To all parishioners of IC-Cherokee and OLGC-Holstein:

This afternoon I took part in a conference call with the bishop and pastors from around the Diocese of Sioux City.  We plan to conduct this conference call each week to stay in communication regarding the status of the COVID-19.

During the call it was noted several times that we need to assume that COVID-19 is here, in our communities.  This is a hidden threat with the possibility people are carriers without knowing.

This was highlighted again today as we have more cases in Iowa, including one in Carroll County and cases in South Dakota as close as Sioux Falls.  Some of these are “community spread” cases meaning officials do not know the source of the virus to the infected person.

Thus, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT, even though it sounds cruel and inhuman, that we need to assume EVERYONE is a carrier of the virus as we do not know who they have been in contact with.

That is why we need to maintain at least as six [6] foot [if not more] social distance from EVERYONE.

I thank everyone who is maintaining this social distance, when possible as it is not always possible in places like the grocery store.

However, I still witness people who are not maintaining the proper distance from each other in public and there are reports of youth congregating in groups of more than ten [10] persons, which is currently prohibited by federal and state directives.

I continue to be in contact with my staff—most over the phone or by email and some by the six [6] foot distance.

We may be moving very soon when many of our staff will need to work from home, unless they need to be physically here [i.e. to clean the facility or do bookkeeping], as is many of the Central Catholic Office staff is doing.  And when physically on site, other staff members will not be present.

As a result of these developments and noting that while the original directive from the bishop the past Monday gave each pastors the discretion to leave their churches open for prayer, the bishop and pastors know note that this is not advised because we cannot ‘control’ where people sit, when people  would congregate, and if we can properly sanitize all areas of the facility.

Thus, as stated by the bishop this afternoon, I am mandating the following:

1. All parish facilities: church buildings, offices, and shrines [Maryhill Tower and shelter house] will remain locked 24/7 until an all clear is given.
2. Only employees will be admitted freely to our parish facilities.  Visitors will need to call first and then keep the proper social distance from employees.
3. CAP has instituted their own restrictions which I will review with volunteers to ensure volunteers and customers are protected.
4. The bulletin will only be available on our website.
5. Donations/Contributions will be accepted by USPS mail delivery and ONLINE which by the way—we have completed the setup of online giving our parish website.  You may do this by going to https://cherokeecountycatholics.org/online-giving and following the instructions.  As of this time there are only four [4] funds per parish that you to which you may make your donations.  Additional funds will be added later.

I am making this decision with a heavy heart and assure you the bishop and pastors feel the same pain in doing this.

I know this is difficult, but I believe we need to take this step to keep everyone safe as possible until this pandemic passes.

The good news is our online streaming of daily and Sunday Mass is available on the home page of our website: 9:00 a.m. – Sundays and 8:00 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday [barring any technical difficulties].

We are all in this together, and at the proper social distance we will conquer this bug.

Again, please be assured of my prayers and support and I thank you for your prayers and support.

Peace,

Fr. Mark