Churches suspend masses due to Covid

Several churches of the archdiocese have suspended masses after two priests were infected with Covid19 last week.

Fr. Domingo Florida, parish priest of Immaculate Concepcion Parish posted this on Facebook: “As precautionary measure for the safety of our Mass goers, with the approval of our City Covid Officials and by our Archbishop, Most Rev. Rolando J. Tria Tirona, OCD, DD, the Parish of the Immaculate Conception, Concepcion Pequeña, Naga City, ON ITS OWN INITIATIVE, is temporarily suspending all Masses starting this Saturday afternoon (July 25) until Tuesday (July 28).

The allotted period will allow us to thoroughly disinfect our Parish Church. We do not want to compromise the safety and health of our Parishioners and Mass goers, thus, this decision.

Be assured of our prayers and let us not put down our guard against this novel corona virus. Please strictly observe the health protocol of our beloved City and of the Parish”.

Fr Romel Dacoco of Quipayo Parish Calabanga and Fr Rolando Canonce of St Therese Parish, San Jose Pili CS likewise suspended their their masses.

DOH last July 25 announced that Bicol Covid #337 and #338 are priests of the Holy Rosary Major Seminary and of Camaligan CS. As a protocol, the local IATF immediately lockdowned the said religious institutions.

The entire archdiocese appeal for prayers and support as we combat this dreaded virus of Covid19.

Meanwhile a netizen, Ms Anntonette Eduardo posted a reaction of support to our priests infected with Covid. “Since the start of this pandemic, all of us have been gravely affected. We have all been susceptible to acquiring the virus that we had no choice but to stop our normal day-to-day activities in order to be sure that we are all safe. And our parish was not spared from such misfortune. They too had to endure the fear of the unknown. They had to make a lot of adjustments just to meet the mandate of the national government and at the same time cater to our spiritual needs as Roman Catholics. They have been praying for us & continuously boosts our morale even though they themselves were/are going through such difficult times as well. They would always go the extra mile in lending a helping hand to those in need — even accomodating evacuees inside the church when a strong typhoon hit us. I can go on enumerating all the wonderful things they had done for us, but allow me to just say these words to sum up everything I want to say about our Parish and/or Priests— THEY HAVE BEEN SUCH A BLESSING TO US IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE”

So please, let’s never look down on our Parish/Priests. Just like what we have been trying to do for the rest of our community, our Parish & Priests also deserve all the love & support they can get from us. Now is not the time for pointing fingers. Now is the time to put our palms together to start praying for each and everyone, and may we always include our Parish & Priests in our prayers. Let’s pray that they may always have the courage to surpass all the obstacles that’ll come their way because, whether we admit it or not, they spiritually sustain us.