Archbishop Hebda and the Minnesota Bishops announce end of the Sunday dispensation of obligation, effective the weekend of July 3-4, 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I write to you with important news and a grateful heart. After much prayer,
consultation, and discussion, the Catholic bishops of Minnesota today announced that the
Sunday Mass obligation will return the weekend of July 3-4. I encourage each of you to
read the full text of the Minnesota bishops’ statement, which may be found here. It
includes the rationale for the decision, the importance of the return to the Mass,
and possible exceptions to the Sunday obligation. READ MORE...
MINNESOTA BISHOPS LETTER AND ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Returning to Mass: July 1 Marks End of Dispensation in MinnesotaThe COVID-19 pandemic has been a painful time of separation that necessitated, for a short
while, suspension of public Masses and the dispensation from the Sunday obligation to attend
Mass. Nonetheless, since May 2020, Minnesota’s bishops have made available the public
celebration of Mass to those who wished to attend. Parishes have done an amazing job creating
safe spaces for worship and the sacraments during the past year.
Now, as the pandemic subsides, and public gathering restrictions and safety protocols are lifted,
it is time to gather as the Body of Christ once again. Therefore, the bishops and diocesan
administrators of the Minnesota Catholic Conference have decided to reinstate the obligation to
attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation beginning the weekend of July 3-4, 2021.
READ MORE...
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