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Coronavirus Instructions from September

31/8/2020

The Catholic Diocese of Helsinki follows the general instructions of the Finnish government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

In the Cathedral Parish we have the following regulations in place:

We diligently ensure participation in church events only takes place when people are symptom-free. We take great care to ensure good hygiene and safe distances; if safe distances cannot be kept, people are asked to wear a face mask.
In the parish we return to the regular autumn schedule, but we continue to register for Mass.
Religious events, courses and meetings of communities as well as group meetings can go ahead again.
Holy Communion is still only given under the species of bread.
It is not yet recommended to have church coffees.

The conditions for participating are therefore: absence of symptoms – hygiene – safe distance – (face mask)

The faithful are still freed from the Sunday obligation, but it is important to keep the day of rest holy for example by following the mass on the Internet, by praying, reading the Bible or in some other way.

Instructions for Mass attendance from June 1st

24/5/2020

General Instructions concerning Mass Attendance in the Diocese of Helsinki, as of June 1st

General instructions

At this point, the faithful must register for Sunday Masses on the internet, or by calling the parish. When registering, please take into consideration parishioners who are unable to register online by leaving some vacancies for those persons. Your understanding during these circumstances is requested, as there are unfortunately no other options for the time being.

These instructions are general, and they may change or become more specific, should the government provide new directions. These instructions are also put into practice and modified in each parish in a manner that best corresponds to the realities of that parish. Thus, it may be beneficial to let the parish know about any suggestions for improvement.

Click for instructions in pdf format

How may I participate at Mass?

According to the decision made by the government on May 6, 2020 there may even be over 50 faithful present at Mass (in addition to clergy, altar servers, an organist and a small choir) as long as proper distancing is followed. The precise number allowed depends on the size of the Church, and is declared by each parish.
In order to attend Mass, all faithful must first register with the parish. Information about registering is given out by each parish.
Only those without any symptoms of a cold or of Coronavirus may attend Mass. Those at higher risk are asked to remain at home.

How do I implement proper safety measures in church?

Social distancing of at least 1 meter must be maintained at all times while in church.
Only the marked seats may be used. However, members of the same household may sit together in the same row.
One may use a mask in church. When sneezing or coughing, the faithful must cover their mouths with a handkerchief or sleeve.
When entering church and before Communion all faithful must sanitize their hands, just as the priest does before distributing Communion.
Holy Water is not available in church, and the Sign of the Peace by shaking hands is left out. There are no hymnals in use at this time.
The collection is taken at the door at the end of Mass.
After Mass has ended, it is not permitted to stay in the sanctuary in order to socialize.

How do I receive the Eucharist?

Holy Communion is given only under the species of bread.
After having sanitized his hands, the priest will give Communion first to those wishing to receive in the hand, and only after that to those receiving on the tongue. During this unusual time, receiving in the hand is recommended.
Social distancing must take place while in line to receive the Eucharist.
When receiving the Eucharist, the faithful must remain still and remain in place in front of the priest.
There is no obligation to receive Communion at Mass. Those worried about contracting the virus may request to have Communion given to them outside of Mass.

How do I receive other Sacraments?

For all other Sacraments (Baptism, Confession, and Matrimony) as well as to arrange a hospital visit or a funeral, please contact your closest Catholic parish.

Open the Mass reservations page for St Henry's Cathedral

Click here to read the Instructions on this page in pdf format

All classes and festivities cancelled

2/4/2020

Sadly, because of the coronavirus situation, all classes for the sacraments have been cancelled until furhter notice.

All First Communions and Confirmations that were planned to take place at St Henry's Cathedral during the spring of 2020 have also been cancelled.

When the coronavirus pandemic allows it, classes will be resumed and new dates will be announced.

Cathedral remains open, but Mass no longer said publicly

17/3/2020

Due to the coronavirus outbreak and the CoViD-19 epidemic all activities and all public Masses at St Henry's Cathedral have been cancelled until further notice. However, the Cathedral remains open for the prayers of the faithful. Priests are available for instance for Confession.

On Sunday the High Mass at 11 a.m. will be streamed live online.

The Diocese of Helsinki and the Nordic Bishops' Conference (NBK) has provided the following information regarding the coronavirus:

Tarkennettuja ohjeita koronaepidemiaan liittyen (March 16, 2020, from the Diocese of Helsinki, in Finnish, stating that Masses may not be celebrated publicly)
Guidelines during corona epidemic (March 13, 2020)
Piispainkokouksen ohjeita koronaviruksen varalta (March 13, 2020, NBK in Finnish)
Nordiska biskopskonferensens anvisningar med anledning av coronaviruset (12.3.2020, NBK in Swedish)
List pasterski: Konferencja Episkopatu Krajow Nordyckich (NBK in Polish)
Koronavirukseen liittyvia ohjeita Helsingin katolisessa hiippakunnassa (March 7, 2020, Diocese of Helsinki, in Finnish)

Sanctus Henricus 4/2019

13/12/2019

The parish magazine of Saint Henry's Cathedral Parish Sanctus Henricus is available online in pdf format.

Click here or on the cover image to start reading the latest issue of Sanctus.

Please note that there is a mistake in the Liturgical Calendar in this issue of Fides. There will be no Mass celebrated in Tapanila on Sunday, February 9th. We apologise for the mistake.

Please always check the Mass schedule in the Parish Calendar, that is updated most frequently.

Retreat in German on October 26

20/9/2019

Einkehrtag auf Deutsch

On Saturday, October 26, there will be a retreat in German at St Henry's Cathedral Parish. The retreat will be lead by Father Franz Richardt OFM.

The half-day retreat begins at 1 p.m. and continues until 5 p.m. For further information and registration please contact Marko Pitkäniemi by e-mail at pitkis@katolinen.fi.

Lectors' Workshop on September 28th

4/9/2019

Another workshop for Lectors (Readers) will be arranged at Saint Henry's Cathedral Parish at the end of September. The Workshop will take place in the Cathedral from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 28.

The first Lectors' Workshop held in 2014 was considered extremely beneficial by those who attended and it has since become a recurring form of training for those involved in or interested in this Ministry. The workshops are intended for newcomers as well as those who attended earlier workshops. Participants from other Catholic parishes in Finland are also welcome!

For more information, please go to the Lectors' Workshop page or get in touch with the Lector Workshop coordinator Joran Wauters(joranwauters@gmail.com or mobile 044-9723738).

Diocesan Day in Lohja on August 17

30/7/2019

This year's Diocesan Day is celebrated on Saturday, August 17th. We begin the day at 11 a.m. with Holy Mass at St Laurence's Church (Pyhän Laurin kirkko) in Lohja. The Mass is celebrated by Bishop Emeritus Teemu Sippo SCI.

NB! The programme after the Mass has changed. Please read the following carefully!

Programme:

Holy Mass for Our Lady at St Laurence's Church (Pyhän Laurin kirkko) in Lohja at 11 a.m.

After Mass lunch is served at Vivamo. After the lunch there is a Marian prayer, coffe and return to the parish

The parish-chartered bus leaves St Henry's Cathedral at 9 a.m. The bus fare to and from Lohja is EUR 15 per person, which is paid on the bus.

Lunch at Vivamo costs EUR 10 per adult or teenager and EUR 5 per child under 12 years of age.

Sign up for the Diocesan Day by calling or e-mailing St Henry's at 09 637853 / henrik@katolinen.fi no later than 12.8.2019.

NB! Those who come by car to Vivamo must also sign up so we know how many people are coming for lunch!

We will be back in Helsinki no later than 5 p.m.

No 9.30 Mass at St Henry's on Corpus Christi Sunday

14/6/2019

Please note that on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 23rd, there is no Mass in English at 9.30 a.m. at St Henry's Cathedral. The High Mass at 11 a.m. ends with a Eucharistic Procession to mark Corpus Christi. After the Mass, there is coffee in the Parish Hall.

The parish summer programme is available in the calendar and in the latest issue of Fides magazine.

Streaming of Masses at St Henry's Cathedral

11/6/2019

The Masses celebrated at St Henry's Cathedral can now be seen and heard live online. Via the page henrik.katolinen.fi/live you can attend a virtual Mass on Sundays as well as weekdays.

The picture shown is a screengrab of this mornings Morning Mass celebrated by parish priest Marco Pasinato.

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