Message from Fr. Kevin

Due to the coronavirus, our Shepherd, Archbishop Jackels, has informed us that all public celebrations of Holy Mass are cancelled until further notice.

All Catholics in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. (See Archbishop’s full message below).

Thus, for our local parishes of Franklin and Hardin Counties, I wish to inform you of the following:

Public Masses cancelled: There will be no public celebrations of holy Mass in any of our parishes until further notice.

HOWEVER, Fr. Kevin will still offer Mass each day, and will video record, to make available for live-stream or viewing, that you can still participate in the holy Sacrifice of the Mass. (More information on this to come)

Each Sunday Archbishop Jackels will also offer a live stream of holy Mass at www.DBQarch.org

Wednesday Night Faith Formation: There will be no Wednesday night gatherings for Faith Formation until further notice.

–But please watch for more information from your local Faith Formation staff on resources to form your children in the faith AT HOME, using resources online.

–Fr. Kevin may also be making some video content that you can view at home for your own continued growth in Faith Formation.

–Please also use this as an opportunity to check out FORMED, which provides many Faith Formation resources as well.

–ALSO, please note that we will be having a summer catechetical program TOTUS TUUS July 26-31, for ALL our youth (It will be held at St. Mark’s in Iowa Falls.)

Parish Office Hours: due to this some of our parish office hours may vary; please check with your local parish office for hours.

Chapels: Our Chapels at St. Mark’s Iowa Falls and St. Mary’s Eldora will remain open for prayer at their usual time, so you can still stop in and spend time in prayer in the Eucharistic presence of our Lord.

Fr. Kevin Availability: Fr. Kevin will still be around and available to meet by appointment wWhether for business, spiritual counseling prayer, individual confession, etc).

You can get ahold of him by e-mail [email protected], or call his office at St. Mark’s, Iowa Falls: 641-648-9547

And as mentioned, I, Fr. Kevin, also intend to stay connected with you all by videos of daily mass, and perhaps some other videos of spiritual lessons that I may record and offer.

Pray to God for speedy deliverance from the evil of the coronavirus, for those who are sick or who live in fear of infection, for those who care for the sick and elderly, for those whose lives and livelihood are adversely affected by the spread of the virus, and that we might all remain calm and confident in God’s wisdom, power, and goodness.

Peace of Christ be with you,

Sincerely,

-Fr. Kevin

+++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

March 16, 2020

Message from Archbishop Jackels, to the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, regarding the coronavirus

After consultation and considerable prayer, it has been decided – out of an abundance of caution and with devotion to the common good – to take steps aimed at slowing down the spread of the coronavirus, to flatten the curve, as they say, so as not to overburden the healthcare system.

Therefore, beginning on 19 March 2020 and until further notice, the following provisions have been taken:

All public celebrations of Holy Mass are cancelled. All Catholics in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated, but with only the liturgical ministers present. The oils will be blessed, bottled, and distributed in some way to the parishes.
During this time, the Archbishop will live stream a celebration of Holy Mass each Sunday, as well as the Chrism Mass (and the Triduum, if the situation has not changed by then), and will lead the Rosary each week on Thursday. Visit www.DBQArch.org for more information about these live streamed events.
The existing schedule for Confirmation is cancelled (the Archbishop’s office will contact the parishes to reschedule).
Funerals, Weddings and Baptisms may be held, but limited to the immediate family, or at least no more than 50 people present, according to the current CDC guidelines.
Communal penance services should not be held. The present circumstances do not constitute the grave necessity required for use of general absolution. Private, one-on-one confession can be scheduled by appointment.
All archdiocesan-sponsored events where 50+ people are gathered are cancelled.

Conscious of our great need, and confident of God’s loving care, with the above intentions in mind, all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque are invited to join in a day of fast, abstinence, and prayer on Wednesday, 25 March 2020; this is voluntary, not obligatory.

On that day, people ordinarily bound on Ash Wednesday to fast (only one full meal, taking less at the other meals) and abstain from meat are invited to make those same sacrifices. And as far as prayer is concerned, the Rosary is recommended as a powerful prayer, prayed alone or with others.

God, come to our assistance. Lord, make haste to help us. Mary, health of the sick, pray for us. St. Raphael, patron of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and patron of healing, pray for us.