Tuesday, March 17th 2020, 12:52 pm
Public Mass in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has been suspended through Easter Sunday, April 12, in hopes to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Catholic Church said.
Archibishop of Oklahoma City, Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley, released the following statement:
“I know this will be difficult for many of us, especially our priests for whom the Mass and the Eucharist are the very center of our lives. Due to the continued rapid spread of COVID-19, we must take further steps to protect the community and our most at-risk parishioners, so everyone can remain safe during this health crisis.
"During this perilous time, I and all of our priests will continue to celebrate daily Mass and pray for your intentions, for the needs of the whole Church and for all those affected by the virus around the world.
"This season of Lent is a time for prayer, fasting and works of mercy. COVID-19 casts a new light on how we are being invited to pray, fast and practice mercy. I urge you to dedicate yourselves to prayer with deep faith and perseverance. Pray for yourselves and pray for others. I recommend to you the beautiful prayer of the rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet as well as spending time praying with the Church’s daily readings for the Mass even though we cannot attend Mass in person. Make visits and spend time in prayer before the Lord who is present in the tabernacle.
"Be assured, we will get through this together, relying on the riches of our Catholic faith and our trust in the Lord Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. You and your loved ones are in my prayers. May God bless you and keep you safe. Blessed Stanley Rother, pray for us.”
Coakley has implemented the following tempoary precautions for churches and schools through April 12:
March 17th, 2020
April 21st, 2020
March 28th, 2024
March 28th, 2024