Diocese of Fresno Announces COVID-19 Protective Measures 3/16-31

The Diocese of Fresno says all Catholic schools, all daily and weekend masses and more will be suspended as of Monday, march 16th through Sunday, March 29th to minimize the effects of COVID-19.

DIOCESE OF FRESNO COVID-19 PROTECTIVE MEASURES
EFFECTIVE MARCH 16, – 31, 2020
TO BE UPDATED WEEKLY.
Following consultation with the California Conference of Catholic Bishops, Government
Agencies and Diocesan Administrative Cabinet, Bishop Joseph V. Brennan mandates
the following directives that will go into effect on Monday, March 16 through Tuesday,
March 31, 2020. The Diocese of Fresno will provide weekly updates on its website at
www.dioceseoffresno.org and consider an extension of these directives if needed.
ALL daily and weekend Masses will be suspended as of Monday, March 16 through
Sunday, March 29, 2020. Urgent pastoral needs will be responded to according to each
parish’s Pastor’s/Administrator’s directives.
ALL parish operations, activities, ministries, meetings of any kind, etcetera, will be
suspended from Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29, 2020.
ALL Catholic Schools will be closed beginning Monday, March 16 through Sunday,
March 29, 2020. This means that campuses will be closed. There will be no classes,
events, extended day services or any athletic practices allowed at the Catholic school
sites in this diocese. It is our hope that on site classes can resume on Monday, March
30; unless, closure is extended by mandate of Governor Newsom.
ALL other operations such as the Diocese’s two retreat centers in Three Rivers,
California, all Catholic Charities sites and Cemeteries will release separate
announcements as applicable to public participation.
ALL diocesan employees are to remain at home beginning Monday, March 16 through
Sunday, March 29, 2020, unless directed otherwise. Employees who have the capability
of working remotely will be required to do so.
Phones at the Diocesan Pastoral Center Offices and Departments will be monitored on
a regular basis.
ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF FRESNO
Office of Communications
Page | 2
Masses being celebrated this weekend will allow our clergy an opportunity to speak with
their parishioners who chose to attend so that they may be better informed and assured
that these protective measures are necessary out of care and concern for all God’s
people.
This is a moment to deepen our commitment to the very principles which define us as
Catholic Christians who have faith in God which leads to Charity and binds us together
in Unity. There will likely be many opportunities in coming weeks to live out these
principles in service to our families and communities. This is indeed a difficult time. It
calls for strength, faith and commitment with cooperation and collaboration with health
organizations to minimize the effects of COVID-19.
To support the faithful and the community, the diocesan website will provide updates,
live streaming of Masses and resource material for private devotions and prayer at
www.dioceseoffresno.org