St. Malachy Catholic Church resumes indoor worship services

The Supreme Court has lifted California’s ban on indoor church services during the pandemic, ruling that Governor Gavin Newsom’s strict orders appear to violate the Constitution’s protection of the free exercise of religion.

Bishop Joseph V. Brennan, D.D. of the Diocese of Fresno has therefore decreed that Catholic churches in the Diocese of Fresno can resume indoor Masses at 25 percent capacity, which is roughly 110 parishioners at each Mass in the St. Malachy Church structure. St. Malachy will also resume 5:30 p.m. Saturday Vigil Mass beginning the weekend of February 13 including radio broadcast. St. Malachy will continue to livestream and radio broadcast the Masses, including Sundays at 8:00 a.m. (English), 9:30 a.m. (English), 11:00 a.m. (Spanish) and 1:00 p.m. Latin Tridentine. Communion will be available for those wishing to remain in their vehicles in the parking lot.

COVID-19 restrictions still remain: face-masks required, six-foot distancing between family groups, supply sanitation stations, no singing/chanting allowed.

The Lenten Season of fasting and abstinence is approaching soon. Regarding Ash Wednesday on February 17, Bishop Brennan has instructed all parishes to follow liturgical guidelines established during this time of the COVID pandemic. Ashes will be sprinkled on the head instead of a sign of the cross. Father Mark and Deacon Jim will be the only ones to distribute the ashes throughout the day. Ashes cannot be given out for distribution for those at home.

Ash Wednesday services with distribution of ashes will be at the following times: 9 a.m. Mass, 4 p.m. Children’s Liturgy of the Word, 6 p.m. Bilingual Mass and 7:30 p.m. Latin Mass.

Reminder that all aged 15 to 59 should fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. All aged 14 and up should abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent.

Friday Stations of the Cross throughout Lent will be at 6 p.m. on February 19, 26, and March 5, 12, 19, 26.

Saturday Confessions will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. in the vestibule of the Church.