What You Need to Know

Below you will find some of the communications that have gone out to the employees and priests of the diocese, as well as links to those national and local resources which will provide you with the most detailed and recent information.

Video message from Bishop Joseph Kopacz on Morality of COVID Vaccines

Communications

Updated Directives – Sept. 3, 2021

Catholic School mask mandate – Aug. 12, 2021

Updated Guidance to Catholic Schools – July 25, 2021

Updated Directives – July 22, 2021

Letter from Bishop Kopacz lifting the dispensation effective June 5/6
[Spanish]

Updated Directives – May 18, 2021
[Spanish]

Updated Directives – April 30, 2021

Updated Safety Requirements for Catholic Schools (March 26, 2021)

U.S. Bishop Chairmen for Doctrine and for Pro-Life Address the Use of the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine

Note on the morality of using some anti-covid vaccines – from the Vatican/Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Updated Directives for Youth Ministry and Other Faith Formation Activities – March 1, 2021

Updated Directives – January 14, 2021

Return to Religious Education, Youth Ministry and Other Faith Formation Activities – January 14, 2021

Moral Considerations Regarding the New COVID-19 Vaccines

Updated Directives – December 4, 2020

Updated Directives for Parishes – November 19, 2020
[Spanish]

Updated Directives for Parishes – October 9, 2020

Directives for Re-Opening Churches for Public Worship (May 15, 2020)

Letter to Catholic School Families – Closure through end of 2019-2020 school year (Espanol)
Second Holy Week Message from Bishop Kopacz
Holy Week Message and Directives from Bishop Kopacz
Ring Bells in solidarity with healthcare professionals
Statement announcing suspension of Mass and Parish Ministries through April 30   (Espanol)
Letter to Catholic School Families – Closure through April 17 – March 20, 2020   (Espanol)
Letter to Catholic Schools and Early Learning Centers – School Closure Week 2 – March 17, 2020    (Espanol)
Statement from Bishop Kopacz on COVID-19 – Suspension of Mass and Parish Ministries Effective Immediately – March 17, 2020     (Espanol)
Coronavirus Update for Catholic Schools and Early Learning Centers – March 14, 2020
Dispensation from Sunday Mass Obligation – March 14, 2020     (Espanol)
Diocesan Response to Prevention of Coronavirus – March 13, 2020  
Coronavirus Update to Catholic Schools – March 13, 2020
Coronavirus Update to Early Learning Centers – March 13, 2020   (Espanol)
Letter of Diocesan Directives from Bishop Kopacz – March 9, 2020    (Espanol)
Notice: suspension of the distribution of the Precious Blood during the Eucharist – February 29, 2020

• Bishop Kopacz lifted the dispensation on June 5/6. Keep in mind that the Church always dispenses from the Sunday obligation when any of the faithful are confronting serious health concerns. Therefore, someone
  can validly make the decision to attend Mass during the week when pews are less crowded, and fulfill the Sunday obligation.
  
• Social distancing – 3 feet
• Masks are encouraged for those who are vaccinated and
  need to take precautions due to age or health condition; and
  for those children, youth, and adults who are not vaccinated.
  Families and individuals are to make the decision to use
  masks considering the risks involved, just as they do in other
  facets of their daily lives.

Helpful Links

Mississippi Today COVID Vaccine Guide
Center for Disease Control
Mississippi Department of Health
Mississippi Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline: 877-978-6453 (open 24/7)
Workspace and Household Cleaning
White House Coronavirus Guidance – March 16, 2020
COVID-19: The Crucial Role of Nurses in Public Health Emergencies