We are currently experiencing a resurgence of Covid 19 as well as many break through cases for those who have already been vaccinated. Please exercise caution and good sense to limit the spread of this virus. If you have symptoms that could be Covid 19, please do not come to Mass or gather socially.
Please also remember to be charitable, humble, and patient with those who disagree with you on how to best handle this difficult situation. There are a wide range of thoughts and opinions on the best response to this pandemic and far too many un-Christian words and actions on all sides. People’s lives have been deeply affected by this and people are still dying from this disease. Please remember to be kind.
Above all, WE MUST PRAY and intercede to God for an end to this disease and a healing of our nation. I urge you to pray a weekly rosary for peace and safety in our parish and
school communities. This can be done once per week in your household, maybe a Sunday evening for the upcoming week.
“If then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
We are following our regular Mass, Confession and Adoration schedule and our bishop is leaving most of the decisions regarding precautions up to the individual pastors.
Masks are currently optional in church and at our gatherings but they are available for those who feel they need them.
We are not exchanging the Sign of Peace or distributing the Cup of the Precious Blood. We are distributing Holy Communion on the tongue for those who wish to receive in this manner but our priests have hand sanitizer available at each Communion station for those times they feel it is necessary.
We have live streaming installed at Divine Mercy but not yet at St. Bernard. You can watch all of our Masses live at Divine Mercy by clicking on this link, which is also on our home page:
WATCH MASS ONLINE (scroll down for previous Masses)Our parish offices are open but we ask that you do as much as you can by phone, email or mail. We also have a drop slot at Divine Mercy. All visitors to the parish office are required to wear a face covering.
We are allowed to use our church property (halls) for gatherings but we urge people to use common sense to exercise caution when gathering.
Confessions are available at the regularly scheduled times and by appointment: (859) 261-6172, then press 5.
Please scroll down for all of the details regarding our current situation.
Diocese of Covington Information Page
Please pray for an end to this terrible pandemic. This 20-second Memorare prayer is offered as a prayer to say while washing your hands with warm soapy water:
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known
that anyone who fled to thy protection,
implored thy help,
or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence,
I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand,
sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
While we take these needed practical steps to protect ourselves and our loved ones from physical illness, let us also strive to protect ourselves from the spiritual illness of fear, anxiety and discouragement. Let us place our trust in God and try to spend some extra time in prayer to maintain peace of heart in the midst of difficulty. Let us think of who close to us might need our help and let us always remember that:
Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made Heaven and earth. Psalm 124:8
RESOURCES:
Kentucky Department of Health Information Site
Northern Kentucky Health Department
Cincinnati Health Department Site
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
CDC Flyer on How to Stop the Spread of Germs / DETENGA LA PROPAGACIÓN DE LOS MICROBIOS
Let us pray for each other and especially those who will be most affected by this illness.