Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
May Christ’s peace be with you all!
St. Paul reminds us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). This is our first response to the ongoing threat of COVID-19. We put our trust and hope in the Lord always! After all, “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).
In support of Governor Ralph DLG Torres’ Declaration of State of Public Health Emergency, and to further the health and safety of all people of God in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, the clergy, religious sisters, and staff of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa have agreed to observe the following:
- After returning from the Philippines for the clergy annual retreat, priests and deacons will observe self-quarantine for fourteen (14) days. Thus, there will be no public Mass in all Churches in Saipan, Rota, and Tinian from March 17 to 28, 2020.
- Daily Eucharist, set for 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM will be celebrated at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral without the congregation. These Masses will be streamed live via Facebook, cable, and radio. A schedule from March 17 to 28 will be prepared for the priests to preside and deacons to assist. All Mass intentions in Saipan will be offered at the Cathedral. Mass in Rota and Tinian without the congregation will also be celebrated.
- It is part of Catholic tradition to practice “spiritual communion,” when it is not possible to participate fully at Mass and receive the sacrament – like when we are sick or homebound, or when we cannot attend Mass. When we make an act of spiritual communion, we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with Him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.
An Act of Spiritual Communion
My Jesus,
I believe that You
are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
- Churches will remain open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for those who would like to visit. We highly encourage observance of recommended social distancing. We advise those who are sick, the elderly, those of frail condition to stay at home, and to limit unnecessary movements.
- In the event that there is a funeral, we follow the CDC’s recommendation that gatherings are not to exceed fifty (50) people in attendance. The same recommendation applies to pre-scheduled weddings and baptisms that will take place from March 17-28, 2020. Social distancing should also be observed by not seating next to each other and by keeping some pews closed.
- The upcoming fiesta celebration at San Jose (Oleai) on Thursday, March 19, 2020 has been cancelled. However, the fiesta mass (Eucharist without congregation) will be streamed live via social media and radio. Santa Soledad and San Vicente fiestas will be announced later.
- CCD classes will be suspended from March 18 to April 14, 2020. CCD teachers will provide online resources to our students.
- The Annual Diocesan Youth Gathering on Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 will also be cancelled.
- Visiting the sick at the hospital and at homes will be done by Deacon Tony Yarobwemal and Deacon Stan Benavente upon request. Giving of communion to the sick at homes is temporarily suspended.
- Office hours at the Diocesan Curia and Cathedral Rectory remain the same: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (with lunch break from 12 noon to 1:00 P.M.) except on Saturdays and Sundays for the Curia and except Sundays for the Cathedral Rectory. Parishioners are advised to use minimize face-to-face contact and maximize telephonic or electronic options as primary points for information.
- After the quarantine period for clergy, we encourage our parishioners to receive the sacrament of reconciliation.
- Lent is a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. I encourage those who can to please donate canned goods and non-perishable items to KARIDAT. Many of our people lost their jobs and the request for assistance from KARIDAT has increased. Thank you.
We are still discerning on the activities for the weekend of March 28-29 and Holy Week. We will announce final arrangements as soon as possible.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, let us face this very complex and serious situation with calmness, vigilance and a great sense of the common good. Especially now that we are in the season of Lent, we realize that we are being called to understand the value of solidarity and more intense prayer. Let us seek consolation in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, who is always near, and who always feels compassion for the sick and the needy (Mt. 9:36).
Let us also entrust ourselves to the prayer of Mary, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, mother of the Church and mother of us all, especially the poor, the sick and all those who are doing their utmost best for the good of our community.
In Christ,
+Ryan P. Jimenez, D.D.
Bishop of Chalan Kanoa
