By WHITNEE ICE
St. Joseph Post
Catholic parishioners are welcome to return to Sunday masses in person, beginning June first.
The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City – St. Joseph is encouraging the full participation in parish life once Bishop James Johnston lifts the general dispensation, put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.
Diocese spokeswoman Ashlie Hand says it’s safe to come back and participate in person.
“It’s time to come home,” Hand tells St. Joseph Post. “It’s time to the full participation in the mass as well as in parish life.”
Hand says it was incredibly difficult for parishioners to not attend mass during the pandemic.
“The ability to receive the body and blood of Jesus every Sunday, you know that is the summit of the practice of our faith,” says Hand.
Hand says she wants the public to know the doors are open.
“We welcome anyone who would like to experience the Catholic mass to come check us out and find a church that is near you,” says Hand. “We have 98 perishes and missions across 27 counties so there’s probably a Catholic church somewhere near you.”
Some parishioners are excused from in-person participation during Sunday mass and holy days of obligation including those who are vulnerable or are feeling ill.