COVID POLICY, as of January 2022:

The Lincoln-Lancaster County health department has issued a new DHM that includes a mask mandate for all indoor public settings within the county. It is now in effect and runs through February 11, 2022. It has legal force.

Therefore, masks are again required at Sacred Heart Church because social distancing of six feet cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to wear a mask AND maintain more social distance, please sit in the front right (by the handicap door) where the pews are still roped off, every-other pew.

Let us continue to pray for our heroic health-care workers, and for all who are suffering from Covid-19. This includes Fr. Doher, who is isolating in his part of the rectory until he recovers. Fr. Kosch left on vacation last Sunday, before any exposure could have happened, and has just returned.)

A summary of the DHM:

The DHM requires all individuals ages two and older – regardless of vaccination status – to wear a mask when they are in an indoor space unless six feet of separation from others at all times can be achieved. The DHM requires business owners to ensure their patrons ages two and older wear masks any time they cannot maintain six feet of separation with non-household members.

The DHM includes exceptions. Masks are not required for the following:
* Individuals eating or drinking or seated to eat or drink
* Those exercising
* Those engaged in an occupation that prevents the wearing of a mask
* Those obtaining a service or purchasing goods or services that require the temporary removal of the mask
* A person giving a speech, lecture, or broadcast to an audience as long as six feet of distance from other individuals is maintained
* Those individuals who cannot otherwise wear a mask because of a medical condition, a mental health condition, or a disability that prevents the wearing of masks
* Courts of law; meetings or sessions of the Nebraska Legislature; individuals accessing federal, state, county, or city government services; congregate living settings; group homes and residential drug and/or mental health treatment facilities; or shelters

For more information on the DHM, visit http://covid19.lincoln.ne.gov or call 402-441-6280. For general information on COVID-19, visit the website or call the Health Department hotline at 402-441-8006.

Please click here to see this week’s bulletin, for information specific to Sacred Heart.

THE BISHOP’S LETTER:

Mass Obligation—On May 23, the Solemnity of Pentecost (this weekend), the Sunday and holy day Mass obligation will be restored in the three Catholic Dioceses of Nebraska.

Bishop Conley wrote the following on March 31:

I would like to use the occasion of this announcement by recalling the deepest reasons why Catholics have a grave obligation to attend Mass as well as clarify, in light of COVID-19, when the obligation does not apply.

The reason all Catholics have a grave obligation of being physically present for Mass on Sundays and holy days is because the Eucharist is at the heart of what it is to be a Christian. In the Eucharist, Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord is truly present. When the Mass is celebrated, heaven comes to earth and the redemption Jesus attained on the cross comes to us personally. When the scriptures are proclaimed, God Himself speaks to His people.

In Holy Communion, when we receive him worthily, that is, without mortal sin, we are physically and spiritually united to Him and to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Likewise, participation in the celebration of the Eucharist on Sundays is the primary way that we keep the Lord’s Day holy and so live out the third Commandment. These are some of the deepest reasons why there is an

Nevertheless, there are certain instances when a person is “excused for a serious reason” (CCC 2181) from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days.  A serious reason occurs when one is physically or morally prevented from attending. For example, if a person is sick from a bodily illness or if one has no means of reasonable transportation, then he or she is physically prevented from attending Mass and the obligation no longer applies.

Likewise, if a parent is taking care of a sick child, or if military personnel would compromise their duty for the common good, then one is morally prevented from attending Mass and the obligation no longer applies.

 What about COVID-19? Here I would like to offer some guidance on when the obligation does not apply:

• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have good reason to believe that you may have contracted it
• If you are ill or have a condition that would seriously compromise your health if you contracted COVID-19
• If you care for the sick, homebound, or infirmed and have a compelling reason for believing that you would infect them by going to Mass
• If you have significant and grave fear or anxiety of becoming ill by being at Mass
• If you are elderly or pregnant and have a serious reason to believe you would put yourself or your child at risk by attending Mass

In applying this guidance, each person must use their good judgment. If someone is unsure, confused, or concerned about a scenario not listed here please consult any priest for clarity.

It is my hope and prayer that…Pentecost will be a time of vital renewal in the Church in Southern Nebraska.