Mass Obligation Dispensed in Sandy's Aftermath

Catholics within the Paterson Diocese in Morris, Sussex and Passaic counties are not obligated to attend Mass this weekend amid Superstorm Sandy restoration efforts and new gas restrictions for parts of the state, the diocese said.

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of the Diocese of Paterson announced Friday that all Catholics within the Paterson Diocese in Passaic, Morris and Sussex counties are automatically dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass this weekend if they are unable to come to church due to the aftermath of the storm.

Bishop Serratelli also has asked all parishes in the diocese to take up a special collection for victims of the storm at weekend Masses Nov. 10 and Nov. 11, according to a diocese news release.

Parishes also have been asked to collect food for diocesan Catholic Charities food pantries at Masses next weekend because the pantries were practically empty in the days after the storm, the news release said.