Faithfully serving Catholics in Cedar Rapids, IA since 1858

Latest Message from Archbishop Michael Jackels: March 23, 2020

Abstaining from meat

• The Catholic faithful in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are dispensed from the obligation to abstain from meat on Friday, 27 March 2020 and on Friday, 3 April 2020. 
• This dispensation does not apply to Good Friday, 10 April 2020. 
• This dispensation is granted in view of the difficulty people might have in finding meal alternatives to meat, or to go out for grocery shopping.
• The Fridays of Lent remain days of prayer and penance. Those who are able to abstain from meat, should do so. Those who aren’t able to abstain, should perform some other act of penance. 
• An example of an alternative penance might to bear up silently and with calm under the extra-ordinary strains and burdens of being cooped up at home.

Solemnity of the Annunciation

• Just a reminder: All of the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque are invited to join in a day of fast, abstinence, and prayer on Wednesday, 25 March 2020; this is voluntary, not obligatory.
• On that day, people ordinarily bound on Ash Wednesday to fast (only one full meal, taking less at the other meals) and abstain from meat are invited to make those same sacrifices. And as far as prayer is concerned, the Rosary is recommended as a powerful prayer, prayed alone or with others. 
• Our Holy Father Pope Francis has asked that, on that day, everyone who glories in the name Christian pray the Our Father to beg God: for speedy deliverance from the evil of the coronavirus; for those who are sick or who live in fear of infection; for those who care for the sick and elderly; for those who live in fear for their lives and livelihood: and that we might all remain calm and confident in God’s wisdom, power, and goodness.

Friday, 27 March 2020

• This coming Friday, at 12 Noon local time, everyone is invited to participate spiritually via livestream (at vaticannews.va) in a special moment of prayer presided over by our Holy Father Pope Francis. 
• The Pope will be on the sagrato (front steps) of St. Peter’s Basilica. There will be readings from Sacred Scripture, prayers of supplication, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• At the conclusion, the Holy Father will give a special urbi et orbi (to the city of Rome and to the world) blessing. Those who participate livestream can gain the plenary indulgence attached to the Pope’s blessing. 
• To gain the plenary indulgence, in addition to participating in the prayer service via livestream, it is required – as soon as possible – to go to Confession, receive Holy Communion, and pray (Our Father and Hail Mary) for the Holy Father’s intentions.