Category: Coronavirus

From the Diocesan Administrator: End of Exceptional Measures

27/4/2022

The restrictions put into place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect people's health come to an end in the Diocese of Helsinki at the end of April.

Parishes return to their normal practices in their activities. However, we still encourage people to maintain good hand and cough hygiene and to avoid coming to church if you have symptoms of Covid-19 or some other easily transmissible disease.

From now on, the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation is in force again. However, those who are part of various risk goups may still need to avoid those Masses that generally have the greatest number of people.

For more information, please contact your parish.

Two priests test positive for Covid-19

31/12/2021

Parish priest Jean Claude Kabeza has tested positive for Covid-19. Both he and Father Federico Spanó had positive test results on 30 December, 2021. Neither has serious symptoms, but both Father Jean Claude and Father Federico are now in quarantine. Masses at St Henry's Cathedral will be celebrated by other priests.

Father Jean Claude wishes everybody a Happy New Year and adds: "I will be praying for you all"!"

Programme for Holy Week at St Henry's

30/3/2021

On this page you will find the programme for Holy Week 2021 at St Henry's Cathedral, Helsinki

You can watch the prayers and Masses at the Cathedral on our live stream at henrik.katolinen.fi/live.

Please note that attending a Mass or Way of the Cross, for instance, requires you to book your place in advance. The booking page is found at henrik.katolinen.fi/sede.

The current coronavirus instructions for the Catholic Diocese of Helsinki are available in Finnish, Swedish and English at katolinen.fi/covid-19/

We wish everybody a Blessed Paschal Triduum!
Holy Week Programme (pdf)

No Mass in Tapanila Because of Coronavirus Restrictions

28/11/2020

No Catholic Masses will be celebrated at Tapanila Lutheran Church until further notice because of the coronavirus restrictions. The Lutheran parish has decided to close the church completely in the current coronavirus situation in Helsinki.

Coronavirus restrictions for S:t Henry's from November 23

22/11/2020

The coronavirus situation in metropolitan Helsinki has worsened, which means the coronavirus instructions for St Henry's Cathedral Parish must also change. From November 23rd, a maximum of 20 people can attend any one Mass and you must register ahead. All hygien instructions must be followed. Using face coverings is mandatory.

The Introduction to Catholicism course continues and is held in the Cathedral, not the Parish Hall. Sacrament classes for children and youth continue in groups of less than 20. Teenagers and teachers must use face coverings.

It is important to not take part in any communal events with any symptoms of Covid-19 or if you have recently been in contact with anyone who has been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

These additional restrictions are in place in St Henry's Cathedral Parish from November 23 through December 13, 2020.

In prayer,
Father Jean Claude Kabeza

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.

Announcement from the Parish Priest on March 21, 2020

21/3/2020

Father Jean Claude Cabeza, parish priest of St Henry's Cathedral Parish, has made an announcement regarding the extraordinary situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Dear parishioners,

In this particular time, it is very important to follow strictly the official instructions and regulations, that is, to avoid all unnecessary human contacts. Accordingly, there will be no public Holy Masses during this period. The Holy Father has himself given the first example for this, cancelling all his public appearances, including the Holy Masses. However, St. Henry’s Cathedral remains open for personal prayer daily between 7.3 a.m. and 5 p.m. A priest will celebrate the Holy Mass alo daily at 6 p.m., and this Mass can be viewed on the parish website. The Sunday Mass will be available for viewing online at 11 a.m.

It is certainly a hard challenge for us not to be able to unite physically in prayer in the church; but let us all be the more united in spirit and especially remember those most in need!

With prayers,
Father Jean Claude

Further reading:
Cathedral remains open, but Mass no longer said publicly
Updated: Guidelines during the corona epidemic
Schools and the coronavirus

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)

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