October 9, 2020 In This Issue ESSENGER M Serving the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky since 1926 Thatcher photos The exterior of the new Cancer Center Special Pages at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Edgewood. The Eucharist: The Source and Summit page 9 – 12 2 Cultivating love for the rosary Coronavirus update Trick or treat advisory 3 Permanent deacons renew promises Bishop Roger Foys prays a blessing over the new St. Elizabeth Cancer Center at the dedication Official Assignment Sept. 27. Obituary Wanda Rottgers 15 VIRTUS updates Schools now offering free lunch to all students Statement of Ownership 16 Obituary Sister Elizabeth Kelemen, CDP Obituary (left to right) Kathy Jennings, senior vice president patient care, cancer care, Dr. Doug Flora, MD, executive director, Cancer Center, Debbie Simpson, Sister Marianna Rumpke, SND St. Elizabeth Board of Trustees chair, Garren Colvin, St. Elizabeth president and CEO, Bishop Roger Foys and Father Dan Schomaker, vicar general. New cancer center dedicated at St. Elizabeth Edgewood Bishop’s Schedule . .3 Allegra Thatcher the programs in it, has a soul. It’s a soul tied to the mission and vision Commentary . .4 Assistant Editor of our institution, which goes back 155 years. When this building People and Events . .6 It’s a week for new beginnings and an advent of hope at St. opens Oct. 1, the amount of lives who will be impacted by the people, Elizabeth Healthcare, Edgewood. The new Cancer Center was dedi- programs and medicine that will fill these halls, is positively over- Did You Know . .6 cated Sept. 29 by Bishop Roger Foys after the ribbon cutting ceremo- whelming.” Classifieds . .14 ny, and opened to its first patient Oct. 1. Bishop Foys, who brought a first-class relic of St. Elizabeth, VIRTUS . .15 Mr. Garren Colvin, president and CEO, said, “This building, and (Continued on page 17) Shopper’s Guide . .16 News Briefs . .19 Pope signs new encyclical in Assisi Missed an edition? Current and back Cindy Wooden issues of the Messenger are available Catholic News Service online at covdio.org/messenger. VATICAN CITY — Bringing the Vatican official in charge of translations with him, Pope Francis signed his new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity and Social Friendship,” at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi, source of the document’s title and inspira- tion. After celebrating Mass at St. Francis’ tomb Oct. 3, the eve of the saint’s feast day, the pope called up Msgr. Paolo Braida and explained to the small congregation that the monsignor is in charge of “translations and the speeches of the pope” in the Vatican Secretariat of State. “He watches over everything and that’s why I wanted him to be here today,” the pope said. He also brought with him the Spanish CNS photo/Vatican Media official who oversaw the accuracy of the various translations and Pope Francis signs his new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti, on Fraternity the official who translated the text from Spanish into Portuguese. and Social Friendship” after celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. Pope Francis set the text on the altar under the tomb of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy, Oct. 3, 2020. Francis and signed it. although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned The encyclical was scheduled to be released to the public Oct. 4 just you have revealed them to the childlike.” after midday. Because of measures designed to contain the coronavirus pandem- Pope Francis arrived late for the Mass in the crypt of the Basilica of ic, the Mass was described as “private.” Only about two dozen people St. Francis after making a brief stop in Assisi at the Basilica of St. were in the small crypt chapel; they sat socially distanced, one person Clare, which houses the tomb of the close follower of St. Francis and in each pew, and wore masks. founder of the Poor Clares. Several Franciscan sisters were present, as were the ministers gen- The pope did not give a homily during the Mass, simply praying eral of the main Franciscan orders of men: Father Michael Perry, min- silently for several minutes after the reading of the Gospel. The text ister general of the Franciscans; Father Roberto Genuin, minister gen- was that prescribed for the feast of St. Francis, Matthew 11:25-30, which eral of the Capuchins; and Father Amando Trujillo Cano, minister gen- begins, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for eral of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis. 2 October 9, 2020 Messenger Holiday advisory for schools during COVID-19 Messenger staff report houses, hayrides, costume parties or traveling to fall festivals. As the diocese continues in-person instruction at its 39 Instead, the KPH encourages low-risk activities like carving Coronavirus Report schools, COVID-19 cases are developing at a slow but steady and decorating pumpkins, watching movies together as a (as of Monday, Oct. 5) rate. Based on the details of Catholic school cases in the dio- family, having a scavenger hunt around the house for cese, students are not contracting the illness at school. Halloween treats or dressing up for a drive-by Halloween cos- Positive Cases Instead, exposures are mostly from small family gatherings. tume contest. Active positive cases: 5 In many cases it is a parent or a college-aged sibling who has KPH also encourages parents to focus on keeping Recovered positive cases: 28 tested positive for COVID-19. Halloween fun and safe for children by avoiding adult activi- “I can’t stress enough how important decisions on seem- ties that further increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Total ever positive cases: 33 ingly limited travel and small gatherings outside of school “These are difficult choices parents are being asked to have on individual students and the school community,” said make, that include sacrificing many fun experiences we all Currently Self-quarantined Laura Keener, diocesan COVID coordinator. “A single positive want our children to enjoy, but we have to weigh the benefits Contacts: 5 case in the classroom can put dozens of students in quaran- against the risks. Is it worth my child transitioning to at- Close Contacts: 171 tine. The student of a parent who has tested positive will need home instruction for nearly a month to go trick-or-treating? Is to transition to at-home instruction for 24 days. When choos- attending or hosting a party worth 12 or more of my child’s ing to travel or to participate in social gatherings — even classmates missing out on in-person instruction for two Returned to class after quarantine/ small family gatherings — we are asking parents to seriously weeks? Especially since viewing on social media the many self-quarantine: consider whether or not the activity is absolutely essential. If drive-by birthday celebrations over the summer, our parents From Sept. 29– Oct. 5: it is, remember to wear a mask and practice safe social dis- have already demonstrated that they can find safer, alterna- 65 students tancing.” tive ways to celebrate that in some cases become new tradi- Total ever: 416 students As the holidays approach, it is important to adhere to guid- tions after the pandemic,” said Mrs. Keener. “We are trusting ance offered by Kentucky Public Health and the Center for our parents to make in-person instruction and the health of Schools currently with quarantines and Disease Control on how best to celebrate in ways that are safe. our school communities a priority every day, especially dur- self-quarantines: (20 of 39 schools) For Halloween, KPH is encouraging parents to avoid high- ing the upcoming holidays.” risk activities like door-to-door trick-or-treating, haunted Bishop Brossart High School, Alexandria Covington Catholic High School, Covington Covington Latin School, Covington Holy Cross District High School, Covington Holy Family School, Covington Trick or treat the safe way: Holy Trinity School, Bellevue If trick-or-treating is permitted in your community, please — Drive-by costume or car decorating contest with judges Immaculate Heart of Mary School, Burlington trick or treat the safe way. who are social distancing. Mary, Queen of Heaven School, Erlanger — Maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet from anyone Avoid higher-risk activities: not within your household. Notre Dame Academy, Covington — Traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. — Always wear a face covering. — Trunk or treat events with large groups in parking lots. St. Henry District High School, Erlanger — Halloween masks DO NOT count as a face covering. — Costume parties. St. Agnes School, Ft. Wright — Clean hands before and after touching the wrapped — Haunted houses. St. Anthony School, Taylor Mill candy. — Hayrides or tractor rides. St. Cecilia School, Independence — Trick or treat in family groups and don’t congregate — Traveling to fall festivals in neighboring towns. in large groups. St. Joseph School, Cold Spring — Any event with large crowds. — Trick or treat in your own neighborhood. Do not travel St. Mary School, Alexandria to other neighborhoods. Reminder: St. Patrick School, Maysville — Use hand sanitizer often, especially after contacting fre- — Stay home if you are sick. quently-touched surfaces and before eating anything. — If your child is at greater risk of complications from St. Paul School, Florence COVID-19, use extra caution and avoid moderate and Consider safer alternatives: St. Pius X School, Edgewood high-risk activities. — Carve or decorate pumpkins for display. St. Timothy School, Union — Consider the people in your household who may be at — Decorate your home or living space. risk of greater complications from COVID-19. Villa Madonna Academy, Villa Hills — Have a virtual Halloween costume contest. — Focus on keeping Halloween fun and safe for children (Schools without students in quarantine or — Watch Halloween movies with the people you live with.