Catholic parishes should focus on ministries “truly essential to our mission” and consider postponing in-person parish meetings, groups or initiatives, or move them fully online until Christmas due to the current “alarming surge” in COVID-19 cases, Archbishop Bernard Hebda told priests in a Nov. 20 letter.

He asked priests to “please continue to celebrate Mass and the sacraments, following our safety and sanitization procedures and protocols.”

He noted that Minnesota seems to be at “a critical point in the pandemic.”

Postponing non-essential events “would be consistent with the response of our Catholic school leadership, who are continuing to educate our children but pausing sports, Advent and Christmas performances, grandparent’s day celebrations, and all other extracurricular activities,” he said.

Archbishop Hebda reiterated his message in a video to the faithful shared Nov. 20 via the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ YouTube channel.

“These requests are difficult, but I believe that they are reasonable and for the common good,” he said in the letter to priests. “If by pausing optional activities in our parishes we can do our part to minimize the spread of the virus and keep hospital beds open, then we will be helping not only our at-risk sisters and brothers, but also the thousands of healthcare workers who are risking their health and that of their loved ones every time they go to work.”

Noting that Thanksgiving is approaching, he began his letter by expressing his gratitude for priests for the “many ways you serve Christ and his people daily.”

“Your steadfast leadership in our parishes, schools, and communities during this pandemic, and your commitment to the sacraments, humble and inspire me to be a better shepherd,” he said.

He also thanked them for how seriously they’ve taken archdiocesan protocols to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19 since the pandemic arrived in Minnesota in March.

“Despite these measures, many of you have had to deal with COVID-19 cases in your parishes and schools, and more than a few of you have been infected, too,” he said. “I implore you to redouble your efforts to keep people safe by maintaining safe distances, clean(ing) common surfaces and reminding people of the Minnesota requirement to wear a mask.”

While limiting activities to the essentials will look different for each parish, the action shows solidarity with “our sisters and brothers all over the state,” he said.

“I believe this will be our best opportunity to make sure that we will soon emerge from this dangerous phase and that our doors will be open in five weeks to celebrate the birth of Christ,”
he said.

He ended the letter with a request for prayers: “for an end to the pandemic, for those who have died and their loved ones, and for those who serve in healthcare and on the front lines.”