging Christian concern for those who are vulnerable among us. Read about our in-person Mass protocols.

If we look at Canon law, the guidance is clear: “On Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass.” We do this because, as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has stated, “In the eucharistic assembly, in the proclamation of the Word, and in the celebration of the sacraments, God is present in our midst.” The USCCB further states that, “as members of the worshiping assembly, we are called to join the offering of ourselves with the offering of Christ. Thus, our participation in the eucharist involves both internal and external expression including, but not limited to, an attitude of prayer and attention, physical movement, sentiments of praise and adoration, and joining in the sung and recited responses.”

Being present at the Mass, then brings alive our communal celebration of the Eucharist, both before God and each other. As wonderful a lifeline as our recorded Mass and others’ livestreamed liturgies provided us during the pandemic, they cannot replicate the lifegiving witness we give to each other when we hear sacred Scripture as one, kneel and pray as one, and joyfully proclaim our praise of Christ as one.

Ultimately, I know you must make the right decision for you and your family, as to when you return to Mass. With the lifting of the dispensation, our archdiocesan shepherd is calling us all to return to Mass, not only because the time and conditions are right, but because it has been long enough.

The Mass obligation does not apply to you if you are ill, believe you were recently exposed to COVID-19 or some other contagious illness, are confined to home, hospital or a nursing facility or have serious underlying health conditions. But if you are venturing out among friends, have started returning to restaurants and public spaces or are going back to other desired venues, I do pray our church home is a place where you not only want to return to but where you know your presence is missed.

I wish you all a blessed and wonderful week.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. John