Your Excellency,

We, the faithful, ask that you please reconsider your decision to cease indoor Mass.

While we are grateful that we can still attend Mass outdoors and receive the sacraments, we don't understand why we can't continue to celebrate Mass indoors.

We have been cautious and careful to practice all the safety measures and follow all the protocols to ensure the safety of Mass attendees. Were these safety measures not enough? Is there evidence of a link between COVID-19 spread and Churches that have followed the guidelines for in-person Mass?

Your Excellency, we are confused. Our priests have already gone to such great lengths to bring us the Mass and the sacraments. We are so blessed with their humble leadership. But we are sad and disheartened that we can no longer have Mass indoors after all that we have done to follow the guidelines and protect our members.

In addition, we worry as we enter the cold months, that we will be exposed to the elements and become ill as we celebrate Mass outside. We worry especially for our elderly, that they will become dangerously ill due to the cold weather. We are also concerned for our fellow brothers and sisters who attend parishes where they cannot have mass outside.

Please help us to understand. What are your reasons? We look to you for guidance and clarity on why you made this decision.

Because of the protocols and guidelines we have adopted, we feel safe in our churches. And we will continue to make every effort to keep our parish families safe.

We, the faithful laity, will continue to make every effort to keep our parish families safe. Once again, we are thankful that you have allowed us to continue to attend Mass outside. We truly believe that there is no better way for us to devoutly worship God, than to attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Please continue to feed your sheep, as Christ instructed Peter, so that we can receive the graces that the Mass provides us, to get through these difficult times, together.

Yours, respectfully in Christ,

The Laity of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.