January 7, 2021
Dear Fathers, Parish Director, and Parish Life Coordinators,
May God bless us all today as we realize the need for His intervention in our divided United States. I can’t believe any of us were not shocked as we watched the disturbing events unfold at the United States Capitol yesterday. I share with you the statement by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in response to yesterday’s events:
“I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety.
“The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.”
Today and in the days to come, let us join in prayer for our Country. Let us accept our Lord’s invitation to go to prayer asking our Father to give us the grace and strength to help bring forth “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” I also invite all to prayerfully recite and reflect on our Pledge of Allegiance as we pray for “One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
I also offer the following “Prayer for our Nation”:
Almighty God, our Rock and our Salvation, we beg You
to pour out your Holy Spirit upon our fractured nation.
Heal the divisions that separate us and remove all obstacles to authentic unity.
May you guide this great country of ours and lead our citizens
to embrace one another as neighbors and fellow countrymen and women,
created in your own image and likeness.
Give us a fresh opportunity for renewal and true solidarity
for the common good of our homeland.
May we return to our true identity as a people of faith and charity,
Help us to always remain One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with
Liberty and Justice for All. AMEN
-Pedro de la Cruz ©www.CatholicPrayerCards.org
1-888-244-2788 email: [email protected] Card #597
May God bless us all and our Nation.
Most Rev. James P. Powers
Bishop of Superior
Dear Fathers, Parish Director, and Parish Life Coordinators,
May God bless us all today as we realize the need for His intervention in our divided United States. I can’t believe any of us were not shocked as we watched the disturbing events unfold at the United States Capitol yesterday. I share with you the statement by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in response to yesterday’s events:
“I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans. I am praying for members of Congress and Capitol staff and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety.
“The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God. I entrust all of us to the heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May she guide us in the ways of peace and obtain for us wisdom and the grace of a true patriotism and love of country.”
Today and in the days to come, let us join in prayer for our Country. Let us accept our Lord’s invitation to go to prayer asking our Father to give us the grace and strength to help bring forth “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.” I also invite all to prayerfully recite and reflect on our Pledge of Allegiance as we pray for “One Nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
I also offer the following “Prayer for our Nation”:
Almighty God, our Rock and our Salvation, we beg You
to pour out your Holy Spirit upon our fractured nation.
Heal the divisions that separate us and remove all obstacles to authentic unity.
May you guide this great country of ours and lead our citizens
to embrace one another as neighbors and fellow countrymen and women,
created in your own image and likeness.
Give us a fresh opportunity for renewal and true solidarity
for the common good of our homeland.
May we return to our true identity as a people of faith and charity,
Help us to always remain One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with
Liberty and Justice for All. AMEN
-Pedro de la Cruz ©www.CatholicPrayerCards.org
1-888-244-2788 email: [email protected] Card #597
May God bless us all and our Nation.
Most Rev. James P. Powers
Bishop of Superior
NOTICE FROM BISHOP POWERS
Regarding Scam Solicitations
If anyone contacts you claiming to be me, someone from the Diocese (Chancery Office personnel), a priest, parish employee or anyone else honestly affiliated with the Catholic of the Diocese of Superior calls, texts, emails or contacts you by any other form of communication asking you to send money or get gift cards of any kind, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT RESPOND TO THEIR REQUEST. IT IS A SCAM.
NO ONE OFFICIALLY CONNECTED TO OR ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DIOCESE OR ANY OF THE PARISHES OR ANY OTHER DIOCESAN SPONSORED ORGANIZATION WILL NOT CONTACT YOU IN THIS MANNER, BECAUSE IF THEY DID, IT WOULD BE GROUNDS FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.
For some time now these types of SCAMS have become more prevalent and more sophisticated in their making the request look real. LET ME REPEAT AGAIN, NO ONE OFFICIALLY CONNECTED TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF SUPERIOR WILL EVER CONTACT YOU IN THIS MANNER TO EITHER ASK A FAVOR OR SOLICIT FUNDS.
NOTE: This does not say a parish can’t solicit gift cards to be used for raffle prizes etc. However, in this case the cards should be dropped off at the parish office.
Regarding Scam Solicitations
If anyone contacts you claiming to be me, someone from the Diocese (Chancery Office personnel), a priest, parish employee or anyone else honestly affiliated with the Catholic of the Diocese of Superior calls, texts, emails or contacts you by any other form of communication asking you to send money or get gift cards of any kind, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT RESPOND TO THEIR REQUEST. IT IS A SCAM.
NO ONE OFFICIALLY CONNECTED TO OR ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE DIOCESE OR ANY OF THE PARISHES OR ANY OTHER DIOCESAN SPONSORED ORGANIZATION WILL NOT CONTACT YOU IN THIS MANNER, BECAUSE IF THEY DID, IT WOULD BE GROUNDS FOR THEIR IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL.
For some time now these types of SCAMS have become more prevalent and more sophisticated in their making the request look real. LET ME REPEAT AGAIN, NO ONE OFFICIALLY CONNECTED TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE DIOCESE OF SUPERIOR WILL EVER CONTACT YOU IN THIS MANNER TO EITHER ASK A FAVOR OR SOLICIT FUNDS.
NOTE: This does not say a parish can’t solicit gift cards to be used for raffle prizes etc. However, in this case the cards should be dropped off at the parish office.
November 20, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we prepare for the Solemnity of Christ the King, it is with hope and faith in Our Lord’s power and desire to bring healing to our world. He is the Divine Physician, and we know that His will is to heal; He is the Good Shepherd, and we know that His will is to lead, guide and protect His sheep.
It is rooted in this confidence that I write to you again, imploring the faithful of the diocese and calling upon your goodwill. With the significant rise in positive COVID cases throughout our diocese, we must once again assess the seriousness of the situation.
Last spring, I had to make the most difficult decision of my time as Bishop, by temporarily halting Holy Mass. As we resumed Masses this summer, the dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass remained in place until September. At that time the numbers of new COVID-19 cases were relatively few. However, due to a number of factors including the start of the new school year and the fall and winter like weather keeping us inside more, over the past few weeks we have seen a drastic increase in the new, active COVID-19 cases throughout all 16 counties that make up the Diocese of Superior.
On November 10, Governor Tony Evers issued an executive order asking all Wisconsinites to stay home as much as possible and avoid large gatherings. Today, November 19, he extended his Statewide Public Health Emergency efforts plan to January 2021.
Given the rapid increase of new, active COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks with no relief in sight, and after much prayer and consultation, I have once again decided to grant the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Superior a general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. This dispensation will remain in force until further notice.
I pray that this action will help in preventing the further spread of this terrible disease. I further pray that this will relieve the burden of conscience many, who should not have returned to Mass after the general dispensation was lifted, were having. With the general dispensation back in place, I hope those who have health issues that put them at high risk of contracting COVID-19 or prevent them from being able to wear a mask will be able to in good conscience make the wise choice.
I want to make it perfectly clear that with the reinstating of the General Dispensation I am NOT issuing a closure of public Masses on Sundays or weekdays. We will continue to celebrate Mass with parishioners who are able to attend and willing to follow the proper health protocols which are in force and include the wearing of appropriate masks.
With the reissuing of the General Dispensation from the Sunday obligation you will still need to make sound and pertinent decisions for you and your family. If you are in any of the following categories:
Although I am reinstating the General Dispensation from the Sunday obligation, I am confident that if we follow our current practices of social distancing, sanitization, face masks, and the other protocols that we have in place, those who choose to continue to attend Mass and receive the sacraments will continue to be safe.
But again, we need to be smart about what we do. In spite of your personal feelings about wearing masks, the State of Wisconsin requires the wearing of masks. Scientific evidence has shown that wearing face masks reduces the transmission of COVID-19. Despite the controversy
over whether to wear one or not, we must realize that as faith-filled Catholics we adhere to the calling of God to care for others. With the increased spread of COVID-19, it is therefore our responsibility to do what we can to limit exposure of this virus and ‘slow the spread’. We need to listen to the word of God in Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
At this time, I am also instructing those parishes which have begun to reintroduce congregational singing to stop. If we offer this up as part of our Advent sacrifice, by God’s grace we will hopefully be able to joyfully join the choir of angels as they proclaim, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Out of love for our fellow brothers and sisters, I am asking that all parishes, schools and parish religious education programs, continue to require masks until we see a significant decline in the number of positive cases. Those who are unable to medically wear a mask are asked to take alternative precautions. This request is of course in addition to continued sanitization, social distancing, and handwashing.
At the Last Supper, Our Lord implored the Father that His Church would always be one (John 17:21). Let us all join together in solidarity with each other to do our part to slow the spread of this very contagious virus and let us refuse to allow the enemy to use these simple efforts to sow seeds of division among us.
Please know of my daily and earnest prayers for your health, safety and holiness,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. James P. Powers
Bishop, Diocese of Superior
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we prepare for the Solemnity of Christ the King, it is with hope and faith in Our Lord’s power and desire to bring healing to our world. He is the Divine Physician, and we know that His will is to heal; He is the Good Shepherd, and we know that His will is to lead, guide and protect His sheep.
It is rooted in this confidence that I write to you again, imploring the faithful of the diocese and calling upon your goodwill. With the significant rise in positive COVID cases throughout our diocese, we must once again assess the seriousness of the situation.
Last spring, I had to make the most difficult decision of my time as Bishop, by temporarily halting Holy Mass. As we resumed Masses this summer, the dispensation of the obligation to attend Mass remained in place until September. At that time the numbers of new COVID-19 cases were relatively few. However, due to a number of factors including the start of the new school year and the fall and winter like weather keeping us inside more, over the past few weeks we have seen a drastic increase in the new, active COVID-19 cases throughout all 16 counties that make up the Diocese of Superior.
On November 10, Governor Tony Evers issued an executive order asking all Wisconsinites to stay home as much as possible and avoid large gatherings. Today, November 19, he extended his Statewide Public Health Emergency efforts plan to January 2021.
Given the rapid increase of new, active COVID-19 cases over the past few weeks with no relief in sight, and after much prayer and consultation, I have once again decided to grant the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of Superior a general dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. This dispensation will remain in force until further notice.
I pray that this action will help in preventing the further spread of this terrible disease. I further pray that this will relieve the burden of conscience many, who should not have returned to Mass after the general dispensation was lifted, were having. With the general dispensation back in place, I hope those who have health issues that put them at high risk of contracting COVID-19 or prevent them from being able to wear a mask will be able to in good conscience make the wise choice.
I want to make it perfectly clear that with the reinstating of the General Dispensation I am NOT issuing a closure of public Masses on Sundays or weekdays. We will continue to celebrate Mass with parishioners who are able to attend and willing to follow the proper health protocols which are in force and include the wearing of appropriate masks.
With the reissuing of the General Dispensation from the Sunday obligation you will still need to make sound and pertinent decisions for you and your family. If you are in any of the following categories:
- has tested positive for COVID-19 or come in close contact with someone who has tested positive in the past 14 days,
- are running a fever,
- has a cough or who has COVID/flu like symptoms, and/or
- are in the ‘at risk’ category due to age, compromised immune system, respiratory issues, diabetes, or if you believe attending Mass would pose an undue risk to other family members,
Although I am reinstating the General Dispensation from the Sunday obligation, I am confident that if we follow our current practices of social distancing, sanitization, face masks, and the other protocols that we have in place, those who choose to continue to attend Mass and receive the sacraments will continue to be safe.
But again, we need to be smart about what we do. In spite of your personal feelings about wearing masks, the State of Wisconsin requires the wearing of masks. Scientific evidence has shown that wearing face masks reduces the transmission of COVID-19. Despite the controversy
over whether to wear one or not, we must realize that as faith-filled Catholics we adhere to the calling of God to care for others. With the increased spread of COVID-19, it is therefore our responsibility to do what we can to limit exposure of this virus and ‘slow the spread’. We need to listen to the word of God in Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”
At this time, I am also instructing those parishes which have begun to reintroduce congregational singing to stop. If we offer this up as part of our Advent sacrifice, by God’s grace we will hopefully be able to joyfully join the choir of angels as they proclaim, “Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Out of love for our fellow brothers and sisters, I am asking that all parishes, schools and parish religious education programs, continue to require masks until we see a significant decline in the number of positive cases. Those who are unable to medically wear a mask are asked to take alternative precautions. This request is of course in addition to continued sanitization, social distancing, and handwashing.
At the Last Supper, Our Lord implored the Father that His Church would always be one (John 17:21). Let us all join together in solidarity with each other to do our part to slow the spread of this very contagious virus and let us refuse to allow the enemy to use these simple efforts to sow seeds of division among us.
Please know of my daily and earnest prayers for your health, safety and holiness,
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. James P. Powers
Bishop, Diocese of Superior
Clipping from Bishop's Letter 11/12/20
- Regarding Reconciliation during the Covid Pandemic
