The Diocese’s 57 parishes will be offering a Mass during Christmas, including a special 9 p.m. broadcast coming from within Christ Cathedral. Garden Grove, Calif., (December 21, 2020) – The Diocese of Orange will be celebrating Mass in outdoor and digital settings at Christmas, providing a safe worship environment as the county continues to practice social-distancing measures. While pastors will be deciding their own parish’s Mass schedules, Most Rev. Kevin Vann, Bishop of Orange, has permitted earlier Masses for the spiritual good of the faithful. All of the Diocese’s 57 parishes will be celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Some will be online and others outdoors, with proper COVID-19 safety precautions in place. In addition, Bishop Vann’s dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass, and Holy Days of Obligation, remains in effect for those who are over 65, have a co-morbidity, may have Covid-19, been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or are truly afraid of contracting the virus (and, as a result, do not go out to eat or to visit with friends, etc.) For a complete listing of services, visit rcbo.staging.wpengine.com/christmasmass or visit the website of an individual parish. Services will be available in English, Spanish, Korean, Polish, American Sign Language and Vietnamese, depending on the parish. “As we throughout Orange County anticipate the birth of the Messiah and enjoy the many blessings God has bestowed upon us, it is important that we also offer our prayers for all those affected by the Covid-19 virus including our front line health care workers, those who are sick, those who have lost loved ones, and those who have lost employment,” said Bishop Vann. In addition, Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Bishop of Orange, will be broadcasting a special Mass at 9 p.m. on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. It will be celebrated by the Very Rev. Christopher Smith, the rector and episcopal vicar of Christ Cathedral since 2012. The Christ Cathedral Mass, which will be in English and American Sign Language, will be viewable by visiting http://mass.christcathedralcalifornia.org. During this time, Christmas offerings to Christ Cathedral can be made at www.christcathedraldonate.org. Other parishes throughout the county will also be accepting offerings through their respective websites or through www.supportyourparish.org.   About the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange With 1.3 million Catholics, 57 parishes, five Catholic Centers, and 36 schools, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange is one of the largest and most diverse faith communities in the United States. The Diocese empowers Catholics across Orange County to have an active life of faith that is integrated and woven into the fabric of their daily lives through the community and sacramental life of the Church. Under the leadership of Bishop Kevin Vann, the Diocese works to establish and support dynamic, vibrant parishes and schools, and welcome all to live the Gospel with faith, joy, charity and unity. Christ Cathedral, the spiritual home of the Diocese, was dedicated in July 2019. Learn more about the Diocese of Orange at rcbo.staging.wpengine.com   ###   Pastoral Center: Communications Department 13280 Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, CA 92840 office: 714-282-3075         fax: 714-282-3029