Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle   
Washington, D.C.
‌
‌

My dear parishioners and friends,

Amid the outbreak and spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region, St. Matthew's is taking the actions outlined in this eletter in response to the March 12, 2020 statement of Archbishop Gregory for the Archdiocese of Washington. Read the Catholic Standard article on this statement .

In response to public health recommendations from local government leaders regarding the potential spread of the virus and the Archbishop's response, beginning on Saturday, March 14, celebration at the Cathedral of Masses, Confessions (including Wednesday evening Lenten Confessions), Lenten Stations of the Cross and other public liturgies will be suspended until further notice. During this time, the Cathedral will not open.

Archbishop Gregory has issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to all parishioners of the Archdiocese of Washington.

I and all the priests, deacons and staff members of St. Matthew's share the feelings of sadness, buoyed by faith and hope, at this decision expressed by Archbishop Gregory: “We are profoundly saddened that we are not able to celebrate our sacraments as a community for the time being, but we know Christ remains with us at all times - specifically in times of worry like this.”

Let us pray for a swift resumption of our celebration of the Eucharist and our other liturgies!
Image: St. Anthony performing a cure with the Blessed Mother holding the Christ Child, mural above the entrance to the St. Anthony Chapel from the east transept, by Vincent Aderente
Friday, March 13 Cathedral Schedule Observed

As noted on our website and social media, today, Friday, March 13 - the day before the suspension of liturgies begins - our regular daily Mass and Confessions schedule is observed, and Stations of the Cross will be celebrated at 6pm, following the 5:30pm Mass. All are most welcome to join us Friday for the Eucharist and for our 6pm Stations of the Cross.
 
List of Events Cancelled

In addition, effective immediately, the events, classes, and group meetings listed below - essentially all other gatherings at St. Matthew's - are cancelled until after Easter.

Please check the Cathedral website regularly for updates.

Please follow your Cathedral parish on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram .

Cancellations (postponements where indicated) -
 
  • Spanish Lenten Retreat (March 14)
  • 1st Reconciliation Retreat (March 14) and First Reconciliation Liturgy (March 21)
  • Great Organ Lunchtime Recital (March 18) (postponed to a later date to be determined)
  • Lenten Lectures (March 17, 21)
  • Catholic Business Network of Washington, DC Breakfast (March 19)
  • Marriage Prep Course (Fridays starting March 20)
  • Gospel of John Study (March 21, April 4)
  • Spanish Know Your Rights Session (March 22)
  • Laetare Vespers (March 22)
  • Cathedral Book Club (March 23)
  • Finance Council Meeting (March 23)
  • Great Organ Lunchtime Recital (April 1) (postponed to a later date to be determined)
  • Dinner with L'Arche (April 4)
  • ESL/SSL (Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays)
  • Homeless breakfast (Mondays)
  • Tuesday night prayer group
  • Simple Lenten Meals (Fridays)
  • Spanish CCD classes (Sundays)
  • English CCD classes (Sundays)
  • Young Adult Coffeehouse (Sundays)
  • RCIA (by conference call only)
  • Serra Club breakfasts
  • Social Justice Advocacy Retreat follow-up
  • Communion & Liberation meetings
  • Spanish Baptism Class
  • Celebration of the Word (Thursdays)
  • Little Rock Bible Study group meetings

More Resources, and More to Come

The Archdiocese of Washington has a special web page offering the latest updates on the situation. Visit adw.org/coronavirus.

You may watch the Archdiocese of Washington Sunday TV Mass . The Mass airs every Sunday at 10:30am on WDCW-50:
  • No cable; Dish or Direct TV subscribers: Ch. 50
  • Comcast: Ch. 23 in Washington, DC and Montgomery County; Ch. 3 in Prince George’s County and Southern Maryland
  • RCN: Ch. 15
  • Verizon: Ch. 3
The Sunday TV Mass is available to watch anytime on the   National Shrine’s YouTube channel .

Archbishop Gregory also invites you to join in the Mass and prayer via livestream on the Archdiocese of Washington's social media, which we will share on the Cathedral's Facebook page as well.

As additional resources and information are received, including on televised Masses, we will share these.

Rectory Office Remains Open

Please be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones. While the Cathedral will not be open during the time of suspended liturgies, at this time our rectory remains open as usual. We ask, however, that you please exercise prevailing public health recommendations and precautions, including social distancing, remaining at home if you are sick or suspect that you are sick, and self-quarantining if warranted.

If you cannot come to the rectory but need to contact me or Fr. John Benson , please don't hesitate to call or email us. We are here for you.

May be the peace of Christ be with you and remain with you always, come what may.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. W. Ronald Jameson
Rector, Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle
Copyright © 2017- 2020
All rights reserved