May 29, 2020 In This Issue ESSEESSENGERNGER M Serving the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky since 1926 Special Section: Graduates page 7-10 2 Falmouth flood delays return to Mass 2 DPAA appeal letter Coming soon to mailboxes 3 Official Assignment Public celebration of the 3 Pentecost reflection Mass resumed, May 20, 8:15 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, 3 Sisters assemble care packages Covington. (above) Pews Latino community at risk for were marked so that COVID-19 worshipers could maintain social distancing protocols. (left center) Mary Easterling, 3 Jubilarian facilities manager, secures Sister Barbara Sheehan, S.P. the doorstop allowing the doors to remain open so that worshipers do not need to 7 Bishop Foys honors graduates touch the door handle. Baccalaureate Mass for (left bottom) Booklets and diocesan schools worship aids have been removed from the greeters desk and have been replaced 12 ‘Be Witnesses’ with hand sanitizer, tissues and face masks. (right) 13 Marriage and the annulment Father Ryan Maher, rector, wears a mask as he distrib- process part III utes Holy Communion. Keener photos 13 Obituary Sister Mary Rosanne Boh, S.N.D. Public celebrationofthe Mass resumes, Alleluia Laura Keener for the Diocese of Covington. The complete list protocols is available Editor on the diocesan website, www.covdio.org. As pastors opened the After 62 days (since March 20), public celebration of the Mass church doors, parishioners were asked to assist their priests in imple- Commentary . .4 resumed, May 20, in the Diocese of Covington. It was a day long antic- menting the protocols. Classifieds . .13 ipated by Bishop Roger Foys, the priests of the diocese and the lay Some highlights of the protocols are: Shopper’s Guide . .14 faithful. — Those that are sick should refrain from attending for 14 days News Briefs . .15 “I’ve heard from the priests that there is anywhere from 10 percent from when symptoms began. to 50 percent of their normal congregations,” said Bishop Foys, May — Masses will be celebrated with a 33 percent capacity reduction. 27, in an interview about the first weekday and weekend Masses. “The — Social distancing is required; pews are marked so that parish- people who are there are very happy that the Mass is available. There Missed an edition? Current and back ioners maintain six-feet spacing from each other. issues of the Messenger are available are still some people who are nervous and I certainly understand that, — Face coverings are encouraged for all and required for ushers online at covdio.org/messenger. especially people who are at high risk.” and extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion. For anyone who has underlying health conditions or falls into the — Distribution of Holy Communion will be under one species, the high risk categories of developing complications from the coron- Body of Christ. avirus or anyone who feels nervous about venturing out in public, — Churches will be cleaned and sanitized after every Mass. Bishop Foys has extended the dispensation from the Sunday obliga- “The people have been very cooperative, especially in terms of san- tion of attending Mass. Many parishes, including the Cathedral itizing the pews after Mass and not gathering in groups after Mass. I Basilica of the Assumption, are still live streaming Mass so that those haven’t heard any glaring complaints,” said Bishop Foys. “I wish at home can join spiritually with their parish. more people would wear masks at Mass; we advise that but do not Bishop Foys did caution, as did Pope Francis, that people not get mandate that.” the misconception that the live stream somehow replaces the in-per- When asked what celebrating Mass under the new protocols looks son, public celebration of the Mass, especially in the long term. like from the celebrant’s point of view Bishop Foys said, “It’s strange “The Mass is more than just a church service. We have the to see very small crowds spread out over the entire church.” But, he Eucharist and the Eucharist is what sustains us,” said Bishop Foys. said, it looks to him like the social distancing protocols should offer “Part of the Eucharist is coming together as a community — our faith parishioners a safe place to worship. calls us to that. Jesus instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper with Bishop Foys and the priests are hopeful that in the coming days, as his apostles; he didn’t just do it on his own somewhere. The whole more is learned on how effective the protocols are working, more of notion of a parish and parish life is bringing people together because, the lay faithful will physically make their way back to Mass. certainly, the Eucharist is the body and blood of Christ but the gath- “I don’t fault people (for being cautious). I think it is going to take ered community is also the body of Christ. It’s very important for us awhile,” Bishop Foys said. “For eight weeks we have been cautioned to come together and worship together — the Eucharist is what binds to be careful and we know the virus is very contagious, so it will take us together.” awhile for us to get used to that. There is a hesitancy, which we can Before public Masses resumed, a list of protocols developed by appreciate and we have to support.” Bishop Foys and a task force of about ten Curia members was shared Bishop Foys said that after one more week of experience in cele- and discussed with diocesan consultors, deans and priests. After the brating both weekday and weekend Masses, he, his staff and the discussions, adjustments to the protocols were made. On May 12, priests will review the protocols in light of that experience. Bishop Foys promulgated the protocols, making them particular law “If we need to change any of the protocols, we will do that,” he said. 2 May 29, 2020 Messenger DPAA appeal letter coming soontoparishioners mailboxes Laura Keener At the dinners, hundreds of attendees made their pledges. ing the entire faith community with a DPAA appeal letter Editor Those who were unable to attend the dinner received their sent directly to their homes. Understanding the economic Parishioners will soon be receiving in their mailboxes pledge cards in the mail and many have mailed back their difficulties the pandemic has had on many individuals and a letter from Bishop Roger Foys with a request to support pledges. families makes it even more important to fund the min- this year’s Diocesan Parish Annual istries supported by the DPAA. Appeal. The theme for this year’s “It’s incredibly important to parish- appeal “Hope Does Not Disappoint … es because the ministries that are fund- the Love of God Has Been Poured Out ed by the DPAA work with parishes and Into Our Hearts” has taken on new support the parishes and their min- meaning as the COVID-19 pandemic istries at the local level. Parishes, too, has upended every aspect of daily life rely on the rebate monies that come in — including faith life. every year,” said Mr. Murray. “Especially in these hard times I Just like in previous years, all think people are realizing the impor- monies collected over the parish goal tance of being a part of their parish will be returned to the parish in the community because of the services form of a rebate. For many parishes the offered and the support that is lent,” DPAA rebate has funded some major said Michael Murray, diocesan direc- parish projects — adding elevators, tor, Stewardship and Mission Services. remodeling parish halls, repaving park- “Now that we had to suspend Mass and ing lots and even offering scholarships we are restarting, I think people have a to parish families who send their chil- renewed understanding of the impor- dren to Catholic school. tance of Mass and living a faith-filled “There is going to be some incredible life. I think people have a greater appre- need throughout our community and ciation for the sacraments and what Bishop Foys feels very strongly that the Church offers.” ministries of our diocese need to be Mr. Murray said that before the Curia offices were That’s when everything was shut down. funded so they can continue to offer the services they closed and the public celebration of Mass suspended, the Announcement weekend (March 14 and 15) — when offer,” said Mr. Murray. “Our parishes, too, will probably DPAA was off to a strong start. In February, Mary Paula parishioners were to view the DPAA video at Mass — be hurting, so it’s important that the DPAA be there to help Schuh, DPAA general chair, and Randy Rawe, DPAA lead- didn’t happen. Commitment weekend (March 28 and 29) — them, too.” ership gifts chair, had recruited 40 solicitors that contacted when parishioners are able to make their pledge at Mass — For information about the 2020 Diocesan Parish Annual the top 200 donors. Over 3,600 invitations went out for the didn’t happen. Now, as things begin to open back up, the Appeal, visit the diocesan website www.covdio.org. two DPAA kick-off dinners that were held in early March. Stewardship and Mission Services Office will be contact- Returntodaily Mass delayedatFalmouth parish Lynn photo Monica Yeamans Father Ludwig said his first thoughts of the potential Editorial assistant flooding brought back memories of the flood of 1997. He Bishop Roger Foys announced May 13 to all the priests remembers viewing the aftermath of the flood damaged and parishes that public Masses could resume beginning area with his parents. His family used to come down to Wednesday, May 20.