Concerning the Covid-19 Virus: Stay at Home Order – Extended Severe Lockdown

Virus – Jan 13, 2021 – Official PDF

My Dear Friends: The province has directed the Grey Zone lock down to continue in northwestern Ontario for 28 more days, ending on February 10, 2021. This lock down is more severe, in that no one is allowed to leave their homes except for food and medical reasons. This decision means the continued closure of our churches and parish offices to the public during this time. I know this is a difficult situation for many – but it is for the safety of the people of our province. By working together and maintaining the protocols for safety, we can truly make a concerted effort to curtail the spread of this terrible virus in our homes and communities. I ask for your patience and understanding, and I thank you for your continued support to our parishes both emotionally and financially during this lock down. Please pray as a family, watch the Sunday Mass on social media at this time, (www.dotb.ca) and maintain safety for yourselves and for your families. We ask the Lord to
guide us through this to safety.

I ask all our priests to continue celebrating their private Masses for their people by themselves, and to close all our churches and parish offices at this time. Telephone calls can be maintained by the priest, but secretaries should remain home at this time. There are no public services to be held in our churches. Any funerals must be conducted at the funeral home during this lock down and arranged through the funeral home. Thank you again for your patience and understanding and for your prayers.

Sincerely,
+Fred J. Colli
Bishop of Thunder Bay