This is a great question, especially when you look at the calendar and realize we’re already in hurricane season! Here is the parish policy. The first section answers this question. Please read the rest. It may be difficult to communicate during a weather emergency. This policy will be a big help to you.
Mass and other liturgy Cancellations
• Under no circumstances will the parish celebrate a Mass when the parish is included in a mandatory evacuation order. Therefore, all scheduled Masses are cancelled beginning with the issuing of a mandatory evacuation order and continuing until that order has been lifted. Otherwise, it is the expectation of the parish to offer regularly scheduled Masses.
• Parishioners are encouraged to use their best judgement in deciding to attend Mass before and after a storm. Safety is paramount and missing a Mass because of safety concerns is not a sin. Therefore, no parishioner is under any obligation to attend a Mass if they decide their personal safety will be at risk in doing so.
Meeting and event Cancellations
• Under no circumstances will the parish conduct any scheduled activity when the parish is included in a mandatory evacuation order. Therefore, all scheduled parish activities are cancelled beginning with the issuing of a mandatory evacuation order and continuing until that order has been lifted.
• In the time leading up to a storm, the parish wants to be sensitive to parishioners who need to prepare, and later clean up from, the storm. Therefore, the parish will not require attendance at any meeting within 5 days prior to expected landfall (or nearest point of influence) and 5 days following the passage of the storm.
• At all times, parishioners are encouraged to use their best judgement in deciding to attend a parish meeting before and after a storm. Safety is paramount. Therefore, no parishioner is under any obligation to attend a meeting if they decide their personal safety will be at risk in doing so.
• Individual groups are empowered to cancel meetings beyond what is included here. Group leaders are charged with conveying this information to their members and to the parish office
• The parish staff will, to the extent possible, inform parishioners of meeting cancellations.