News

"So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell the disciples."

(Matthew 28:8)

Join us for live-streaming at www.facebook.com/dioceseofcornerbrookandlabrador

April 5, Passion Sunday - 10:30am (10:00am in Labrador)

April 6, Mass - 9:00am (8:30am in Labrador); Lenten Mission 7:00pm (6:30pm in Labrador)

April 7, Mass - 9:00am (8:30am in Labrador); Lenten Mission 7:00pm (6:30pm in Labrador)

April 8, Mass - 9:00am (8:30am in Labrador); Lenten Mission 7:00pm (6:30pm in Labrador)

April 9, Holy Thursday - 7:00pm (6:30 in Labrador)

April 10, Good Friday - 3:00pm (2:30 in Labrador)

April 11, Easter Vigil - 7:00pm (6:30pm in Labrador)

April 12, Easter Sunday - 10:30am (10:00 in Labrador)  Today's homily will be addressed to the children of the diocese.  Everyone is invited to listen!

Thank you to all who join us for daily and Sunday Mass.  This will continue while we are not allowed to gather physically.

Hope, Gratitude, and Solidarity - This ecumenical and interfaith message is a response by religious leaders from across Canada.

The message says: "In spite of present sufferings, which can seem overwhelming at times, the flames of hope cannot be extinguished. Love, which gives life its fullest meaning, continues to seek out the common good in spite of individual difficulties."

The Development and Peace Share Lent Campaign goes virtual. More information of the campaign and how you can donate are both addressed in the link above.

Join Pope Francis in prayer and receive his extraordinary "Urbi et orbi" blessing today, Friday, March 27 at 2:30pm (2:00pm in Labrador) by going to www.vaticannews.va/en

In response to Provincial Health Regulations and for the safety of all those entrusted to our care, the following precautions are to be used at all Catholic Funerals in our Diocese:

• No wakes.
• Funeral services without Mass (no distribution of communion).
• Numbers in attendance “as close to zero as possible” (less than 5) with an absolute maximum in keeping with our health authority (presently less than 10).
• Work with funeral homes to make the service available via live streaming.
• The front door must be tended by a door attendant (to control cross contamination and guest list).
• Seating arrangements should be tightly controlled and respect social distancing.
• All music books should be removed from the pews.
• Seating area should be disinfected before and after the service.
• Graveyard service should respect social distancing.

Bishop Bart, in communication with his priests, goes on to say:

"I realize that these are extraordinary measures and that they may not be received well by everyone.  I, therefore urge those who are charged with leadership in our parishes to use the greatest of pastoral skills in communicating with the family and the general public in implementing them.  It is, therefore, essential that we make ourselves available to anyone that might have concerns with any one of these precautions, that we do our utmost to listen to them and, where possible, be proactive in reaching out to those who we know might be most impacted by these precautions."

Beginning March 22, Sunday Mass will be live streamed on the diocesan Facebook page - Diocese of Corner Brook and Labrador. The celebration of the Sunday Eucharist will begin at 10:30am (10:00am in Labrador) with Bishop Bart as the main celebrant.

In part the Bishop's letter says:

"After listening to the recommendations by both our Provincial and Federal Governments to practice “social distancing” and to avoid any unnecessary gatherings of people, and in consultation with College of Consultors of the Diocese and the Bishops of Atlantic Canada, I hereby dispense the people of the diocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until such time as the present precautions are lifted and ask that all Masses (both weekend and weekdays), socials, meetings, catechetical activities and hall-based fundraisers (i.e. Bingos, Teas and Suppers) be cancelled until further notice.  Outreach programs to the poor should follow tight pre-arranged delivery or pick-up protocol and should minimize or eliminate close contact between people."

"Please be attentive to the needs of those who may need extra time and attention during this difficult and stressful time... Though it is important to keep our protocols current and in keeping with what is being asked of us, it is equally important that we do everything to lighten the load that others may be carrying.  Pray for those who are on the front lines of our health care systems and for all those who are most vulnerable or suffering from illness.  Lent is a time of fasting, prayer and acts of charity.  Keeping these age-old practices in mind, let us not fail to practice them with utmost care."

To learn of other precuautionary steps in detail and for information on ways to participate in Sunday liturgies, please read the Bishop's letter in its entirety.