Catholic Communities of Meade County

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I am currently under a quarantine for Covid-19 and awaiting on Saturday or Monday, Nov. 28 or Nov. 30^th , the results of the Covid Test I took on Wednesday.   Unless that test would be negative before Saturday evening, I am organizing the services for the weekend to be “Celebrations of the Sunday Eucharist in the Absence of a Priest” with the distribution of communion.   I am live streaming my private Mass each day at 8: 30 AM. You can join me on Facebook at “Catholic Churches of Meade County”.   Until I am cleared of the virus. For the good of the community, may this pass soon.   Fr. Jim
 

https://www.dcdiocese.org/news/archive/3836-coronavirus-guidelines-pastoral-care-may20-2020/file

Sacramental and Pastoral Care Update Regarding the Covid-19 Crisis
Update of July 2, 2020        Bishop John B. Brungardt
Use of Parish Facilities:
I have received many questions regarding the use of parish facilities (parish halls, church basements, school cafeterias, gyms, etc.).  Below are updated guidelines, effective July 16, 2020:
1.  Pastors, please meet with your pastoral council(s) and other consultative bodies to discuss the guidelines of the CDC, the State of Kansas, your local county, and Catholic Mutual Insurance regarding gatherings, including gatherings when serving food/drinks.
2.  Informed by the recommendation of the pastoral council, the pastor will decide what events may occur in a parish facility (usage by a parish group or rental of the facility).  Stress basic safety protocols during this coronavirus pandemic.
3.  If food/drink is served, the CDC has solid guidelines (see below).  Keep in mind the State of Kansas and your local county may have more restrictive guidelines.
4.  Please stress that the elderly, sick, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to this disease.
5.  Please stress that we do not want an outbreak due to a lax following of guidelines.
6.  Please stress that not following guidelines leaves a parish more legally exposed (discuss with your Finance Council and Catholic Mutual Insurance).
7.  Suggested analogies: wearing seatbelts in cars; following safety/security directives in air travel; following the directions of first responders during an emergency (for example, 9/11/2001 attack).
8.  For example, Blood Drives, Health Fairs, etc., would be allowed to use our parish facilities, since those health groups rigorously follow safety protocols of the CDC, State of Kansas, and the particular county.
9.  Please call me if you have questions.  Thank you for your pastoral care of your flock.  Bishop John
 
 
 
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See the CDC Guidelines    https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/personal-social-activities.html#gatherings  on the web July 1, 2020:
 
Hosting gatherings or cook-outs
Remind guests to stay home if they are sick
Remind invited guests to stay home if they have been exposed to COVID-19 in the last 14 days or are showing COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone who has had close contact with a person who has COVID-19 should also stay home and monitor their health. Invited guests who live with those at higher risk should also consider the potential risk to their loved ones.
Consider keeping a list of guests who attended for potential future contract tracing needs.
Encourage social distancing
·         Host your gathering outdoors, when possible. If this is not feasible, make sure the room or space is well-ventilated (for example, open a window).
·         Arrange tables and chairs to allow for social distancing. People from the same household can be in groups together and don’t need to be 6 feet apart – just 6 feet away from other families.
·         If planning activities for adults and/or kids, consider those where social distancing can be maintained, like sidewalk chalk art or frisbee.
·         When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.
Wear cloth face coverings
Wear cloth face coverings when less than 6 feet apart from people or indoors.
Consider providing face coverings for guests or asking them to bring their own.
Clean hands often
Consider providing hand sanitizer in addition to clearly marked hand washing areas.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when entering and exiting social gatherings. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Make sure there is adequate soap or hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol available in the restrooms and encourage guests not to form a line at the door. Consider also providing cleaning supplies that allow guests to wipe down surfaces before they leave.
Remind guests to wash their hands before serving or eating food.
Use single-use hand towels or paper towels for drying hands so guests do not share a towel.
Limit the number of people handling or serving food
Encourage guests to bring their own food and drinks.
Limit people going in and out of the areas where food is being prepared or handled, such as in the kitchen or around the grill, if possible.
If serving any food, consider identifying one person to serve all food so that multiple people are not handling the serving utensils.
Use single-use options or identify one person to serve sharable items, like salad dressings, food containers, and condiments, so that multiple people are not handling the items.
Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items
Use touchless garbage cans or pails.
Use gloves when removing garbage bags or handling and disposing of trash. Wash hands after removing gloves.
Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible.
If you choose to use any shared items that are reusable (e.g., seating covers, tablecloths, linen napkins), wash, clean, and sanitize them after the event.
----------------------------     See State of Kansas Guidelines:
Ad Astra: A Plan to Reopen Kansas:  Full Plan:
https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/1057/Plan-to-Reopen-Kansas-Framework-PDF---Full-Plan---5--26-20
 

 Pastoral Plan Outline Catholic Diocese of Dodge City 2020-2025 --

A.  John 15:12 A To Evangelize with Joy – Proclaim Christ’s love to all. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

B.   To Catechize in the Catholic Faith with Diligence – Form all as faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ. “Guide me by your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior” (Psalm 25:5).

C To Build Community with Love – Unite all in a hope-filled relationship with God and one another. “That they may all be one” (John 17:21).

D To Pray with Devotion – Worship the Father, through Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit as community and individually. “Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks” (1 Thessalonians ).

E To Serve with Compassion – Accompany all in the Lord, especially the poor. “Serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13).