The Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria -- home to the Chancery, The Catholic Post, and many diocesan ministries -- will be closed until further notice. With coronavirus cases spreading across the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health has recommended that residents work from home and only participate in essential activities. (The Catholic Post/Tom Dermody)

The Spalding Pastoral Center in Peoria closed on Friday, Nov. 13, and diocesan staff will work from home until further notice.

“With the virus spreading uncontrolled across the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health recommended Wednesday that residents work from home and only participate in essential activities,” wrote Patricia Gibson, chancellor, in an advisory to members of the diocesan staff on Thursday. The decision to close the pastoral center was made “in light of these recent recommendations” and “to ensure the safety of our visitors and employees,” she said.

The Spalding Pastoral Center is home to the Chancery and several diocesan ministries and offices, including The Catholic Post.

This marks the third time the center has been closed in 2020 because of the pandemic, including a nearly two-month period after the initial outbreak in the spring.  The work of the diocesan offices will continue, with staff instructed to check mail, voicemail and email regularly.

As in the previous closings, The Catholic Post will continue its normal publishing schedule. Persons wishing to contact the newspaper staff during the temporary office shutdown are encouraged to email cathpost@cdop.org or call (309) 397-7907.