St. Francis is open for private prayer. You may use the front 3 pews only. The church will be open during the day (8:30 – 5:00) and will be cleaned regularly. 4/15/20
(St. Francis Xavier Church is closed until after Easter)
DIOCESE OF SYRACUSE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CELEBRATION OF HOLY WEEK 2020
Churches are not to remain open for private prayer on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter for private prayer. However, the faithful may celebrate “Holy Week at Home.” For more information, visit https://syracusediocese.org/
In keeping with the current restrictions on distribution of Holy Communion, the distribution of palms should likewise not take place until public masses and distribution of Holy Communion resumes. There is little or no control over the spread of the virus either by passing out palms to cars driving by or by allowing people to pick them up in the church. More importantly the distribution of palms should not be presented as a substitute for the sacrament of the Eucharist for which the faithful must currently abstain.
-Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commission