Gov. Tim Walz

Matthew and Melissa Tews’ children are students at Annunciation in Minneapolis. The Tews are among Annunciation families discussing what can prevent shootings and are demanding change.

The suspension of in-person gatherings and activities in the Diocese of St. Cloud due to COVID-19 will continue until at least Feb. 1, Bishop Donald Kettler reiterated in a Jan. 6 letter to pastors.

From now until the end of the year, in-person parish gatherings outside of worship services must be suspended and shifted to online meetings or conducted at home.

The order requires people coming to Mass to wear a mask when they enter a church, during Mass, and when exiting the building.

Gov. Tim Walz announced June 5 that faith communities may hold worship services in indoor settings at 50% capacity with a 250-person limit, whichever is less, starting June 10. For outdoor settings, gatherings must not exceed 250 people.

St. Cloud Bishop Donald Kettler called it an “important breakthrough” in a May 23 letter to the people of the diocese. “This breakthrough is consistent with our need to protect public health as we take significant precautions in how we come together and pray,” he said.

Minnesota’s bishops are moving ahead with plans to resume Masses at one-third church capacity May 26, a plan that defies current state directives limiting faith-based gatherings to 10 or fewer people.

Minnesota’s Catholic bishops asked parishes May 1 to prepare to resume public Masses by May 18 at one-third church capacity.