Some, but not all, bishops in California are canceling Masses.
Masses not cancelled in San Francisco archdiocese
Masses not cancelled in LA archdiocese
Not cancelled in Orange diocese
Not cancelled in Oakland, with partial exception for Contra Costa County.
Bishop Soto has decreed broad dispensation in Sacramento, but “Pastors are to continue offering Sunday Mass for those members of faithful who desire and are able to attend.”
From Bishop Barnes in San Bernardino: “We will continue to hold Masses in our parishes as scheduled.”
Masses are cancelled in San Diego
Masses suspended in San Jose
Dispensation granted but (apparently) Masses not cancelled in Stockton diocese.
Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa issues dispensation but does not cancel Masses, provides detailed instructions to priests/parishes.
Fresno: All daily and weekend Masses will be suspended as of Monday, March 16 through Sunday, March 29, 2020. (Policy updated weekly.)
Today the executives of six counties in the Bay Area, including San Francisco, essentially closed down normal living. Grocery stores and pharmacies can stay open. Everyone is directed to isolate at home unless the work in essential places or jobs – first responders, hospitals, etc. We are now directed to meet in crowds of no more than ten people, including at home. So no, you can’t go to mass no matter what the Bishop says. You aren’t supposed to be on the road driving. No bars, no restaurants, no movies, no plays, no walking around on the streets. Even the golf courses are closed.
We are not in normal times.
@ Bob One – Oh The Irony!!! Decent citizens of San Francisco are being admonished to stay indoors and almost imprison themselves … and yet … AND YET … the great hordes of foul-smelling sidewalk dwellers with the needle marks… are allowed to roam, loot, and soil the ground with their gut-churning effluvium and otherwise create mayhem on those same streets. They get away with this without so much as a sideways glance from the Mayor or Board of Supervisors whose ordinances effectively enfeebled SF law enforcement. I just shake my head in disbelief.
I’m not sure there are restrictions on driving. And it’s definitely not true that there is “no walking around on the streets”. At least not in San Francisco. The rule is that you can go out and about for essential services like food, and you are not restricted from taking brief walks so long as you don’t do it in groups and maintain a 6 foot distance. So walking tours would be out, but not to get some sunshine or walk a dog. It is really important that we stick close to what is actually factual, agreed?
I pray for the intercession of St Patrick on his coming feast day, that he and the other saints in our Church like St Anthony who converted so many will intervene and help many of those away from the faith, to open their hearts and minds during this time and call upon our Lord and return to the flock.
I must say I am happy the bars will now be closed many places on his feast day. St Patrick gave his life daily to save souls and help them find the truth of Christ, the Trinity, and the Sacraments; not to drink green beer.
I understand diocese that choose to keep masses open,I understand diocese that close masses. I understand restriting the cup. I understand restriting masses to fewer than 100 people. What I don’t understand is why EVERY bishop hasn’t granted a dispensation. Maybe they don’t feel that they don’t need to given that you aren’t obligated Sundays if you are ill, but the reality is that most people who get this disease don’t know they have it, but in fact may actually be greater vectors of the disease than those who are ill.
Whatever you do to the least of my brethern you do to me