Changes during Covid-19: Mass, Office, meetings, halls…

The Diocese of Covington has resumed the public celebration of Mass as of May 20. We will follow the same schedule of Masses as before, observing social distancing. Please read our pastor’s letter, bishop’s letter, and watch our bishop’s video:

Until we can get a camera professionally installed at Divine Mercy, we will only be live streaming Masses on the weekend from St. Bernard and the sound and picture quality will not be ideal. See our bulletin for when we will live stream.

You don’t have to have a Facebook account to watch our live streamed Masses. Just go to:

https://www.facebook.com/BellevueCatholic/ or

https://www.facebook.com/DaytonStBernard/

If you do have Facebook, please “LIKE” our parish Facebook pages for notification of lived streamed Masses from Divine Mercy and St. Bernard.

Previously Recorded Masses at St. Bernard and Divine Mercy

Our parish offices are partially open but with limited hours and we ask that parishioners only visit by appointment. You can drop an envelope in our mail slot or communicate with our secretary by phone or email.

All non-essential, non-liturgical events or gatherings on parish property (meetings, sports, practices, fish fries…) until are still on hold for now.

People may still opt to participate in Sunday Mass via live streaming or televised if they feel they would be at risk coming to church. People are asked to observe social distancing if they choose to visit church or come to Mass.

3/18/20 LETTER FROM BISHOP ROGER J. FOYS

3/27/20 LETTER FROM BISHOP ROGER J. FOYS

5/12/20 PROTOCOLS FOR RESUMING MASS DURING COVID 19

Please be assured that Fr. Martin and Fr. Sherit will continue to say Masses each day for your intentions.

Confessions are available at the regularly scheduled times and by appointment: (859) 261-6172, then press 5. At St. Bernard we are using the Baptistery for confessions.

Please scroll down for all of the details regarding our current situation.

Diocese of Covington Information Page

Please, out of charity for others, do not come to church, even for private prayer, if you have any kind of cough or fever.
Please use hand sanitizer upon entering church.
Please don’t greet other parishioners with physical contact like a handshake while in church.
Please leave 6 feet between yourself and others, at all times while in church.
We have emptied the Holy Water fonts to avoid the transmission of germs.
We will be washing the pews and disinfecting surfaces people touch (door handles and bathrooms) after every Mass.
For those who want to be extra careful, we also have an antibacterial Pledge furniture cleaner that can be used to disinfect pew tops BEFORE you touch them while in church (even though they have already been washed). Spray the product on a cloth and leave the Pledge can by the entrance. After Mass, place used cloth in the bin on the floor to be laundered.
PLEASE DO NOT WIPE WOODWORK (PEWS) WITH CLOROX WIPES. IT WILL STRIP THE FINISH.
AFTER Mass, we will use the Murphy’s Oil Soap spray bottles to clean the pews as it is much less expensive.
Those who are 65 years of age or older, or have an underlying health condition such as diabetes, a compromised immune system, or diseases of the heart, lungs, or kidneys, are encouraged to consider staying home to avoid exposing themselves to this virus.
Please bear in mind that young people who get Covid-19 may only have mild symptoms but they can be carriers to spread the virus.
Even if you are sure that it is just seasonal allergies, if you are coughing, please avoid being around other people.

Please pray the Memorare prayer while washing your hands often with warm soapy water for 20 seconds:

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.

These steps are based on guidance from our Bishop, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship, the United States Center for Disease Control, our own St. Elizabeth Healthcare, and the practice in a growing number of dioceses in our country.

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.