The Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois

- Governor Pritzker has extended the Illinois stay-at-home order through April 30. Diocese of Joliet Catholic Schools, religious education and youth ministry programs shall be closed over this same period.

- During the extension of the closure period, Catholic school students will continue at-home learning and youth formation programs will continue remotely wherever possible.

March 30, 2020

Memo regarding ongoing COVID-19 practices
Read the Memo (PDF-English)

- Memorandum to priests & deacons with encouragement & support for their ministry efforts during the pandemic.

- Church facilities to remain closed until directives are lifted by the State of Illinois.

March 27, 2020

Holy Week 2020
Read the Letter (PDF-English)

Letter to priests & deacons with updated guidelines and information regarding Holy Week 2020, including Mass times, liturgical guidelines.

March 25, 2020

Postponement of certain celebrations

E-mail to priests and deacons:

- The Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has given permission to postpone the Chrism Mass to post Easter. The rescheduled event will include the activities that characterize this special day.

- The Adult Confirmation ceremony presently scheduled for April 19^th will be postponed until we can confidently establish a date for full participation and attend to the organizational requirements.

- The ordination of Sam Conforti to the transitional diaconate is also being postponed until Saturday, May 2 at 11:00am. In the meanwhile, we pray for Sam and all the seminarians.

March 24, 2020

Live-stream Mass at Cathedral

E-mail to priests and deacons:

- Daily Mass to be live-streamed from the Cathedral during the COVID-19 outbreak, at:

- 9:00am by Fr. Burke Masters and/or Fr. Ryan Adorjan (YouTube Link)

- 11:30am by Bishop Pates (YouTube Link)

March 22, 2020

Memo to Priests and Deacons Regarding Forgiveness of Sins

(Read the PDF)

- shares information from Apostolic Penitentiary and USCCB regarding forgiveness of sins under quarantine circumstances

- accommodation should be made to help healthcare workers

- compassion and sensitivity should characterize outreach to those who are sick under these highly difficult circumstances

March 21, 2020

Message Regarding "Stay in Place" Order by the Governor

Read the Message (PDF-English)

In addition to instuctions issued by the Diocese of Joliet, all parishes and diocesan offices and facilities are to follow instructions and guidelines suggested by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the CDC and orders issued by the State of Illinois.

- All churches and adoration chapels must be closed and locked.

- No public gatherings on church property, and no personnel may arrange for such gatherings on other sites.

- Weddings, baptisms, funerals and wakes must be postponed. (Priests may still say Mass privately.)

- Diocesan and parishes offices are all closed.

March 19, 2020

Updated Alert Regarding COVID-19 from Bishop Pates

Read the Letter (PDF-English)
(PDF-Spanish)

- Until further notice, all services in Diocese of Joliet facilities are to be cancelled or postponed, including weekend Mass, daily Mass, and Stations of the Cross.

- Chrism Mass will be celebrated at the Blanchette Catholic Center (BCC) on April 6 and will involve limited numbers of participants.

- The Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate will take place at the BCC on April 4 and will involve a limited number of participants. Arrangements are being made to livestream.

- In addition to the above, Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter services are cancelled.

- All diocesan, parish and institution offices are closed except under very limited circumstances.

March 18, 2020

Office for Human Diginty Message

View PDF

- Diocese of Joliet Missionary Cooperative Plan (MCP) is suspended until further notice.

March 16, 2020

Updates Regarding COVID-19 Situation

Read the Letter
(PDF-English)
(PDF-Spanish)

- Weekend Mass is cancelled for the time being

- Other liturgical gatherings, provided they comply with the guidelines offered and recommended by the State of Illinois, and every precaution is taken to prevent the spread of the virus.

- Includes additional liturgical guidelines for services during the COVID-19 crisis

- The faithful are called to private prayer, reflection, and asked to consider supporting our parishes and institutions during this time of isolation - especially Catholic Charities, which will make every effort to continue providing services to the needy in our diocese.

March 13, 2020

Letter to the Priests Regarding COVID-19

Read the Letter (PDF-English)

- Weekend liturgy is cancelled for March 14-15, 2020

- Certain temporary directives issued for liturgy

- Pastors are to exercise discretion in their parishes for gatherings and other services, such as daily Mass

March 13, 2020

Re: Closing of Schools

Link to Statement

- In a message from the superintendent on behalf of the bishop to all pastors and principals, all Diocese of Joliet Catholic school will be closed to class as of March 16, 2020. This will continue until further notice.

February 27, 2020

Message from Bishop Pates regarding COVID-19

Read the Letter (PDF-English)

- Initial liturgical restrictions, relating to reception of the Precious Blood and shaking of hands during Sign of Peace.