Dear Priests, Deacons, Religious and all members of the Joliet Diocesan Community,

Governor Pritzker has issued an order mandating a “stay in place” for all citizens of the State of Illinois.

The order is effective at 5:00 PM on Saturday, March 21st and has the following implications for the parishes/schools and institutions in the Diocese of Joliet. These restrictions remain in place until April 7th or otherwise notified by the Governor.

• All churches and adoration chapels must be closed and locked until the order is lifted by the governor. Private prayer in any parish building must be discontinued until the order is lifted.
• There can be no live Stations of the Cross or any other gatherings anywhere on parish/school property, nor can any parish personnel be involved in organizing them on any other site.
• All weddings and baptisms must be postponed and can be re-scheduled only once the order is lifted. There are no exceptions to this, regardless of the size of the group. However, in case of an extreme emergency for baptism, please seek the permission of your bishop.
• Funerals and wakes must be postponed until the order is lifted.
• (Note: Priests can – and are encouraged – to continue celebrating Mass privately and to livestream their Masses for their parishioners, if possible. Moreover, anointing of the sick and confession/absolution guidelines will be forthcoming.)
• Parish offices must be closed until the governor’s order is lifted.

It is clear that the response to COVID-19 is fluid and we will keep you apprised of developments and provide additional information as it becomes available.

I am fully aware that these and previous measures are disconcerting and disrupting that which is central in our lives. It is painful for all of us. At the same time, we recognize them as essential in order to eliminate the scourge of the virus.

Let us join in prayer to the loving and caring God that He be with us in these trying moments and lead to the elimination of this virus. We pray also for those suffering from the virus and for those that lost loved ones to the illness and all those serving at this time, especially the health care workers.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Richard E. Pates
Apostolic Administrator
Diocese of Joliet

My dear Sisters and Brothers in the Joliet Diocese,

Because of the rapid spread of the virus and in accord with the actions taken by the neighboring dioceses, all Church services, beginning with weekend Masses, daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, etc., in the parishes and institutions in the Diocese of Joliet will discontinue immediately.  This will remain in effect until it is prudently advisable to resume them. The diocese will make the decision as to when to resume them. The Sacrament of Penance may be administered when approached, in accordance with health guidelines.

After consultation, the Chrism Mass of April 6th will be celebrated at 7:00pm in the St. Francis Xavier Chapel of the Blanchette Catholic Center.  Arrangements are being made to involve limited numbers of priests as well as to live stream the ceremony.  Unfortunately, the afternoon of reflection with Archbishop Sartain as well as the clergy meal are canceled.   Hopefully, we can arrange a special clergy gathering once the “all clear” signal is sounded by health authorities.

The Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate of Sam Conforti is being transferred to the St. Francis Xavier Chapel of the Blanchette Catholic Center to be celebrated on Saturday, April 4th at 11:00am. The individuals attending the ceremony personally will be contacted by the Vocation Office. Plans are in place to live-stream the event.

The ceremonies of Holy Week beginning with Palm Sunday Celebration on April 4th through Easter are canceled in the parishes and institutions of the Diocese of Joliet. This radical step is most painful but is undertaken in the interests of the health of our parishioners and the broader community.  I know it was ever so difficult for the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to take this same step at the Vatican. If this should be changed, I will notify you immediately.

The diocesan, parish and institutional offices are to be closed except for priests and deacons to attend the pastoral needs of our parishioners.  Exception can be made for essential personnel at the diocesan and parish level on a very limited basis.

We are experiencing events unknown to us before. If we take sacrificial short-term measures, long-term beneficial outcome will come that much sooner.

My prayers, support and solidarity are with all in the Diocese.  I am confident that if we are calm and trusting in the assured Providence of a very loving God, we will survive this severe crisis in good mind and spirit.

With my support and heartfelt prayer, I remain, sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Richard E. Pates
Apostolic Administrator
Diocese of Joliet

My dear Sisters and Brothers in the Joliet Diocese,

Thank you very much for your cooperation with actions that have been taken to minimize, to the degree possible, the spread of COVID - 19 (coronavirus).  Your health, as well as the health of the public at large, have been my deepest concern. It is important that all of us cooperate with public leadership to make our efforts as effective as possible in containing this pandemic.

I fully realize and feel the painful loss along with you the cancellation of  Masses on weekends.  Because celebrating Mass is central to whom we are, I understand that its absence creates a palpable void.   However, out of genuine concern for the welfare of everyone, I believe it is prudent to cancel weekend Masses for the time being. 

Certain liturgical gatherings, namely daily Mass, funerals, and weddings are permitted provided that:

1. The service may not have an attendance in excess of 50 persons. This number is the current directive of Governor Pritzker. Going forward, our point of reference regarding numbers will be those issued by the Governor of Illinois.
    
2. Every precaution be taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

The attached liturgical accommodations are being implemented and parishes are called to curtail or cancel other non-essential gatherings. These two directives will be ended when it is prudently advisable.

I want to strongly encourage all of the faithful to continue our Lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Need experienced by those served by the Church continues, even especially so, at this time of crisis. Please consider reaching out to your local parish about the possibility of providing financial support or personal assistance.

Catholic Charities, which serves many of the poor and elderly in the Diocese of Joliet, has a special need for volunteers to serve those in vulnerable situations.  Please visit http://www.cc-doj.org for more information.

During this extraordinary time, our efforts throughout the community are to the benefit of all and are very much in accord with our identity as Christians.  Be assured your participation contributes significantly to the common good.

Once again, I am fully cognizant this is a time of severe uncertainty and fear. I promise my wholehearted prayer and support. Especially comforting is the realization that the Dear Lord accompanies us in our trials.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Richard E. Pates
Apostolic Administrator
Diocese of Joliet

Liturgical Accommodations during the COVID – 19 Pandemic

Diocese of Joliet

 Effective March 17, 2020 until prudently advisable to discontinue.

 Dispensation from the obligation of Sunday Mass is effective immediately.

1. The reception of Holy Communion should be by hand only…reception on tongue is temporarily suspended.
2. Reception of the Precious Blood is suspended.
3. The exchange of peace should be expressed verbally.
4. The Holy Water fonts should be emptied and not filled again. Our parishes could make the Holy Water available in containers by which parishioners could fill their own bottles.

Your cooperation with the foregoing is genuinely appreciated. While it is understood that the expected practices may be difficult for some, I assure you they are being undertaken for the common good and to significantly halt the spread of the virus.

Prayers are essential.  You are encouraged to intensify the classical Lenten practice of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Archbishop José Gomez, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has composed the following, beautiful prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, for our use at this time.