Reopening our Churches

The Diocess of London thanks the faithful for their prayers and patience during the most recent lock-down. The sacrifice all have made to forego gathering for Mass in-person has been necessary to keep our fellow parishioners safe and help control the coronavirus pandemic. 

With the good news from the provincial government that the state of lock-down has been lifted across the Diocese of London, churches may reopen for the First Sunday of Lent, that is, with the celebration of the anticipated Mass of Saturday, 20 February. Those parishes and communities that will not be ready to reopen for the First Sunday of Lent may open on the Second Sunday of Lent, 27/28 February.

Because Mass on Ash Wednesday had to be missed, ashes can be destrbuted on the First Sunday or Second Sunday of Lent. Following the Blessing and Dismissal, parishioners can come forward, wearing their masks, as they would for Holy Communion. The ashes will be distributed by sprinkling a pinch of ashes on the top of the parishioner's head and they exit the church.

To find out if when your church will open, check their website, call or email them. You can find the contact information for all parishes in the Diocese at this link: https://dol.ca/parishfinder. 

All other restrictions that were in place before the lock-down was imposed on Boxing Day will be in effect again: 30% capacity limits, mandatory masks, physically-distanced seating, and cleaning protocols (to name some, but not all). 

The Diocese of London continues our prayers for all who are ill and their caregivers. May this holy and joyful season of Lent draw us ever deeper into the mystery of God’s love.