Letter from Fr. Harlow on Schedule Changes

Dear Parishioners at the Cathedral of St. Joseph,
            As you know, in order to contain the spreading of the Corona Virus, the government is asking public places where people gather to be closed for at least 4 weeks, if not longer.  This closure also affects churches throughout the country, not just in Vermont.  Therefore, please be advised of the following changes at the Cathedral:

• The last public Mass will be on the Solemnity of St. Joseph Thursday March 19 at 7:00PM with Adoration at 5:00PM followed by the Rosary at 6:30PM. There will be NO Masses from that date forward until announced otherwise.  I will continue to say private Masses (that is, without a congregation) for the Mass intentions of that particular day. There is no need to re-schedule a Mass unless you want to be present for it later in the spring.
• All public devotions are cancelled, including: Religious Education, Stations of the Cross, Healing Services, Nursing Home visits or private home visits.  EXCEPTIONS: Last rites for someone in danger of dying or the Anointing of the Sick before surgery.
• Funerals will be scheduled in co-ordination with the policy of the Funeral Home.
• Joseph House will be by appointment only.  No walk-ins.  Visit their website for information: https://www.josephshousevt.org/  or call 951-4290.

PLEASE NOTE:
The upstairs chapel of Church will be open for private prayers from 7-8PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.  Please come to the church and pray for the end of this virus.  If you are experiencing cold or virus symptoms, stay home.  I will be there for the entire hour.
Confessions will be available on Saturdays 2-3PM and Monday evenings 7-8 PM, as usual.
INFORMATION:  To keep current with schedule changes, please go to the parish website: https://stjosephcathedralvt.org/ or call the office 658-4333.
Bulletins will be made available on-line, and anybody wishing to receive one can have it mailed to his or her home upon request. Please keep in mind these changes are only for a few weeks.
Offertory: I would be very grateful, if you would please continue to send in your weekly donations. Like you and every other organization, our income is going to sustain a huge loss by missing a month or more of Masses and offertory income.
Let us pray through the intercession of Bishop Louis de Goesbriand for a quick end to this dangerous virus.
            I will keep you close to my priestly heart at the altar and in my daily prayers,
Very Reverend Lance W. Harlow
                                                                                                Rector