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Northside Catholic Academy

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On Friday, 27 March at 6:00 PM in Rome (12:00 PM in Chicago)  Pope Francis  will give the Urbi et orbi Blessing (to the City [of Rome] and to the World), with the possibility of gaining a plenary indulgence for all those who listen to it live through the various forms of communication.

The plenary indulgence attached to the Urbi et orbi blessing is subject to the conditions foreseen by the recent Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

The Archdiocese has given the following guidance for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick, and ministering to the sick and homebound during this Coronavirus crisis.
 
Sacrament of Reconciliation

• Individual confessions are currently not possible.
• General Absolution is not allowed as the Holy See deems that the conditions for general Absolution have not been met.

When access to the sacrament is restricted, sins are forgiven if penitents make an act of contrition with a firm resolve to approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation after the stay-at-home order is lifted.
 
Holy Communion to the Sick and Homebound
 
Communion to the sick and homebound is suspended.
 
Anointing of the Sick
 
4 priests are selected for each vicariate by the Episcopal Vicar and authorized to anoint any confirmed COVID-19 patients.  When the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is requested for a CONFIRMED COVID-19 PATIENT, the priest who receives the request immediately refers the case directly to one of the 4 designated priests in his Vicariate, who will minister the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to the patient.
           
Christian Burials
 
Since our churches are still closed, funeral Masses are not possible.  Family has two options:

• A funeral service, not a Mass, may take place at the funeral home.
• .A funeral service may take place graveside at the cemetery

With both options, the limit for attendees remains 10 people at this time (inclusive of the funeral director, priest, mourners, etc.)  All attendees must practice social distancing.

Cardinal Cupich in his letter to priests in the Archdiocese invites all parishioners to pray together and to ring the church bell five times a day.  He hopes that by praying the common prayer people will have the experience of being united in prayer, especially at a time when we are isolated.
 
Beginning Saturday, March 21, the prayers and intentions for each hour of prayer are below:
 
9:00 a.m. - Prayer for those infected with the virus and all who are ill
Lord, place your healing hand on those who suffer illness. Bring them to full health and ease their anxious hearts.  May our prayer and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary encourage them that they are not alone. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.
 
12:00 p.m. - Prayer for health care workers and those attending to the sick
Lord, we are ennobled by those who put their lives at risk in caring for the sick. Keep them safe and embolden them when they are weary. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.
 
3:00 p.m. - Prayer for first responders and essential workers
Lord, we pray for those who run to danger to keep us safe and those who serve the common good. Embrace them with your mantle of protection and comfort the fears of their families. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.
 
6:00 p.m. - Prayer for people of every nation and their leaders
Lord, the pandemic opens our eyes to see each other as brothers and sisters in one human family. We pray for people of every nation and their leaders, asking that they be inspired to seek the good of all and quell the voices of division. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.
 
9:00 p.m. - Prayer for those who have died today
Lord, we grieve the passing of our sisters and brothers who have died this day. We commend them to your tender mercy, confident that nothing, not even death, will separate us from your love. We ask this in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.
 
Please join Cardinal Cupich and all priests in this common prayer.  Set your alarm so that you can stop for a moment to join in.