Message from Bishop Callahan

In light of the continued concern surrounding spreading the coronavirus COVID-19, and the advice of medical experts across the country and especially in our State, all public Masses in the Diocese of La Crosse will be canceled beginning 20 March 2020 until further notice. All fish fries, parish gatherings, etc. are also canceled. Please note, however, churches will remain open for private prayer. I am urging the faithful to remember in their prayers all of our brothers and sisters whose personal lives and the lives of their families have been affected by this disease. Visit diolc.org/pray to send me your personal prayer intentions. At this point we are hopeful to resume public Mass by 1 May. As you know, these plans and regulations change every day. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to shorten this time frame or any of these regulations. This, of course, is unprecedented in our lives and we rely on the providence of Almighty God and His Holy Mother. Please stay well and take every precaution to do so. Be aware of my prayers and my confidence in our protection under the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

    Since Bishop Callahan released this message yesterday, Governor Evers has decreed that groups are not to exceed 10 people as of 5:00 pm Tuesday.  Beginning Friday, March 20, in accordance with Bishop Callahan's order, regularly scheduled parish Masses are cancelled.  Know that I will be offering Mass each and every day in private for the intentions requested as well as for a quick and safe conclusion to the present crisis.

     All three of our parish churches will be open for the faithful, in accord with Catholic practice and Bishop Callahan's decree.  Please be careful to respect Governor Ever's order that there be no more than 10 people in the church at any one time.  I know that some may consider this order to be over-kill, even unfair given the exemptions detailed in his order.  However, we do owe legitimate authority our obedience in such matters.

     Since communal Confession services are now cancelled I will be posting a schedule of Confessions, hopefully by tomorrow.  Note too that there will be other postings with ideas and resources for continuing our pilgrimage of faith.