April 2020

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon has continued to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic as needed, working with public health orders put in place to protect the community, especially the lives of the most vulnerable. 

A general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and Holy Days of Obligation ENDED as of April 2, 2022  (Letter from Bishop Mark Hagemoen)

A number of parishes are live-streaming Mass, with links published at saskatoonmass.com

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March 25, 2022 – UPDATE – Directives for Sacraments — including end of general dispensation from obligation to attend Mass – LETTER from Bishop Mark Hagemoen

Feb. 18, 2022 – UPDATE – Directives for Sacraments Beyond COVID-19 – Letter from Bishop

Nov. 2, 2021 Update – Re: Ongoing Concerns About the COVID-19 pandemic and government mandates – LETTER from Bishop Mark Hagemoen

Oct, 8, 2021 – “Vaccine Exemption” – Letter from Bishop Mark Hagemoen

July 2021 – Re-open Reference Guide PDF

“Please join with me in prayer for a rapid end to the COVID-19 virus. May God grant healing to those who are ill, and eternal rest to those who have died. May the Lord’s blessing come upon our medical professionals and civic authorities, who continue to strive with enormous effort and expertise to keep all of us safe.” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen, April 2020

Previous directives, updates and statements: LINK
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Vaccine:

Vatican statement on the morality of vaccines: Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

• March 11, 2021 – CCCB Clarification of March 9 Note on Ethical Concerns Related to Vaccines (English) / (French)
• March 9, 2021 – Canadian Catholic Conference of Bishops (CCCB) – Note on Ethical Concerns Related to Currently Approved COVID-19 Vaccines (English) / (French)
• March 3, 2021 – Information chart on vaccines and cell lines from the Lozier Institute, USA / Chart as PDF
• “COVID-19  Catholic commentary” – compiled by the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute – LINK 
• NEW – Conscience rights don’t stand alone: LINK to Article
• Crux interview with Fr. Matthew Schneider about ethical questions related to vaccines: LINK to Article
• How to Vaccinate Like a Catholic: A Guide Through the Prickly COVID-19 Issues by Brett Salkeld – LINK to Article
• The Pillar: “The ultimate Catholic coronavirus vaccine morality explainer” – LINK to Article
• Letter from Bishops of Alberta and NWT re: morality of vaccine: LINK to Letter
• Zoom call to faith leaders about vaccine rollout: LINK to article | NOTES (English) | NOTES (French)
• Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute – resources concerning COVID-19 and vaccine – LINK to CCBI website
• Interview with Dr Moira McQueen: Explaining why Catholics should get the COVID-19 vaccine: LINK to video
• Charlotte Lozier Institute: LINK
• Children of God for Life: LINK
• Canada’s COVID-19 Immunization Plan – Health Canada website – LINK

“Please join with me in prayer for a rapid end to the COVID-19 virus. May God grant healing to those who are ill, and eternal rest to those who have died. May the Lord’s blessing come upon our medical professionals and civic authorities, who continue to strive with enormous effort and expertise to keep all of us safe.” – Bishop Mark Hagemoen, April 2020

Other resources and information:

• Call 811 with health concerns
• COVID-19 symptoms and treatment (LINK)
• Saskatchewan Coronavirus Information (English LINK)
• Saskatchewan Coronavirus Information (French LINK))
• PHAC-infographic-about-coronavirus-disease-covid-19 /  ASPC-a-propos-maladie-coronavirus-covid-19

CCCB National Liturgy Office – Copyright information on streaming and video-recording liturgical celebrations

Links to a variety of faith resources

Infographic from Archdiocese of Toronto

CCCB statement on Coronavirus COVID-19 – EN   /  CCCB statement on Coronavirus COVID-19 – FR

Letter to faith leaders from Dr. Theresa Tam, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada – April 3, 2020