UPDATE MARCH 17: ALL Masses have been cancelled, including weekday Masses.

In a statement issued on Friday, March 13, 2020, Christian Riesbeck, CC Bishop of the Diocese of Saint John announced that the Catholic bishops of New Brunswick have decided to cancel all weekend Masses until further notice beginning March 21. St. Raphael’s has also cancelled all Catechism classes until further notice. Read the statement below.

Dear brothers and sisters,

In light of the continued spread of Covid-19, and of the advice being given by provincial health authorities to limit gatherings of people to no more than 150, in order to protect the vulnerable among us, the Catholic bishops of New Brunswick have decided unanimously to cease the celebration of all Saturday evening and Sunday Masses in all four New Brunswick dioceses until further notice beginning March 21/22.

Catechism classes will be suspended as well until further notice. For the time being weekday Masses and baptism, funerals or weddings may be celebrated as long as they respect the limit of 150 people. Confessions will still be offered at the usual times and churches will remain open and accessible at the regular times for private prayer.

The Catholic people of the Diocese of Saint John are dispensed from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass for the duration of this suspension of weekend Masses. Our people are asked to watch Mass on television, pray the rosary, read the Scriptures, or otherwise pray as long as Sunday Mass is not possible. These preventive measures will be reviewed prior to Holy Week. Please keep the sick, and all who care for them in your prayers.

Sincerely in Christ,

+Christian Riesbeck, CC
Bishop of Saint