March 17, 2020

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

As some of you may have heard in light of the spread of Coronavirus, the bishops of Ohio

have decided, effective immediately, to suspend temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/liturgies, at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. The bishops of Ohio dispense the Catholic faithful who reside in their respective dioceses and all other Catholics currently in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday.

Although public celebration of Masses and liturgies have been suspended, as your pastor I will continue to say private Masses (without people) in order to pray for you and your loved ones for whom you requested a Mass. On Easter Sunday at 10:45 am I will offer a private Mass for all of our Easter Mass Intentions. This Mass will be videotaped and posted on our web page and Facebook the following day, so that you can also celebrate the Resurrection Mass watching it at your home.

According to the Diocese of Youngstown Funeral Masses are permitted to be celebrated in churches. However, the number of people in attendance is to be limited to the immediate family members only. The State of Ohio limits the gathering of people in public places, which includes churches to 10 persons only. The same rule applies to the Funeral Home Services celebrated at Funeral Homes.

Our RCIA candidates will be received into the Catholic Church at a later date. Our Parish School of Religion will be suspended at least through Easter Sunday. The public celebration of the Stations of the Cross is cancelled. You are welcome to do them in private. St. Joseph Catholic Church in Alliance will be open for private prayer from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The same rules regarding gatherings in public places listed above will apply to private prayer.

Please remember that St. Joseph Parish counts on your financial support. We have to pay our bills, salaries, and purchase supplies for our church and office. You can mail your donations or use our online giving program. Without your sacrificial giving, we will not be able to survive.

Please, oblige with the recommendations from the CDC Department and the directives from the Catholic Bishops of Ohio. Please, exercise common sense and try to avoid public places at all cost. Let us pray for one another and especially for those who died because of this pandemic. May God help us and protect us during this difficult time in the lives of so many people around the world.

With my love and prayers,

​

Fr. Matthew

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