Catholic Community

Since my decree of March 13, 2020, I have each day longed to be with you in person, to gather     you together  to celebrate  our sacraments  and to live together  the struggles  and losses that we  have faced.  We have so often been much more alone than we would like.  I am grateful for the   ways that we have been able to connect virtually. I am especially grateful for the ways that, with appropriate care for each other's safety, you have continued to support one another and assist the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters.  It is a source of great comfort to me that when you   were unable to receive Jesus in the Eucharist, you received  him in the poor and in those who are     at risk.

And so it is with great joy that in this decree I am able to restore the sacramental life of our Church. I do so aware of the care that this requires and of the ongoing danger of COVID-19 infection. I am also aware that many, due to age or underlying conditions, will still not be able to safely gather with our communities, even for sacramental purposes. It is essential that we continue to reach out to and support these brothers and sisters in every way that we can safely stay connected to them.

In my decree of March 13, 2020, I included a dispensation for all Catholics from the obligation
to participate in Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation. This dispensation remains in effect under this decree and will continue until I specifically revoke it.

I have studied the situation of the nineteen counties of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in collaboration with experts and the archdiocesan COVID-19 Task Force, and with the approval of the Presbyteral Council, I Decree that, public Sunday liturgy will resume beginning the weekend of the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord, May 23-24, 2020, and that they are to be celebrated in such a way as to follow the archdiocesan directives in Guidelines for Reopening Mass to the Public, and the regulations of civil authorities. I further Decree that parishes may once again celebrate public daily Mass beginning May 19, 2020, in preparation for and leading up to the Feast of The Ascension of the Lord, as long as they are able to follow the same directives and regulations.

As conditions change, and with each new phase of reopening the state of Texas as ordered by civil officials, I will issue additional directives , if necessary, considering the recommendations of health authorities and civil regulations, to help Pastors, Administrators and the Catholic community of the Archdiocese ensure the health of their specific community. Additional directives that I may issue will have the same force under this decree as the Guidelines for Reopening Mass to the Public.
 

This Decree becomes effective the 19th day of May, 2020, and remains in effect until revoked.
 

I ask you to continue praying so that we stay safe during the reopening process.
 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, in these times of tribulation we turn to you O Mother. 
See with compassion the suffering of your beloved daughters and sons
affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic throughout the entire world.
Ask your Son to have mercy on us bringing healing to those infected and protection to all your children.
Jesus Christ, Savior of all people, grant us courage to accompany and pray
for the entire world in the wake of sorrow and uncertainty.
We seek refuge in you and according to your promise, deliver us from this danger.
Amen

 
Given at the Chancery of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, this 11th day of May, in the year of our Lord, two thousand  and twenty. Sincerely in Christ,
+Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, MSpS
Archbishop of San Antonio

Click on the red tab titled:

“Guidelines for Reopening Mass to the Public”  or “Directrices para la Reapertura de la Misa al Público”

https://www.archsa.org/covid-19

Y asi es, con gran alegria, que en este decreto puedo restaurar la vida sacramental de nuestra Iglesia. Lo hago consciente del cuidado que esto requiere y del peligro continuo de infeccion por COVID-19. Tambien soy consciente de que muchos, debido a la edad o las condiciones subyacentes, aun no podran reunirse de manera segura con nuestras comunidades, incluso con fines sacramentales. Es fundamental que continuemos contactando y apoyando a estos herrnanos y herrnanas en todas las forrnas en que podamos estar conectados con ellos de manera segura.
En mi decreto del 13 de marzo de 2020 inclui una dispensa, para todos los catolicos, de la obligacion de participar en misa los domingos y otros dias santos de precepto. Esta dispensa perrnanece vigente bajo este decreto y continuara hasta que yo la revoque especificamente.
He estudiado la situacion de los 19 condados que integran el territorio de la Arquidiocesis de San Antonio en colaboracion con expertos y el grupo de trabajo arquidiocesano para el COVID-19, y con la aprobacion del Consejo Presbiteral, decreto que los actos liturgicos dominicales publicos se reanudaran a partir del fin de semana de la Solernnidad de la Ascension del Sefior, el 23 y 24 de mayo de 2020, y deben celebrarse de manera que se curnpla lo estipulado en las Directrices para la Reapertura de la Misa al Publico, asi como las regulaciones de las autoridades civiles.
Ademas decreto que las parroquias pueden celebrar nuevarnente la misa publica entre semana a partir del 19 de mayo de 2020, en preparacion para la Solernnidad de la Ascension del Sefior, siempre que puedan seguirse las mismas directrices y regulaciones.
A medida que cambien las condiciones y con cada nueva fase de reapertura del estado de Texas segun lo ordenen los funcionarios civiles, si es necesario emitire directrices adicionales, teniendo en cuenta las recomendaciones de las autoridades sanitarias y los reglarnentos civiles, para ayudar a los parrocos, administradores y a la comunidad catolica de la Arquidiocesis a garantizar la salud de su comunidad especifica. Las directrices adicionales que pueda emitir tendran la misma fuerza en virtud de este decreto que las Directrices para la Reapertura de la Misa al Publico.