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+ For all the defundi Bruno family
Dear Clergy, Religious and Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Toronto,
In light of the government announcement of June 8, 2020 regarding the re-opening of places of worship, I would like to provide additional direction to all parishes on our re-opening timeline after consulting with the Council of Priests and Episcopal Board.
While the government has indicated that places of worship may open as of 12:01 a.m. on June 12, we recognize the extensive protocols that must be in place to safely re-open our churches. These include the training of clergy, staff and volunteers as well as ensuring appropriate cleaning supplies, signage and capacity control mechanisms can be prepared. Mindful that we are still in a period of pandemic, our goal is to ensure we can welcome the faithful and provide a safe environment for all.
Recognizing these challenges and balancing them with the understandable desire of the faithful to return to their spiritual home, I would ask all parishes to adopt the following timeline: opening churches for private prayer/adoration, moving to daily Mass for the public and finally returning to Sunday Masses throughout the archdiocese.
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Please note that as per government direction regrading capacity, churches are limited to 30 per cent of their worship space. Funerals and weddings are restricted to 10 people including the presider at this time.
Before opening the church, the pastor must be satisfied that the Archdiocese of Toronto "Return to Church" guidelines can be followed. If there are concerns regarding the ability to follow these guidelines in his parish, he should consult with the regional bishop.
I continue to provide dispensation from the Sunday Mass for those who may not be able to attend for health reasons or due to capacity restrictions. St. Michael’s Cathedral will continue to livestream Masses – parishes may choose to do so for a period of time during this transition period or publicize the cathedral livestream, DailyTVMass.com as well as Masses offered through Salt & Light Catholic Television, EWTN and others.
I recognize there will be a period of adjustment and transition as we move to this new phase of operations. I also extend my sincere gratitude for all that you have done during this period of closure and for the effort you are taking to prepare and implement this new chapter in an extraordinary year.
We continue to remember in prayer those who have suffered during this period of pandemic and for all those who continue to care of them.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Thomas Cardinal Collins Archbishop of Toronto
Earlier today, Premier Ford made an announcement regarding the re-opening of places of worship, in light of restrictions that have been in place for the last number of months relating to the coronavirus pandemic.
We thank Premier Ford and Minister Monte McNaughton (who coordinated and liaised with faith communities during this period of pandemic), for their efforts in recognizing the importance of places of worship for so many Ontarians. We also appreciate the opportunity for constructive dialogue over the last number of weeks regarding our concerns and suggestions for a path forward.
I am grateful to Catholics throughout the archdiocese for their patience and understanding as we worked collectively to minimize the potential spread of COVID-19 over the past several months. I am also keenly aware that closing our more than 200 Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Toronto has been a painful and difficult period for all of us.
As announced by Premier Ford, there will be capacity restrictions (30 per cent) as we move to an initial phase of re-opening our churches. We will also be employing measures to ensure the safety of all those who worship at Catholic churches throughout the archdiocese. Our full re-opening plan and timing of its implementation will be issued publicly later this week after we have the opportunity to consult our Council of Priests and provide in-service sessions for clergy and staff.
We very much look forward to returning to the celebration of the sacraments in our churches as we continue to pray for all those who are sick, those who have died and for all those front-line workers who are serving so faithfully.
We have witnessed shocking events, most recently the violent death of George Floyd, that have prompted protests and important conversations both in the United States and our own country, on the topic of racism and violence. In our own archdiocese, there have been peaceful demonstrations and dialogue based on our local reality and concern for one another.
It is important that, in these conversations, we authentically listen to the plight of those who have been victims of racism, intolerance and violence. I firmly believe on these occasions that we should all listen more than we speak, in order to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the suffering of others.
While we enjoy one of the most ethnically diverse faith communities in North America, we must continue to remind ourselves daily to follow the example of Jesus to love one another as ourselves without exception. Racism knows no boundaries and it remains a present day challenge that must not be ignored.
We join together in prayer for victims of racism, violence and intolerance and for those who are working peacefully to effect change. May each one of us reflect the loving face of Jesus to all those whom we encounter on the journey.
Update from the Archdiocese of Toronto
The decision to close our parish churches on March 24, 2020, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic was a very difficult one and we recognize the tremendous spiritual sacrifice of the faithful during this time. We also want to do all that we can to minimize the potential spread of Covid-19 in our community.
We know that you have questions and are anxious to return to your local parish. This update will let you know where we are at present and what we’ve been doing to prepare for the days ahead.
Thank you for your continued patience. We join in collective prayer, anticipating the day that we may all be together once again.
Reverend Massey Lombardi died on Friday, May 22, 2020. Father Lombardi was 80 years old and in his 46th year of the priesthood. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 4, 1974.
Father Lombardi was Director of the Office of Social Action for the Archdiocese of Toronto, Chaplain to St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School in Maple and Pastor of St. Wilfrid’s Parish for 18 years (1997-2015) North York.
With the generosity of St. Wilfrid's Parishioners, friends and family, he had also funded some major projects in Lugazi, Uganda through Fr. Emmanuel Walakira- and the project was called "Holy Cow".
He was responsible for the creation of the Toronto Peace Garden at Nathan Phillips Square. Father Lombardi retired in 2015 and was in residence at Houses of Providence.
Funeral will be held at a later date.
We pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty.
We would like to share with you a reflection from Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto, related to the pandemic, sacramental restrictions and planning for a return to sacramental life.
In the communication, His Eminence references a number of working groups that have been planning for the days and weeks ahead as we all look forward to when our churches will be open for worship. Both the Archdiocese of Toronto and your local parish will keep you informed as we prepare to re-open our churches, at a time when it is safe to do so. You can visit your local parish website or stay updated online at: www.archtoronto.org/covid19.
Please take a moment to view the letter from Cardinal Collins here.
Thank you for your continued patience. We join in collective prayer, anticipating the day that we may all be together once again.
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