CHARLOTTE — With in-person Mass attendance restricted in Diocese of Charlotte churches due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bishop Peter J. Jugis announced he is allowing pastors to schedule additional Christmas Vigil Masses to accommodate more worshipers Dec. 24.
Typically, vigil Masses cannot be held before 4 p.m., but for Christmas Eve this year more vigil Masses may be celebrated, if needed, starting as early as 1 p.m. Dec. 24. The restriction on each priest to be allowed to offer, at most, three Masses on a calendar day remains.
Catholics are strongly encouraged to check their parish’s website for times and directives on their Christmas Mass schedule, as some parishes are using online ticketing or reserve seating sign-ups to limit church capacity and ensure worshipers can sit safely distanced in the pews.
Diocesan leaders are encouraging people to wear face coverings while at all church functions as an executive order mandating a greater use of face coverings has been issued. Although religious services are constitutionally protected and exempt from the order, December has a number of feast day celebrations that typically attract large numbers of people.
Bishop Jugis also reminds all Catholics in the diocese that the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday or holy days of obligation remains waived. Please exercise prudential judgment in deciding whether to attend Mass. People who are ill or vulnerable to infection are urged to stay at home and attend Mass virtually on TV or streamed live online. (Find a Mass online.)
The dispensation from Mass does not remove the obligation to keep the Lord’s Day holy: seek to refrain from work, spend time in prayer individually and as a family, and extend charity to others. If you are unable to attend Mass in person, you are encouraged to make a spiritual communion.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter