Dispensation Lifted Beginning June 5th and 6th
May 19, 2021
Dispensation Lifted Beginning June 5th and 6th
The Bishops of Ohio have lifted the Dispensation from the Obligation of Sunday Mass beginning the weekend of June 5 and 6, The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi.)
The Parish Staff is working so that Saint Thomas Aquinas may have a smooth transition as the Sunday Mass Obligation is restored and the State of Ohio protocols are being suspended.
We will continue to make safety and caution a priority as we move away from the restraints put in place throughout the pandemic. Our prayers and concern continue for those who have been so adversely affected by the corona virus.
We are anxious to welcome everyone back to Sunday worship at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church!
Lifting-Dispensation-letter-5-13-19[100]
Update from Bishop Brennan
March 30, 2021
March 26, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Since the onset of the pandemic just a year ago, the Bishops of Ohio have worked together during this
unprecedented time with the assistance of government and health professionals to lead and protect all those
entrusted to our pastoral care. By the grace of God and the painstaking efforts by so many to follow Covid19 protocols, coupled with the expanding availability of vaccines, we are making progress in our fight
against this deadly scourge. What a blessing it will be for us to be in person in our churches this year to
celebrate the Paschal Mystery, culminating in the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.
In our shared hope of eradicating this virus and encouraging ongoing return of the faithful to Holy Mass
and the Sacraments each week, you are invited to continue to follow all the essential protocols of hand
sanitizing, wearing masks and social distancing. These efforts are working to the point that we are in a
much more hopeful place than we were even a few months ago.
At the same time, you are encouraged to receive a vaccine. To reiterate the teaching of the Church with
regard to the vaccine options: if you have the opportunity to choose a vaccine, you should choose Pfizer or
Moderna. While the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is made from cell lines originating from an aborted human
fetus, it should be taken only if it is the only option available.
As we move toward herd immunity, notwithstanding a spike in the virus, it is our sincere hope that soon
we can return to the regular celebration of Mass with full capacity in our churches, and thus lift the
dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. We are advised that parish festivals likely can take
place this summer, preferably outdoors, following the necessary protocols. Nevertheless, we all need to
remain vigilant.
We look forward with eager longing to when we can all be together around the altar of the Lord without
any restrictions. In the meantime, let us continue to do all that we need to do to overcome the virus, and
rely upon the guidance of government and health officials so that we can return to some sense of normal.
Have a blessed Holy Week!
Sincerely in Christ,
The Most Rev. Dennis M. Schnurr
Archdiocese of Cincinnati
The Most Rev. David J. Bonnar
Diocese of Youngstown
The Most Rev. Robert J. Brennan
Diocese of Columbus
The Most Rev. Daniel E. Thomas
Diocese of Toledo
The Most Rev. Bohdan J. Danylo
Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of
St. Josaphat in Parma
The Most Rev. Edward C. Malesic
Diocese of Cleveland
The Most Rev. Jeffrey M. Monforton
Diocese of Steubenville
The Most Rev. John Michael Botean
St. George Byzantine Catholic Dioces
