Sunday Obligation reinstated
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Bishop Monforton has announced that the dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and other holy days of obligation that was put in place on March 26, 2020 will cease on June 4, 2021. He writes: As such, canon 1247's obligation that "on Sundays and other holy days of obligation, the faithful are obliged to participate in the Mass" shall be in effect again in the Diocese of Steubenville as of June 5, 2021. Those who have a serious reason are exempt from attending Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation. This includes those who are ill, have significant health risk factors or care for someone who is immuno-compromised or ill, as well as those who have significant fear or anxiety of the coronavirus in a large group of persons. Nevertheless, these persons should observe the Lord's Day and are encouraged to spend time in prayer on Sunday, meditating on the Lord's Passion, Death, and Resurrection. To assist those who might not be able to attend Mass physically, we will continue to live-stream our Saturday Vigil Mass each week.