With the COVID-19 Mandated Directives, the Fresno Diocese suspended celebrations of the Mass and dispensed the faithful from Sunday obligation. This brings a challenge to the faithful: how to practice their faith and find spiritual nourishment away from church services and the Eucharist.

We encouraged Catholics to watch celebrations of the Mass at home via livestreams. Livestream links can be found on the HOME page of this website.

Our Catholic faith is very practical and it can help us navigate through difficult and fearful times. We also know too how important it can be to help our children and young people pray and to pray with them, especially in the disturbing and troubling situation they are experiencing now.

The diocese recommends establishing a prayer space in your home as well as praying the rosary or the Stations of the Cross. If you do not have the books at home, these are easily accessed online or through several Catholic prayer apps. These mobile apps include the iBreviary and Laudate apps.

CCC #2183 - "If because of lack of a sacred minister or for other grave cause participation in the celebration of the Eucharist is impossible, it is specially recommended that the faithful take part in the Liturgy of the Word if it is celebrated in the parish church or in another sacred place according to the prescriptions of the diocesan bishop, or engage in prayer for an appropriate amount of time personally or in a family or, as occasion offers, in groups of families."120 "

#120 comes from canon law # 1248 §2 - "If it is impossible to assist at a eucharistic celebration, either because no sacred minister is available or for some other grave reason, the faithful are strongly recommended to take part in a liturgy of the Word, if there be such in the parish church or some other sacred place, which is celebrated in accordance with the provisions laid down by the diocesan Bishop; or to spend an appropriate time in prayer, whether personally or as a family or, as occasion presents, in a group of families. "

Suggested Intercessions for at home prayers:

For the Church throughout the world, and especially for the people of our dioceses, that the gift of faith might bring them peace; We pray to the Lord:

For the President and all who govern us, that our country might trust in God when confronted by confusion and fear; We pray to the Lord:

For peace throughout the world, and for an end to violence and hate; We pray to the Lord:

For all the victims of violence, for spouses who have been widowed, for children who have been orphaned, and for all who have been traumatized; We pray to the Lord:

For all who died from [today's/yesterday's/recent] violence, that they may rest in peace; We pray to the Lord: