We just received notice at the parish from the Diocese of Springfield that everything is now being shut down in the parishes due to the health crisis.
There will be no public Masses. There will be no extra-sacramental activities, such as fish fries or adult faith formation. The bishop is proclaiming a fast from the Eucharist itself. This is an unprecedented move, but one which is reasonable, in charity, to protect the faithful. As proposed by the bishop, the church will remain open during daytime hours for private prayer, and a schedule for individual confessions will be published.
Please read the letter, decree, and instructions which have been issued by Bishop Paprocki and are included here: Liturgical and Faith Life Changes due to Coronavirus – Springfield, IL 3-18-2020
Because the Red Cross Blood Drive scheduled for today is already set up, and because there is such a desperate need for blood, I am permitting this project to continue operations. PLEASE, if you are able and are otherwise healthy, PLEASE consider giving blood today. Walk-ins are accepted, appointments preferred. Thank you!
More information will follow as we figure things out, but I wanted this word to get to everyone ASAP. –Fr. Tom Donovan