Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller has revoked the dispensation granted on March 13, 2020. Therefore, effective May 23, 2021, the Solemnity of Pentecost, the obligation for Catholics to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation is reinstated for all Catholics of the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Catholics who have serious reasons for not physically attending Mass are encouraged to follow the guidance the Church provides in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2181): "The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor." Other examples are the elderly and physically disabled persons and those with compromised immune systems who have prayerfully discerned taht they should not physiaccly attend.
As a result of positive trends and because of the new guidance from the CDC, we feel that it is now sufficiently safe for us to make additional changes to our COVID-19 protocols:
We ask that you continue to pray for an end to the pandemic.
To read the full letter from Bishop Michael Boulette dated May 14, 2021 please click here
On December 4, 2020, Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS published a statement regarding the moral permissibility of the use of the recently released COVID-19 vaccines.
To read the full statement in both English and Spanish, CLICK HERE.
For more information regarding COVID-19 and the Archdiocese of San Antonio, please visit https://www.archsa.org/covid-19.
Declaración del Arzobispo Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS (Español) (Video)
While this dispensation is extended, the faithful need to tend to their spiritual lives and are strongly encouraged to return to Mass with their community if they are able. Any parishioners who are uncomfortable attending Sunday Mass due to the coronavirus or safety measures implemented at Notre Dame are excused from their obligation to attend.
To read the latest letter from Archbishop Gustavo to the congregation, written on October 16, 2020, please click the link:
http://www.archsa.org/images/uploads/Dispensation.pdf
Fr. David, Fr. Rafal and the Notre Dame parish staff have developed a comprehensive safety plan using the archdiocesan guidelines to ensure our parish is taking the proper health precautions upon reopening. Please read the full plan HERE.
Archbishop Gustavo’s dispensation of all Catholics from the obligation to participate in the Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation remains in effect until repealed. In the event of another health emergency public Mass may be suspended again.
Click HERE to read the full Press Release from the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
https://www.archsa.org/images/uploads/4-16-20-Decree-update-English.pdf
All Masses have been suspended to the public until further notice. This now includes daily Mass.
LIVE STREAM of bilingual Mass celebrated by Fr. David and Fr. Rafal will be available on Sundays at 9:00am. We thank everyone who joined us on Facebook Live this past Sunday. Your presence and prayers were definitely felt. Let us be thankful for the technology that allows us to do bring the Mass to God's people during this current situation. We are currently working on improvements to the audio quality as well as making it more accessible for our parishioners in the weeks to come. Please stay tuned for more details regarding this week's live stream.
Our prayer is that we may all respond with charity and sensitivity for the common good. Please practice good hygiene following the recommendations of the CDC, stay at home if you feel sick or at risk, and increase your personal prayer at home with your families.
Please read Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller's full decree published on March 13, 2020 by clicking HERE
Effective the weekend of March 14-15, the Archdiocese of San Antonio has issued the following:
Accompanied by the Lord, who will sustain us through this tribulation - and through the hard work of our dedicated health professionals - we will make it through these trying times that may come over the following weeks and months. May all of these efforts help us to slow the spread of COVID-19.
During this most difficult time we ask you to think of what you can do for others, and invite you to pray:
Our Lady of Guadalupe, in these times of tribulation we turn to you O Mother.
See with compassion the suffering of your beloved daughters and sons
affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic throughout the entire world.
Ask your Son to have mercy on us bringing healing to those infected and protection to all your children.
Jesus, Christ, savior of all people, grant us courage to accompany and pray
for the entire world in the wake of sorrow and uncertainty.
We seek refuge in you and according to your promise, deliver us from this danger.
Amen.