BISHOP SUSPENDS SUNDAY OBLIGATION

The Diocese of Albany is temporarily dispensing with the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus, which poses serious - and potentially fatal - health risks.

For now, public Masses, however, will continue to be offered in most cases.

“Be it ever so humble, home is the safest place to weather a storm. Until this current health crisis passes, the best thing we can do to take care of ourselves and one another is not to wander aimlessly, but to stick together with purpose. We can stay comfortable at home and we can comfort one another,” Bishop Scharfenberger wrote in a letter to the faithful.

For Catholics who cannot attend Mass in their areas due to restrictions or health issues, the Diocese has put together a page of spiritual resources, including links to daily Scripture readings and televised Masses, for those who would like to pray along with the Mass at home. Visit www.rcda.org/coronavirus/resources. In addition, the Diocese continues to provide updated guidelines related to preventing the spread of Coronavirus at liturgical celebrations, as well as links to national and statewide guidelines at www.rcda.org/coronavirus.

The coronavirus which has turned into a worldwide pandemic, has been particularly deadly to older adults and people with underlying medical conditions. There are now 325 confirmed cases in New York State in 14 counties.

The Catholic School Office of the Diocese of Albany announced Friday, March 13, that all Catholic schools will be closed from March 16-20, out of an abundance of caution in response to the spread of the coronavirus. 

The news comes on the heels of Gov. Andrew Cuomo announcing restrictions on large events and gatherings on Thursday, March 12. The restrictions include cancelling or postponing events with 500 or more people in attendance; any gathering under 500 people will be required to cut capacity by 50 percent; only medically necessary visits will be allowed at nursing homes to protect the most vulnerable. Cuomo also announced the first public, drive-through testing facility on the East Coast in New Rochelle will start testing people on Friday, March 13. The state has also partnered with BioReference Laboratories to run an additional 5,000 coronavirus tests per day and received the approval of the Food and Drug Administration to use 28 private labs for testing.

"The spread of this coronavirus is not going to stop on its own, and we know that mass gatherings have been hotspots for the virus to infect large numbers of people quickly," Cuomo said. "To help contain it, we are instituting limits on large events as well as new measures to protect our most vulnerable populations — including people in nursing homes — and preparing our healthcare system to be able to deal with any future capacity issues. While the context is key and the anxiety is outpacing the facts of this situation, we will continue taking aggressive action to protect public health and prepare for any future spread of this virus."  

"Our number one priority is protecting the public health and every action the Governor and the State of New York have taken thus far have been in furtherance of that goal," said Dr. Howard Zucker, state health department commissioner. "Public health experts have been clear that limiting large public gatherings where there is potential for close contact is a critical way to slow the spread of this virus. This regulation will help keep people healthy and safe."

There have been a slew of cancellations and postponements due to the coronavirus, including most St. Patrick’s Day Parades, the NCAA Tournament, The Masters and all major sports leagues have shut down. Siena College announced Friday that following its extended spring recess, all classes will transition to a remote learning format from March 23-April 8.

“As long as the threat of COVID-19 persists, we believe the risk is simply too high for students to return to campus,” said Margaret E. Madden, Ph.D., interim president. “We hope the disease is contained by the end of the Easter holiday and students will be able to finish the academic year together, with classes resuming on campus Tuesday, April 14. In the meantime, we must embrace a distance learning model for the protection and well-being of our students and community.”