The Chancery of the Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur has temporarily suspended all public masses located within Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, starting tomorrow (7 Oct).

In a statement today, Reverend Julian Leow, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, said that with the number of Covid-19 cases on the rise and with the emergence of sporadic cases, the Archdiocesan Crisis Management Task Force had recommended that additional public health measures be taken immediately to reduce the risk of transmission.
“Temporary suspension of all public masses in parishes located within Kuala Lumpur and the State of Selangor will start tomorrow (October 7) with immediate effect.
“This suspension will be reviewed before October 20 and the parishes will be notified accordingly of any future changes,” he said.

Leow also emphasised that Catholics residing in Kuala Lumpur should refrain from travelling to other states to attend Mass, as to avoid more transmissions of Covid-19.

He also added that parishes within Pahang, Negri Sembilan and Terengganu are to continue with scheduled Mass but should insist on pre-registration of worshipers wishing to attend.
He said that livestreaming of masses will still continue for those who are unable to attend Mass in person.

Leow also urged for the postponement of celebrations of the Sacrament of Confirmation, First Holy Communion, baptisms and weddings.
Should a delay be unavoidable, however, he recommended that the guest list should not exceed 20 person, before stressing that those in high-risk categories and above the age of 70 are not allowed to attend. The same limitations apply to funeral services.

“Additional measures may be taken in the future for individual parishes and districts, should the situation worsen in these areas.
“Let us continue to be vigilant and fulfill our civic duty in working to bring this current second wave under control. Let us also pray for all the health care personnel and first responders,” he said.

Yesterday, Malaysia announced 432 new Covid-19 cases, a new record daily high for the country.
Out of those cases, 429 were local cases and just three were imported cases.

In a statement by the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur issued out on 14 October, a Covid-19 positive case has been identified in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Jalan Peel.

It is said that the person had attended mass at the aforementioned church on 27 September and they have tested positive for Covid 19 on 12 October. They are currently undergoing treatment at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.
Church of the Sacred Heart, Jalan Peel statement
The statement says that the person was asymptomatic at that time and the mass held was compliant with the MKN SOP and the Archdiocesan Guidelines before, during and after to reduce the risk of infection.

The church is cooperating with the authorities by giving them the seating arrangement and necessary information for contact tracing purposes. Public masses were put on hold from 7 October and the church has been closed for complete sanitisation on 14 October.

Attendees of the mass on 27 September are urged to seek treatment if they are experiencing any symptoms.

The Vatican on Tuesday rolled out its latest "Click to Pray" app, offering a personal planner among new functions for what it hopes will be an improved digital "praying experience" in a fast-paced world.

In its own mini-version of a Silicon Valley-type unveiling, seven Church officials - including a cardinal - took part in a news conference to illustrate "Click to Pray 2.0", the first major update of the app since it was launched in 2016.



Reporters were shown a punchy, polished video illustrating the app's new functions, including a personal planner to let users configure their moments of prayer for each day and receive reminders to put the rest of the world on hold.
"Praying is not a waste of time, as we sometimes think. Prayer is like the seed in the darkness of the earth, which will show its fruit in its own good time," said Father Frederic Fornos.

The app, available in six Western languages and Chinese, gives users specific intentions for which they can pray together with Pope Francis, such as peace in a particular part of the world.

It also offers a "School of Prayer", with support for those finding it hard to get started and an option to form prayer groups around the world.

The Vatican has increased its social media presence under Francis and officials said more than 50 million people saw the pope's Tweets on Saturday concerning social justice issues.

One Italian priest in St. Peter's Square gave the new app a rave review.
"It is an extraordinary thing because it allows you to reach people that you don't physically meet, it becomes a bridge to reach those hearts that sometimes have strayed from God," said Father Cosimo Schena.

Officials conceded that the app may not be for everyone and stressed it was not a replacement for traditional, low-tech prayer.

"It is not meant to invalidate the other places or ways to pray. It is one more way to reach people who want or need a new way," said Monsignor Lucio Ruiz, secretary of the Vatican's communications department.

Source: Click to Pray 2.0 - Vatican app gets up close and personal with God