The Diocese of Syracuse has been in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is actively following the directive of the county public health departments to ensure that all diocesan parishes, schools, ministries, and charities are responding appropriately to the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
Update: 12/22/2020
Important message from Bishop Lucia
Update: 12/16/2020
Update: 11/10/2020
Update for Onondaga County:Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that areas within Onondaga County are now subject to New York's Yellow Zone. The full list of municipalities in the zone includes the City of Syracuse and towns of Lysander, Clay and Salina. The villages of Solvay and East Syracuse are included as well.Yellow Zone — Precautionary Zone
- Houses of Worship: 50 percent capacity
- Public Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
- Businesses: Open
- Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining, 4 person maximum per table
- Schools: Open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings. The New York State Department of Health will establish a percentage of teachers and students/staff who need to be tested by Friday.
Fines for the sponsors of public gatherings in violation of state public health rules will be increased to $15,000.To view a map of the yellow zone area, click here. To learn more about the cluster action initiative and the three zones, click here. To check if your location is in a zone, click hereBishop Lucia urges all diocesan entities to continue to be vigilant in adhering to all safety protocols: 6ft. distancing, registrations, hand sanitizers, and sanitizing areas.
Update: 10/7/2020
Yellow Zone — Precautionary Zone
- Houses of Worship: 50 percent capacity
- Mass Gatherings: 25 people maximum, indoor and outdoor
- Businesses: Open
- Dining: Indoor and outdoor dining, 4 person maximum per table
- Schools: Open with mandatory weekly testing of students and teachers/staff for in-person settings. The New York State Department of Health will establish a percentage of teachers and students/staff who need to be tested by Friday.
Bishop Lucia urges all diocesan entities to continue to be vigilant in adhering to all safety protocols: 6ft. distancing, registrations, hand sanitizers, and sanitizing areas.
6/06/2020: It was announced that Houses of Worship in NYS are permitted to use 25% capacity of their buildings for religious services. Houses of Worship may utilize 33% of their building capacity with 6ft. distancing to celebrate Mass. Please submit your Parish Pandemic Planning Form when you are ready to reopen.
Reopening of Churches
A Letter From Bishop Lucia Welcome Back! - 7/1/2020
A Closer Look with Father Christopher Seibt: Returning to Church
Bishop Lucia's Letter to the People - 5/27/2020
Bishop Lucia is permitting the celebration of Mass beginning the Solemnity of Pentecost with these specific guidelines and instructions.
Spiritual Resources
Caring for Our Spiritual and Sacramental Lives While Public Gatherings Are Suspended
Decrees and Dispensations related to COVID 19
Decrees and Dispensations related to COVID-19
Decrees and Dispensations related to COVID-19
Decrees and Dispensations related to COVID-19
Novena Prayer for an End to the Coronavirus Pandemic
Livestreaming Mass on Facebook
USCCB President’s Reflection and Prayer During Coronavirus
Stream Daily Mass through Syracuse Catholic Television
Resources
Protect yourself from COVID-19
USCCB - Written Versions