By City Times staff

LA CROSSE – The Diocese of La Crosse has now cancelled all public masses beginning March 20.

“In light of the continued concern surrounding spreading the coronavirus COVID-19, and the advice of medical experts across the country and especially in our state, all public masses in the Diocese of La Crosse will be canceled beginning 20 March 2020 until further notice,” said Bishop William Patrick Callahan Bishop.

“All fish fries, parish gatherings, etc. are also canceled. Please note, however, churches will remain open for private prayer.

“At this point we are hopeful to resume public mass by 1 May. As you know, these plans and regulations change every day. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to shorten this time frame or any of these regulations.”