Reinstating the General Obligation to Attend Mass

Here is link to the Letter from Catholic Bishops of New Jersey.

In other words, the ‘Mass Pass’ has expired. And just like that, we can all gather again to worship our Lord at Mass and in church! No more TV Mass from your recliner…

As you would expect in dealing with government institutions and church edicts, there are a ‘litany’ of exceptions as delineated below.

This obligation to attend Sunday Mass in person does not apply to:

1. those who are ill;
2. those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness;
3. those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or
4. those with serious underlying health conditions.

For the rest of us, that means we’re back in the pews come the weekend of June 5/6. Per updated guidance from New Jersey, mask mandates (including indoors) and social distancing will be lifted on Friday, May 25 and St. Catherine’s will abide by those updated protocols. As always, if you are uncomfortable, you can continue to wear a mask.

Here is the official line coming out of Metuchen:

At this time, due to the observance of public safety protocols and the increase in the availability of vaccines, we have begun a return to some sense of normalcy in various sectors of our society.

Therefore, we the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey, are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation beginning on Saturday, June 5, 2021, and Sunday, June 6, 2021, Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. We welcome the Christian faithful to return to the regular participation in the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law canon 1247 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180). 

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult the local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 87). 

Finally, liturgical directives (communion in the hand, communion under one species, etc.) in each New Jersey Diocese remains in place until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop. 

We look forward to seeing you and joining with you in solemn prayer as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist!