Coronavirus Update - 17 March 2020

As we enter this time of ‘hibernation’ to try to prevent the COVID-19 Coronavirus from entering our communities—please be assured of my prayers and support.  While public Mass [daily and Sunday] has been suspended at this time in all parishes across the Diocese of Sioux City, I will offer a private Mass each day for the intentions/Mass Offerings that have been assigned [as noted in the bulletin] and for you.

Our church buildings will remain open during the day for private prayer.  Thank you to those who have stopped in to pray.  At Immaculate Conception-Cherokee, I have set up a vigil candle stand near the front of the church. These are 8-hour candles.  At Our Lady of Good Counsel-Holstein are the 6-day candles.

The weekly bulletin will still be published: a limited number of hard copies will be available in church entrance by Sunday morning and the usual publication on the website.

I remain in communication with parish staff regarding daily operation including bill paying and keeping our facilities clean.  Today, work was done to setup up online giving.  We hope to complete this project soon.  We continue to welcome your weekly contribution which you may drop in the mail or drop off at your parish office or drop it off at the church in the designated basket [that will be checked regularly].  Your continued financial support is appreciated during this time as we continue to have the usual bills: salaries, utilities, etc.

I am also working on the ability to live broadcast parish events-including the Mass/Eucharist on Sundays so you may have a connection to the parish, and another option to the Masses broadcast on EWTN and other Catholic websites.  Stay tuned here for developments.

During this time of SOCIAL DISTANCING I invite you to spend time with your family, praying, learning more about our faith, and even log into https://formed.org/ for great Catholic videos, audio presentations, books, and other materials.

Please stay tuned to our website [ https://cherokeecountycatholics.org/] and Facebook page [Catholic Communities of Cherokee and Holstein, Iowa] for updates and even future live-broadcasts.

I will remain available via phone and email, and in person if needed.

Fr. Mark