We regularly livestream our 8:00 a.m. weekday and all of our weekend Masses for our Homebound parishioners so they are able to continue being a part of our St. Bernard Community, if only remotely. More and more I am encountering individuals who have said to me that they no longer come to Mass in person but they do watch it remotely. These are able-bodied individuals who participate in all other family and outside activities but have decided NOT to attend Mass in person. As your pastor, I must reiterate here (as I have to the individuals that brought this to my attention) that the obligation to attend Mass in person is required and watching on-line does not fulfill a Catholic’s obligation to attend Mass. Of course those who are ill and homebound are exempt from this obligation. As a priest, I have spoken about this grave concern with other priests and there are some pastors who have decided to stop livestreaming so as not to encourage lax behavior by parishioners who are able to attend in person but simply choose not to. I really do not want to take this step for the sake of our homebound parishioners but feel obligated, at a minimum, to remind everyone that attending mass in person, which allows for Holy Communion, is seriously important for Catholics. Please pass this information on to your family members and encourage everyone to come back to Mass and Holy Communion! We miss our parishioners who have yet to return. We have to ask ourselves if we are going out then we have no excuse not to come to Mass.
May God bless you and I pray you all remain well and in God’s good graces. Peace, Msgr. Randy