COVID-19 Updates

UPDATED 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 28:

• All public Masses have been suspended at l;east through Monday, April 13, 2020 at the direction of Bishop Dal.y.
• The Cathedral will livestream Mass on a daily basis through our Facebook page (click here). The current schedule is to livestream the daily noon Mass, the 4 PM Saturday Vigil, and the 9 AM Sunday Mass.
• The Cathedral's regular Confession times have been suspended at least through Monday, April 13th. Penance and Anointing of the Sick remain available to those in danger of death. 
• We are promoting the making of Perfect Acts of Contrition (PDF) for those who find themselves in sin but are not in danger of death.
• All remain dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. 
• The faithful are encouraged to join Bishop Daly in a voluntary fast on Fridays with the intention of ending this pandemic
• Funeral rites, including Masses, memorials, and graveside services are prohbited at least through Monday, April 13, 2020.
• Though the office is closed, you can still call the office (509-3584290 ext. 4#). Our phone system will notify our office manager when someone leaves a voice message. She is maintaining regular office hours from home 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday.

As the situation surrounding COVID-19 develops, we will be using this webpage and Flocknote email messages to communicate updates from the Cathedral.

To join our parish email list (Flocknote) to receive the latest updates, click here to access an online form.

To see the latest from the Diocese of Spokane regarding the coronavirus, click here.

Below you will find previous messages sent out by the parish.

These updates are distributed as emails through the communication tool called Flocknote. To sign up for our parish Flocknote and receive future updates, click here to fill out an online form.

COVID UPDATES, 3/25/20

Bishop Daly issued a Flocknote message countain a memo with 13 directives regarding the suspension or postponement of various celebrations and sacraments, a guide on making a Perfect Act of Contrition, and a listing of various online spiritual resources. The full message can be found at this link: https://spokanediocese.flocknote.com/note/6472193

Fr. Connall also issued a Flocknote message to the parish. It reinforces Bishop's previous message and also reassures the parish that live stream Mass and responding of sick calls will continue. He concludes, "I will be spending time in our rectory chapel later today before the Blessed Sacrament.  You, the people of our Cathedral Family, will be the focus of my prayer." The full message can be found at this link: https://spokanecathedral.flocknote.com/note/6472438

FLOCKNOTE AND VIDEO MESSAGE FROM CATHEDRAL PRIESTS, 3/21/20, 9:30 AM

Father Connall and Father Ratuiste give another video update to the parish on the following points:

• Social distancing and overcoming isolation
• FORMED, an online resource for Catholic movies, videos, and more*
• Poor Fund and support for parishioners in need
• Financial snapshot of the parish
• How to give online*
• Planning for Palm Sunday
• Confessions in the church *

MESSAGE FROM FR. CONNALL, 3/15/20, 9:10 AM
(Sent via Flocknote)

Bishop Daly has extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass to everyone in the Diocese of Spokane.  See his memo here (see General Dispensation-March 15):

Masses at the Cathedral will continue to be offered according to the regular schedule even if the church is empty.  We need the prayer and grace at this difficult time.  

Please continue to be vigilant about practicing social distancing, proper hygiene, etc.

MESSAGE FROM FR. CONNALL, 3/13/20, 3:00 PM
(Sent via Flocknote)

Sorry to keep sending you messages, but the unfolding coronavirus issue makes it necessary.

The governor has closed all schools in the state.  We have been inundated with questions about religoius ed, youth group, Stations of the Cross, etc. To simplify matters, and out of an abundance of caution, all Cathedral Parish events outside of daily Mass, Sunday Mass, and confessions are CANCELLED until further notice. 

The governor has also prohibited gatherings of 250 people or more.  If our 9 and/or 11 am Mass this Sunday exceeds that number, I will offer additional simple Masses next Sunday (like at 12:30 p.m. & 1:15 p.m.) to spread people out.

This is no time to be without the healing grace of the sacraments.  If we all do our part, I believe we can provide the Eucharist and protect the health of our people at the same time. 

Father Connall

MESSAGE FROM FR. CONNALL, 3/13/20, 12:00 PM
(Sent via Flocknote)

I have several updates regarding the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on our parish.

Holy Mass continues to be offered throughout the Diocese of Spokane.  However, Bishop Daly has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass for all those who are 60 or older.  His memo may be read here (see March 13 Memo).

The Sacred Music Series which was scheduled to be held on Sunday is CANCELLED.

The Sign of Peace and distribution of the Precious Blood from the common chalice remain eliminated.

You may continue to receive Holy Communion on the tongue.  I have consulted with health care professionals and wrote about the matter in my rector's column for Sunday.  Please take a look at it.  Bishop Daly has not banned the practice of receiving on the tongue but is calling for prudence and vigilance. 

If you are an usher, the practice of taking Mass counts has been suspended.  Attendance is down and thus the numbers would be skewed.  Bishop will be asking for a diocesan-wide count in October. 

Attendance at Mass is indeed down.  While I am pleased that people are being safe, I am frankly concerned about the collection.  Please consider setting up online giving through the Cathedral website and click on the blue round icon in the lower right hand corner.

I indicated that we would be sending out parish surveys today asking for your input on a number of matters.  As we were developing the survey, it occurred to me that this is not a good time.  The economy, markets, and people's health and well being are just too fragile right now.  Let's get through coronavirus before diving into the surveys.  I promise they are coming, just a little later than planned.

Finally, please join me in praying for a speedy end to this pandemic.  For the sick, for the dead, and for an end to this infection - please God, deliver us from all this evil. 

See (some of you) at Mass!

Father Connall