Mar 13, 2020
SPANISH | KOREAN | VIETNAMESE|MANDARIN
To Our Community in Diocese of San José:
Santa Clara County, together with the greater Seattle area, has been at the epicenter of the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) across the United States. Over the past few weeks, our Diocese of San José has followed the guidance of Santa Clara County health officials in responding to the presence of the virus. The Governor of California has weighed in recently requesting that no gatherings assemble with more than 250 persons. In my recent discussions with county health officials, I have been told that we have reached the exponential phase of the epidemic, with the number of those testing positive for the virus expected to rise dramatically.
As a Diocese, our top priority remains the health and safety of our families, children, and the vulnerable of our community. Out of an abundance of caution, we have closed all Diocesan school facilities from today, Friday, March 13, through Friday, March 27. In addition, I am requesting that all parishes, missions, and chapels in the Diocese of San José suspend all public Masses beginning Saturday, March 14, until further notice. Baptisms, weddings, and funerals may be celebrated but should be limited to immediate family. Faith Formation classes also should be suspended until further notice. All parish gatherings are being suspended until further notice.
With the preceding in mind, I have issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time for all Catholics in the Diocese of San José.
Though public Masses are being suspended, I encourage parishioners to remain connected to their parish community and to pray for each other. The Diocese and several parishes will continue to livestream Sunday Masses in various languages. Information on these Masses and other spiritual resources are provided on our Diocesan Response to Coronavirus webpage at dsj.org/coronavirus.
During this difficult time, I ask that our priests, deacons, religious, and parish staffs remain attentive to the needs of shut-ins, the elderly, the sick, and the vulnerable through creative outreach. Priests will remain available for individual confessions and urgent pastoral needs, including the anointing of the sick (Last Rites). I also encourage our parishes to reach out to parishioners through phone campaigns, social media, and other methods.
We are profoundly saddened that we are not able to celebrate the Eucharist as community, but we are reminded that Christ always remains with us, especially in times of uncertainty such as these. Be assured of my continued prayers for you and your families.
Yours in Christ,
Bishop Oscar Cantú
Mar 13, 2020
DIOCESE OF SAN JOSE TO CLOSE SCHOOLS FROM FRIDAY, MARCH 13 TO FRIDAY, MARCH 27
SAN JOSE, CA (MARCH 12, 2020) – The Diocese of San José announced today that all diocesan schools will close from Friday, March 13 to Friday, March 27, 2020. Each school has developed distance learning plans, which will be implemented beginning Monday, March 16.
This closure includes all planned in-person school events and classes, including student activities, sports, and community gatherings. School facilities will not be open to students or parents during this time.
Although, as of today, there are no reports of confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases at any diocesan school, the diocese is taking these steps out of an abundance of caution.
“These measures we are taking not only protect our students, but also our neighbors and those most who may be most vulnerable to the health effects of this virus,” said Bishop Oscar Cantú, bishop of the Diocese of San José.
For further updates and guidance, please visit www.dsj.org/coronavirus. This page will be updated with new information as it becomes available from the Diocese.
To read the full statement from Bishop Oscar Cantú, please click here.
Mar 8, 2020
6 de marzo, 2020
Como Obispo de la Diócesis de San José, he tenido en cuenta las recomendaciones del Departamento de Salud del Condado de Santa Clara con respecto a las personas con mayor riesgo de exposición al coronavirus, también conocido como COVID-19.
En vista de la delicada situación a la que nos enfrentamos en este momento, dispenso a las personas que caen en las categorías de mayor riesgo de asistir a la Santa Misa.
Estas categorías incluirían personas mayores de 50 años, aquellas con situaciones de salud que incluyen enfermedades cardiovasculares, diabetes, cáncer, enfermedades cardíacas o enfermedades pulmonares crónicas como la COPD, así como aquellas con sistemas inmunes severamente debilitados.
Sigamos observando las precauciones prescritas por nuestro departamento de salud pública para protegernos a nosotros mismos y a nuestros hermanos y hermanas.
Sigamos también orando por el descanso de las almas de los que han fallecido por causa de esta enfermedad, por la pronta recuperación de los enfermos, y por la protección de todos nuestros trabajadores de la salud. Esperamos y rezamos para que nuestros profesionales médicos puedan encontrar una solución para curar esta enfermedad.
Monseñor Oscar Cantú, Obispo de San José
Mar 8, 2020
DECREE
MARCH 6, 2020
As Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose, I have taken into account the recommendations from the Santa Clara County Health Department regarding people at higher risk of exposure to coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
In light of the delicate situation we are facing at this time, I dispense persons falling into the categories of greater risk from attending Mass.
These categories would include persons over 50 years of age, those with health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or chronic lung diseases like COPD, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems.
May we continue to observe the precautions prescribed by our public health department to protect ourselves and our brothers and sisters.
Let us also continue to pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died from this illness, for the healing of those who are ill, and for the protection of all our health care workers. We hope and pray that our medical professionals will be able to find a cure to this illness.
Most Reverend Oscar Cantú, Bishop of San Jose
Download Decree Here
