On March 17, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread in the United States, I announced that, as in other dioceses in the United States and throughout the world, the Diocese of Rockford was suspending the public celebration of Masses. 

 

At the same time, the obligation of attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation was also dispensed.

 

In the months that followed, as the fuller reopening of Masses occurred and with the more recent relaxation of other COVID-19 mitigation measures, such as masks and distancing for those who are vaccinated, the dispensation continued — until now.

 

This past week, I announced that beginning July 1, the Church’s traditional obligation on the faithful of attending Mass on Sundays and holy days will once more be in effect in the Diocese of Rockford. 

 

For over a year, we have heard people commenting how good it will be for us to “get back to normal” as we have longed for an end to the pandemic. Even though the normalcy of life has many dimensions, the full and regular practice of our faith should be at the top of the list. 

 

We should be grateful to God because the lifting of the dispensation means that with God’s help we have lived through this exceptional challenge, at least to this point. Like King David who offered sacrifice to God to relieve the people of the plague (2 Samuel 24:25), our prayers and sacrifices have been heard.

 

At the same time, we must be aware that even now, throughout the world and especially in poorer countries, the pandemic continues to devastate individuals and families and disrupts the practice of the faith. Our prayers for them must continue.

 

We need also to stop and reflect on the lessons we have learned over the last year. One is that we cannot take for granted the great privilege of our faith and especially of receiving the sacraments. Many of us have grown up with the unbroken possibility of attending Mass Sunday after Sunday, or going to confession regularly. This year has been a time to reflect on the fact that many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world do not have the same privilege of regular access to the sacraments, at times because of oppression or because of lack of priests. 

 

It also reminds us with the numbers of people attending Mass and receiving the sacraments diminishing each year, we need to ask if we have lost respect and fervor for the sacramental aspect of our union with Christ. 

 

Perhaps this is the time to reflect on our own need for renewal of appreciation for the greatest prayer of the Church which is the Mass. The obligation to attend Mass is not simply a burden imposed upon us. It is a practice that reflects our love for Christ who is present in the Eucharist which we receive in deep faith and not just as routine of the Mass. In the Church this acknowledgment needs profound renewal.There is the worry too, that some have grown too comfortable attending Mass virtually, in the comfort of home, and may not come back to the formality of Mass in person

 

Our obligation to attend Mass requires us to overcome any casualness before the presence of God. Even more, it reminds us that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist. Nothing can take the place of being Back in His Presence— His true Eucharistic presence.

 

Finally, we need to keep in mind that some will still not be comfortable attending Mass in a filled Church. For some, the virus has been a frightening matter that has not yet passed. For others, they have serious underlying medical conditions or, for whatever reason, have not received the vaccine at this time.

 

Each person must honestly examine their conscience, especially if they are truly not prepared to return to Mass yet for a very serious reason.

 

This situation continues to be complicated. But for all of us, it is a time to thank God for His graces and to ask for His continuous guidance for our faith and for our response to the COVID-19 outbreak.