In light of recent incidents of violence and racial tension in communities across the United States, the USCCB president, along with Bishop Bradley, has invited all Catholics to unite in a National Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace in Our Communities, September 9, the Feast of St. Peter Claver. All are invited to pray, fast, attend Mass and ask for the intercession of saints who have fought for racial equality such as St. Peter Claver.

In a heartfelt Letter to the Faithful, Bishop Paul J. Bradley announces his decision to extend the General Dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days through November 22, 2020. He also encourages the Faithful to "Keep Holy the Lord's Day" . Click here to read the full text.

My dear friends, as we all are painfully aware, we’re living in a very tumultuous, anxious, and greatly divided time in our country. Tensions are high, anger is great, peaceful protests against racism and social injustice are widespread, and sadly, some of those protests have turned violent, and destructive, including here in our own community. I’m reminded of St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians, and us, to “mend your ways, encourage one another, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you” (2 Cor. 13:11).