Holy week at Our Lady of Sorrows

BY OLS VANCOUVER, APRIL 1st, 2020

We have received instructions on how Holy week is to be celebrated without a congregation.
The priests and sisters have met to see how these guidelines would apply to our parish.
All services for Holy Week from the cathedral will be live streamed, look for schedule and links on www.olos.ca.
Look for schedule and links to live stream of services at Sorrows at www.olos.ca.

^{Father Richard Zanotti’s announcement}

The church will be open for personal prayer

BY OLS VANCOUVER, MARCH 28th, 2020

Monday to Friday at 7:30 am to 8:00 am and 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
On Saturday from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and
on Sunday from 9:00 am to 10:30 am..

• We ask that people do not gather in large numbers and that they keep the appropriate distance(2 meters) from each other.
• Pews and other surfaces will be wiped down after each period for personal prayer.
• Disinfectants will be available as will the ability for washing hands.

We ask that you please respect these simple norms.

About Confession

In the situation we find ourselves in it is most appropriate to seek forgiveness from God through prayer. Once the situation changes then go to confession to a priest.

If one needs to go to confession during this time then the following is to be observed:

• One can go to confession by appointment if willing to adhere to appropriate procedures
• Confessions will take place in the rectory conference room where there is privacy and the appropriate distance can be kept between the priest and penitent
• Please go to the parish office ring the bell and through the glass door indicate that you would like go to confession
• The priest will invite you to go to the back of the rectory and enter through the outer door of the rectory conference room
• On Saturday a priest will be available for confessions from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm and the same procedure will be followed

Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Announcement from the Archdiocese

BY CATHOLIC VANCOUVER, MARCH 27th, 2020

^{Father Richard Zanotti invites us to pray together asking our loving mother, Our Lady of Sorrows, to intercede for us.}

Praying together seeking intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows

BY OLS VANCOUVER, MARCH 26th, 2020

^{Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB sits down to answer questions about how the coronavirus pandemic will affect other sacraments, Holy Week as well as how these past few weeks has personally affected him.}

Interview with Archbishop Miller on COVID-19

BY CATHOLIC VANCOUVER, MARCH 23rd, 2020

^{Archbishop Miller announced Friday that all Masses in the Archdiocese of Vancouver will be offered without a public congregation. (Garvan Yeung photo)}

With ‘sadness,’ Archbishop Miller halts public Masses in Vancouver

BY THE B.C. CATHOLIC, MARCH 21st, 2020

Archbishop J. Michael Miller Friday announced Masses will no longer be offered with a public congregation in the Archdiocese of Vancouver, joining dioceses across British Columbia and Canada that have made the same decision.

In a statement Friday afternoon, the archbishop said, “I direct that all Masses, whether Sunday or weekday, beginning on Saturday, March 21, are to be offered without a public congregation, until further notice.”

The decision also applies to other parish activities and celebrations, such as Stations of the Cross.

Friday’s decision, he said, was made after “prayerful consideration; and after no small amount of sadness; and after hearing from senior pastors and others about the need for a single directive for the entire Archdiocese.”

The archbishop said churches can remain open for private prayer and adoration “whenever the health and safety of the community can be scrupulously attended to,” although he asked seniors and those with serious medical conditions to remain at home and pray.

The archbishop said “this unprecedented decision was not taken lightly. It follows from the Lord’s commandment that we love one another as he has loved us. In this trying time, this means that we must ensure the health and safety of our community by following the directives of our provincial and national health authorities.”

He said he recognized “the great sacrifice involved for those who are unable to receive the Eucharist, particularly during this time of suffering,” and invited people to “deepen their relationship to the Lord by uniting themselves to his Passion.