March 27, 2020
Catholic Yokohama Diocese Sueyoshicho Church
Parish Priest Joseph Akihisa Hamada
Dear Sueyoshicho Church Faithfuls
About the Holy Week and the Resurrection Liturgy
+ Peace of the Lord
The spread of the new corona virus is continuing around the world, and Japan is required to take even greater efforts to prevent the spread of this infection. The Catholic Church is no exception.
Therefore, regarding this coming Holy Week, Sueyoshicho Church will conduct the liturgy for the Holy Week this 2020 as follows. This does not apply if the Japanese Prime Minister has issued a declaration of emergency or if there is a request from the Governor of Kanagawa Prefecture and the Mayor of Yokohama to refrain from going out.
In light of the decision to close the church on March 28th and 29th, and in response to a request from the governor of Kanagawa Prefecture and the mayor of Yokohama to refrain from going out,
the following measures will be taken from April 4 (Sat) upon the celebration of the Mass:
- Only parishioners of the Catholic Sueyoshicho Church can participate in the masses.
- For safety measures and to prevent infection, we will restrict admission to 100 people.
- For cluster measures, please fill up a designated form with your specified name, address, and telephone number. The form is available on the first floor entrance of the church, on top of the table for hand disinfectant.
- Upon entering the church, a temperature measurement will be conducted, and persons who exceed 37.0 degrees will be prohibited from entering the church.
- The entrance to the church will be lock 10 minutes before the start of the liturgy.
- During the Holy Week, the entire church building will be in complete silence.
- During the Holy Week, silence is maintained during the liturgy and everybody is encouraged to pray with the words of the Priest.
- About the church facilities, only the church main hall will be open. For the meantime, the parish hall (in the 1st floor) cannot be used.
-End –