To the Parishioners of St. Charles Borromeo:

As now we are in this Easter season, our Bishop, Louis Kihneman, of the Diocese of Biloxi, extends greetings of peace and joy. Together, despite difficulties, we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of new life. The COVlD-19 outbreak continues to be of concern to all of us, especially as it relates to the health of our elderly parishioners that are especially at risk. Therefore, all of us, with health authorities and civil officials are still seeing the need of adequate precautions and various degrees of social distancing. Effective Friday, April 17, 2020, the Diocese of Biloxi will continue to follow the recommendations of civil authorities.

• A dispensation from the obligation to participate in Mass on Sundays/Saturday Vigils is hereby granted to all in the Diocese of Biloxi. - We cannot celebrate the Mass in a Public way.
• Gatherings for worship, prayer, devotional services, parish events, or meetings are to be rescheduled; virtual meetings are encouraged.
• Only Priests and Deacons, not Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, may bring the Eucharist to those in need, unless the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion is a family member and the circumstances warrant; greatest prudence should be exercised.
• The Anointing of the Sick should be administered only to those most in need; Priests should take every precaution in their contact with the sick.
• The Sacrament of Penance should be provided for individuals in need, with adequate distance and/or use of a fixed grille; penance services should not be scheduled.
• Weddings that cannot be limited to ten or fewer in number will need to be rescheduled.
• Only graveside funerals are permitted at this time; Priests may offer a private Mass for the repose of the soul of the departed person.
• The faithful are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours (see the Breviary app or Laudate app where a Breviary or Christian Prayer book is unavailable), the Marian Rosary, and other worthy devotions in their homes.
• Parish outreach ministries and St. Vincent de Paul conferences are encouraged to continue to offer food assistance, but distribution should be arranged so the distribution team is no larger than ten people, food is picked up or dropped off, and food recipients keep adequate distance from one another and do not congregate in groups larger than ten.
• Parishes may provide take-out or delivery meals, though the number of persons preparing the food, doing cleanup, etc., is not to exceed ten.

The Bishop assures us of his prayers and a remembrance in his daily Masses which are livestreamed. Let us remember in prayer those who have died, those who are sick, medical professionals, those whose work places them in proximity to the virus, and all who are out of work, worried and hurting at this time.

                                                  Sincerely in Christ.
                                                  Rev. Bernard J. Papania,
                                                  Pastor

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