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Message from Bishop Francis Kalabat Regarding the Coronavirus

Issued March 11, 2020
Southfield, Michigan

To all the faithful,

The Coronavirus has caused us to take action in the following manner of how we pray and come together to worship. To help curtail the spread, we are taking the following steps:

  1. We have removed all holy water from the Churches.
  2. The peace during the Mass will not be given by hand received by the deacons, but instead will only be a blessing from the priest.
  3. Please receive communion only by hand and not by mouth. We are aware that this might be difficult for some, but this is necessary.
  4. If anyone feels sick, please stay home. God has already accepted your will to come.

Let us beseech the Lord during this Holy season of Lent in repentance that He may have mercy on us and overcome this widespread virus.

Thank you and may God bless us as we go through this difficult issue.

Most Reverend Francis Y. Kalabat
Bishop of St. Thomas the Apostle
Chaldean Catholic Diocese U.S.A.