Both as a state and as a Church, we continue to grapple with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the resumption of Masses and other activities. The following is the latest.

1. The Bishop’s dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation REMAINS IN FORCE for anyone who may find it problematic while the virus continues to spread. Particularly, this applies to anyone age 65 or over, or anyone with an underlying health condition that makes complications from the virus a danger, or anyone with a compromised immune system.
2. Persons with a cough and/or a fever, or any other symptoms of the virus SHOULD NOT attend Mass until they are well.
3. Masks at church are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED, but not required. Pastors have been instructed to follow the guidance of local municipalities – where masks are required by the city, they are required by the parish; where they are optional in the city, they are optional in the parish. HOWEVER THE USE OF MASK IS ALWAYS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED.
4. The capacity of the church is currently capped at 50%. For OLOL, that is equivalent to 350 persons. With 50% of the pews blocked off, allowing 50% capacity would have been impossible while maintaining any sort of distance in seating. Therefore, the blocked pews have been unblocked. Everyone should continue to do his or her part to maintain appropriate distance. Only families should be sitting close together in pews.
5. Distance is to be maintained in the Communion lines.
6. Congregating in groups in the church building, especially near any exits or in the narthex remains prohibited. Please leave the building before stopping to visit with friends.
7. The meetings of Bible Study groups, Book Club, and the like are now permitted, as long as appropriate social distancing is maintained during the meeting and sanitization protocols are followed after the meeting concludes. Groups which are so large that social distance cannot be maintained in our current facilities are still unable to meet.
8. The main narthex doors remain the entry point for weekend Masses, so that an accurate headcount can be kept. All doors remain exit points. At weekday Masses, where a headcount is not necessary due to the low number of people attending, entry at the side doors of the narthex is allowed.
9. Confessions will remain in the chapel until further notice. Otherwise, the chapel remains off-limits.
10. Communion to the homebound is now permitted, provided certain guidelines are followed. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion who wish to resume visits to the homebound should see me to go over the new guidelines. Nursing homes and the hospital, however, remain closed to visitors.

Tanto como estado como Iglesia, seguimos lidiando con las realidades de la pandemia de COVID-19, así como con la reanudación de las Misas y otras actividades. Lo siguiente es lo último.

1. La dispensación del obispo de la obligación de asistir a misa los domingos y días festivos sigue siendo vigente para cualquier persona que pueda encontrar problemas mientras el virus continúa propagándose. En particular, esto se aplica a cualquier persona de 65 años o más, o cualquier persona con una condición de salud subyacente que haga que las complicaciones del virus sean peligrosas, o cualquier persona con un sistema inmunitario comprometido.


2. Las personas con tos y / o fiebre, o cualquier otro síntoma del virus NO DEBEN asistir a misa hasta que estén bien.


3. Las máscaras en la iglesia son ANIMADAS FUERTEMENTE, pero no se requieren. Los pastores han recibido instrucciones de seguir la guía de los municipios locales, donde la ciudad exige máscaras, la parroquia las exige; donde son opcionales en la ciudad, son opcionales en la parroquia. SIN EMBARGO, EL USO DE LA MÁSCARA SIEMPRE ES ALTAMENTE FUERTE.


4. La capacidad de la iglesia actualmente está limitada al 50%. Para OLOL, eso equivale a 350 personas. Con el 50% de los bancos bloqueados, permitir un 50% de capacidad hubiera sido imposible mientras se mantenía cualquier tipo de distancia en los asientos. Por lo tanto, los bancos bloqueados han sido desbloqueados. Todos deben continuar haciendo su parte para mantener la distancia adecuada. Solo las familias deben estar sentadas juntas en bancos.


5. La distancia debe mantenerse en las líneas de comunión.


6. Queda prohibido congregarse en grupos en el edificio de la iglesia, especialmente cerca de las salidas o en el nártex. Por favor, salga del edificio antes de detenerse para visitar a amigos.


7. Ahora se permiten las reuniones de los grupos de Estudio Bíblico, el Club de lectura y similares, siempre que se mantenga un distanciamiento social adecuado durante la reunión y se sigan los protocolos de desinfección después de que finalice la reunión. Los grupos que son tan grandes que la distancia social no puede mantenerse en nuestras instalaciones actuales aún no pueden reunirse.


8. Las principales puertas narthex siguen siendo el punto de entrada para las misas de fin de semana, por lo que se puede mantener un recuento exacto. Todas las puertas siguen siendo puntos de salida. En las misas entre semana, donde no es necesario contar con personal debido al bajo número de personas que asisten, se permite la entrada en las puertas laterales del narthex.


9. Las confesiones permanecerán en la capilla hasta nuevo aviso. De lo contrario, la capilla permanece fuera de los límites.


10. La comunión con los confinados en el hogar ahora está permitida, siempre que se sigan ciertas pautas. Los ministros extraordinarios de la Sagrada Comunión que deseen reanudar las visitas a los confinados deben verme para repasar las nuevas directrices. Los hogares de ancianos y el hospital, sin embargo, permanecen cerrados a los visitantes.

IMPORTANT UPDATE
MAY 12, 2020
VEA ABAJO PARA LEER EN ESPANOL

Dear Parishioners of OLOL:

As we resume the public celebration of the Mass, you will observe some differences which have been implemented in order to assist with social distancing and comply with various guidelines we have received.  Please read this letter carefully so that you will know what to expect.

1. BUILDING CAPACITY: we are limited to 25% of the capacity of the building.  This means in practice that a total of 187 persons can be present in the building during the celebration of Mass.  After that capacity limit is reached, others will have to wait outside the church (we have outdoor speakers, so you should be able to at least hear the Mass).  When the distribution of Holy Communion begins, those who waited outside will be able to join the lines in order to receive Communion.
2. ENTERING THE CHURCH: in order to keep track of the capacity limit of 187 persons, you will need to enter the building through the main doors of the narthex.  These are the large wooden doors which face St. Bernadette Hall.  Other doors (the chapel doors and the side doors of the narthex) will NOT be available as entrances.  This is so that an usher can accurately count the number of persons entering the building for Mass.  You may EXIT the church through any/all of the doors, however, only the main doors will be open for entry.
3. PEWS: every other pew has been blocked off.  Do not sit in any of the pews which are blocked off.  Only family members may sit close together in the pews.  Others should try to keep the appropriate distance from their neighbors.
4. HOLY COMMUNION: the distribution of Communion has been temporarily moved to the end of Mass, following the closing prayer, blessing, and dismissal.  After you receive Holy Communion, you may then immediately leave the building. This was done for two principal reasons: 1) to minimize any crowding in the narthex or at the doors as people leave the building; and 2) to enable the priest and extraordinary ministers to wash their hands immediately after distributing Communion, while touching as few other objects as possible.
5. COMMUNION LINES: there will be only three (3) lines for Communion — one in the center aisle and one on each of the two side aisles.  The second line in the center aisle has been eliminated in order to assist with social distancing.  You will also see yellow tape markers on the floor — these are at 6-feet intervals.  Please use these as a guide to maintain the appropriate social distance while standing in the Communion line.  Maintain the 6-feet interval while waiting to receive Holy Communion.
6. ENTRANCE AND OFFERTORY PROCESSIONS:  for the time being, there will be NO entrance or offertory processions.  Baskets will not passed for the collection.  Instead, please leave your offering in one of the baskets placed throughout the church — at the doors to the chapel on either side of the sanctuary, as well as at the statues of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Therese and on the gift table.
7. SIGN OF PEACE: there will be no exchange of the Sign of Peace.
8. MASKS: the wearing of a mask during Mass is not required, however, it is certainly strongly encouraged and allowed.  If you want to wear a mask, please do so.
9. MISSALETTES: books, missalettes, and other worship aids will NOT be available.  As these cannot be cleaned and sanitized, we have followed the strong recommendation that they be removed until the danger of contagion is significantly lessened.
10. SOCIALIZING: please do not linger in the narthex or anywhere else in the building in order to visit with friends and acquaintances.  When you enter the building, please immediately go and be seated.  After you have received Holy Communion, either leave the building immediately or return to a pew to pray.  I know that you’ve missed your friends from church, but until the current danger passes people simply CANNOT gather in groups of any size inside the building to visit with one another.
11. FAMILY ROOM: this is a small, enclosed space and has been closed and locked for the duration of the restrictions under which the parish must operate.
12. WATER FOUNTAINS: the water fountains have been disabled and covered in accordance with CDC and DHEC guidelines.
13. RESTROOMS: the only restrooms available are the main ones in the narthex.  All other restrooms in the church are closed.  Please use the restroom only if absolutely necessary.
14. HAND SANITIZER: a limited amount of hand sanitizer is available as you enter.  However, you know as well as I do how impossible it is to find supplies of hand sanitizer.  Use it if you wish, but please do not waste it.  

SOME FINAL REMINDERS

    * The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays remains in effect until otherwise announced.  If you are uncomfortable being in a crowd at this time or if you should not be in a crowd at this time (due to age or an underlying medical condition), you are NOT obliged to attend Mass.  No sin is committed by anyone who chooses not to come to Mass until the dispensation is lifted.
IF YOU ARE SICK, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FEVER OR COUGH, DO NOT COME TO CHURCH.

    * Masses will continue to be live-streamed on Facebook and posted afterward on YouTube until the dispensation has been lifted.

    * General Absolution will be offered at the beginning of Mass through the weekend of Pentecost (May 31).  Individual confessions will resume after June 1.

    * While we are resuming Mass and other public celebrations (baptisms, funerals, etc.), all other parish activities (religious education classes, youth group, Bible studies, prayer groups, organization meetings, social events, etc.) remain suspended until further notice.

May God bless you all,

Fr. Tebalt

*********************************************

Estimados Feligreses de OLOL:
 
Al reanudar la celebración pública de la misa, observará algunas diferencias que se han implementado para ayudar con el distanciamiento social requerido y cumplir con varias pautas que hemos recibido. Lea esta carta detenidamente para saber qué esperar.
 

1. CAPACIDAD DE EDIFICIO: estamos limitados al 25% de la capacidad del edificio. Esto significa en la práctica, que un total de 187 personas pueden estar presentes en el edificio durante la celebración de la misa. Después de alcanzar este límite de capacidad, los otros tendrán que permanecer fuera de la iglesia (tenemos  amplificadores de voz al aire libre, por lo que podrá escuchar la misa). Cuando comience la distribución de la Sagrada Comunión, aquellos que esperaron afuera podrán unirse a las líneas de distribución para recibir la Comunión.
2. INGRESO A LA IGLESIA: para realizar el seguimiento del límite de capacidad de 187 personas, deberá ingresar al edificio a través de las puertas principales del vestíbulo. Estas son las grandes puertas de madera que dan al Salón de Santa Bernadette. Las otras puertas (las puertas de la capilla y las puertas laterales del vestíbulo) NO estarán disponibles como entradas. Esto es para que un ujier pueda contar con precisión el número de personas que ingresan al edificio para la Misa. Puede SALIR de la iglesia a través de cualquiera de las puertas, sin embargo, solo las puertas principales estarán abiertas para la entrada.
3. BANCOS PARA SENTARSE: cada otro banco ha sido bloqueado. No puede sentarse en ninguno de estos bancos bloqueados. Solo miembros de la misma familia pueden sentarse juntos en los bancos. Otros deberán tratar de mantener la distancia adecuada en el mismo banco de la iglesia al sentarse.
4. SANTA COMUNIÓN: la distribución de la Comunión se ha trasladado temporalmente al final de la Misa, después de la oración de clausura, la bendición y el despido. Después de recibir la Sagrada Comunión, puede salir inmediatamente del edificio. Esto se hizo por dos razones principales: 1) para minimizar la aglomeración de personas en el vestíbulo o en las puertas cuando la gente sale del edificio; y 2) para permitir que el sacerdote y los ministros extraordinarios se laven las manos inmediatamente después de distribuir la Comunión, evitando así tocar objetos y su posible contaminación.
5. LÍNEAS DE COMUNIÓN: solo habrán tres (3) líneas para Comunión: una en el pasillo central y una en cada uno de los pasillos laterales. La segunda línea en el pasillo central ha sido eliminada para ayudar con el distanciamiento social. También verá marcadores de cinta amarilla en el piso, estos se encuentran a intervalos de 6 pies. Úselos como una guía para mantener la distancia social adecuada mientras está de pie en la línea de Comunión. Mantenga el intervalo de 6 pies mientras espera recibir la Sagrada Comunión.
6. PROCESIÓN DE ENTRADA Y OFERTORIO:  por el momento, NO habrá procesión de entrada ni ofertorio. Las cestas no se pasarán para la ofrenda monetaria. En cambio, deje su ofrenda en una de las cestas colocadas por toda la iglesia-- en las puertas de la capilla, a ambos lados del santuario, así como por las estatuas de San Miguel Arcángel y Santa Teresa y en la mesa de regalos.
7. SIGNO DE PAZ: no habrá intercambio del Signo de Paz.
8. MÁSCARAS: no se requiere el uso de una máscara durante la misa, sin embargo, se recomienda y está permitido. Si quiere usar una máscara, puede hacerlo.
9. MISSALETTES: libros, missalettes y otras ayudas escritas para la misa NO estarán disponibles. Como estos no se pueden limpiar y desinfectar, hemos seguido la recomendación firme de que se eliminen hasta que se reduzca significativamente el peligro de contagio.
10. SOCIALIZACIÓN: no se demore en el vestíbulo ni en ningún otro lugar del edificio para visitar a amigos y conocidos. Cuando entre al edificio, vaya inmediatamente a sentarse. Después de haber recibido la Sagrada Comunión, salga del edificio inmediatamente o regrese a un banco para rezar. Sé que ha extrañado a sus amigos de la iglesia, pero hasta que pase el peligro actual, las personas simplemente NO PUEDEN reunirse en grupos de cualquier tamaño dentro del edificio para conversar.
11. ESPACIO FAMILIAR: este pequeño cuarto ha sido cerrado y bloqueado por la duración de las restricciones bajo las cuales la parroquia debe operar.
12. FUENTES DE AGUA: las fuentes de agua han sido desactivadas y cubiertas de acuerdo con las pautas de los CDC y DHEC.
13. BAÑOS: los únicos baños disponibles son los principales en el vestíbulo. Todos los otros baños en la iglesia están cerrados. Utilice el baño solo si es absolutamente necesario.
14. DESINFECTANTE DE MANOS: una cantidad limitada de desinfectante de manos está disponible al ingresar. Sin embargo, usted sabe tan bien como yo lo imposible que es encontrar suministros de desinfectante para manos. Úselo si lo desea, pero no lo desperdicie.

 
RECORDATORIOS FINALES
 
            * La exención de la obligación de asistir a misa los domingos permanece vigente hasta que se anuncie lo contrario. Si se siente incómodo estar en una multitud en este momento o si no debe estar en una multitud en este momento (debido a la edad o una aflicción médica subyacente), NO está obligado a asistir a misa. No es pecado no venir a misa hasta que se levante la dispensación.
 
            * Las misas continuarán siendo transmitidas en vivo en Facebook y publicadas luego en YouTube hasta que se levante la dispensación.
 
            * Absolución general se ofrecerá al comienzo de la misa hasta el fin de semana de Pentecostés (31 de mayo). Las confesiones individuales se reanudarán después del 1 de junio.
 
            * Mientras reanudamos la misa y otras celebraciones públicas (bautizos, funerales, etc.), todas las demás actividades parroquiales (clases de educación religiosa, grupos juveniles, estudios bíblicos, grupos de oración, reuniones de organización, eventos sociales, etc.) permanecen suspendidos hasta nuevo aviso.
 
Que Dios los bendiga a todos,
 
P. Tebalt
 

     Like many people, when all this Coronavirus business first began to be the biggest news around, I assumed a lot of it was media hype.  After all, that's what the media is in the business of doing -- creating interest to fuel ratings to increase advertising dollars, etc.  As things progressed, it began to look like some cancellations and closures would be happening.  Closing schools?  Makes sense.  Dispensing people from their obligation to attend on Sunday if in danger of severe complications from Coronavirus?  Makes sense.  Absolutely.  Making other minor changes (the holy water, the sign of peace, the offertory baskets, the hand sanitizer, etc.)?  Yep, I was down with all that.  But cancelling public celebrations of the Sacraments, especially Sunday Mass? I was most definitely not down with that.  Just issue a blanket dispensation, I thought.  That would be enough -- then those who didn't want to come wouldn't have to, and those who wanted to come would be able to.  That's enough, I thought.

     But then, this past Monday evening, it happened:  the Bishop directed the cancellation of everything, including Sunday Mass, for the next two weeks.  Many accepted the announcement with equanimity.  Some folks were saddened (legitimately so) at not having access to the Mass.  A few folks got aggravated -- I heard from some of them.  Well, maybe it was from my beloved years in the U.S. Army, but I never see the point in fussing or getting upset when the boss makes a decision and issues an order.  You get your orders.  You carry them out.  Negativity and nay-saying are not good for morale in the midst of a crisis or a battle (whether physical or spiritual), especially when the negativity is not grounded in facts or ignores reality.

     You know, if you've been here at OLOL even a little bit of time, that I love history and am always looking back in history to understand the present, to understand how things came to be the way they are, and how that applies to us now.  So I started poking around, as I am wont to do.  So the first question I had was "Is the closing of churches and suspension of the public celebration of Sacraments unprecedented?"  It didn't take long to find an answer to that question -- the answer is no, it is not unprecedented.  One example is that of St. Charles Borromeo (Bishop and Doctor of the Church), who served as Archbishop of Milan from 1564 to 1584.  He shuttered the churches during an outbreak of the plague in Milan.  But heavens, that was almost 500 years ago and all the way in Italy.  What about something in America -- surely it has never happened here?

     Actually, it has, and not just in America, but right here in South Carolina, during the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic.  In Spring 1918, the Spanish Flu arrived in South Carolina with soldiers returning from World War I in Europe.  In the spring of that year, it started as mild flu, which returned in the autumn in a more virulent form.  In mid-October 1918, Camp Jackson (now Fort Jackson) in Columbia reported 39 cases.  About six weeks later, at the end of November, cases at Camp Jackson had increased to 8,255 with 412 fatalities.  Elsewhere in the state, the flu spread rapidly.  In nearby Clinton, 600 people got the flu -- out of a population of 3600.  In Greenville, during a four-day period in October, 1000 new people each day fell ill with the flu.  The city of Charleston was especially vulnerable, as it constantly saw an influx of military personnel due to the large naval base there.  The Board of Health in Charleston ordered the closure of all schools and churches (including the Catholic ones) and banned gatherings of more than five persons.  The Citadel closed.  The College of Charleson closed.  Funerals were held entirely privately in homes, for even those were not allowed in the churches.  By the end of 1918, there had been some 50,000 cases of flu in South Carolina (out of a population at that time of about 1.6 millions).  Of those 50,000 cases, 14,250 died.  In 1918, the world population was about 1.9 billion.  Between 17 and 19 million died in that pandemic.

     Certainly to this point, the Coronavirus has not proven to be nearly as deadly as the 1918 Flu Pandemic.  That is of very little consolation, however, to those who are mourning the death of a loved one.  Are these steps we are being asked to take at this time overreacting?  I don't think so.  Are the sacrifices we are being asked to make worth it?  I believe they are.  We have got to "flatten the curve" so that our healthcare system does not become overwhelmed.  Nobody wants a situation where doctors are having to make decisions like "you get the ventilator; you, on the other hand, have to lie there and die."  Our healthcare system was overwhelmed in 1918.  Let's not let that happen again.  Did our Bishop make the right decision?  You bet he did.  We know a lot more now about how an infectious disease spreads than we did 500 years, 250 years ago, or even 100 years ago.  Because we have that knowledge, we are responsible for it.  MORALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR IT.

     Now you may be thinking, "what's he talking about -- 'flatten the curve'?"  I don't pretend any expertise whatsoever in epidemiology.  But I do offer this short video below (sent to me by friend Fr. Smith at Prince of Peace in Taylors).  I highly recommend it.  It explains the danger we face at this time quite well.  I urge you to watch it.

Fr. Tebalt

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

     Please see the letter below to the faithful issued this evening (March 16) by the Bishop.  I know it may come as a shock.  I must say that I need some time to process my thoughts myself.  After I have done so, I will post some spiritual guidance here for your benefit during this difficult time.  The church will be open for private prayer each day, but the hours it will be open will be posted here on the webpage. Please check here often for updates. The parish office will be closed, effective at Noon on Tuesday, March 17.  All other parish activities, events, and meetings are cancelled.  Please call the emergency number (223-3003) for Last Rites. In the meantime, you all remain in my prayers.

From our Bishop:

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

     The COVID-19 coronavirus continues to spread throughout the United States, and we must take care to protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable. The Center of Disease Control and various government entities have issued directives to limit the number of people who can gather in one place. As a result of these recommendations, and in collaboration with other dioceses in our province, there are to be no sacramental or other liturgical celebrations anywhere in the Diocese of Charleston effective at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17 through the end of day on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.

     This directive means there are to be no Masses in the Diocese during this time; therefore, I am granting dispensation for your Sunday Mass obligation for the weekends of March 21-22 and March 27-28. Additionally, all scheduled Confessions are cancelled. Any baptisms planned in the next sixteen days should be rescheduled. All quinceañeras must be canceled or rescheduled. Confirmations will be rescheduled according to each parish’s calendar. Funerals and weddings may occur but will be celebrated privately with just the immediate family present. Unfortunately, perpetual adoration will have to be temporarily discontinued. There will be no regularly scheduled parish activities until further notice. All scheduled penance services are cancelled, and there will be no Communion calls at hospitals, nursing homes, or private homes until further notice.

     The sole exception to this policy is the celebration of the final sacraments for those in danger of death. If you need a priest for the Anointing of the Sick or Last Rites, your pastor will provide a number you can call.

     Parish churches will remain open during their normal hours so that you can come to pray. Parish offices will remain open at the discretion of the pastor.

     The College of Consultors and I will meet again on Monday, March 30, to decide how we will proceed, including whether we will have public or limited Holy Week services. In the meantime, we will update you on our response to this ever-changing health crisis on The Catholic Miscellany and diocesan websites, and on our various social media pages.

     These may seem like drastic measures; however, we must put public safety first. We are dealing with a deadly virus.

     In the coming weeks, I encourage you to pray. Watch Mass on your computer or on your television. Gather your family and pray together. We are still on this sacrificial journey of Lent. We must mark these turbulent times with prayer asking for the Lord’s boundless mercy as well as showing His love through kindness and care for our neighbors.

     These are days when we truly must care for one another by taking the appropriate precautions and providing needed help. Let us pray that the virus is dispatched quickly as we look forward to celebrating the resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday.

In the Lord’s Peace,

Most Rev. Robert E. Guglielmone

Bishop of Charleston

En Español

Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo, 

     El COVID-19 Coronavirus continúa extendiéndose en los Estados Unidos y debemos cuidar de nosotros mismos y de aquellos quienes son más vulnerables. El centro de Control de Enfermedades y varias entidades del gobierno han dado indicaciones de limitar las reuniones en donde se junta un número grande de personas. Como resultado a estas recomendaciones y en colaboración con otras diócesis, no habrá ningún Sacramento u otra celebración litúrgica en ninguna parte de la Diócesis de Charleston efectivo a las 12:00 pm del martes, Marzo 17 hasta el Miércoles, Abril 1, 2020. ​
 ​
     Esta directiva implica que no habrá más misas durante este tiempo; así es que, estoy dispensando a los feligreses de su obligación de ir a Mida los domingos por los fines de semana de Marzo 21-22 y Marzo 27-28. Adicionalmente, todas las confesiones quedan canceladas. Cualquier bautismo planeadoen los siguientes 16 días debe ser reprogramado. Todas las quinceañeras deben ser canceladas o reprogramadas. Las confirmaciones serán re agendadas según cada calendario de la parroquia. Funerales y bodas podrán llevarse a cabo, pero deben ser celebradas de forma privada y con solo la familia inmediata presente. Desafortunadamente, la adoraciónperpetua será temporalmente descontinuada. ​
 ​
     No habráactividades parroquiales hasta un futuro aviso. Todos los servicios penitenciales son cancelados y no habrá llamadas para llevar la comunión a hospitales, ni casas de enfermos, ni a casas privadas hasta un futuro aviso. ​
 ​
     La única excepción a esta póliza es la celebración de los sacramentos finales para aquellos en peligro de muerte. Si se necesita un sacerdote para atender a los enfermos para los últimos rituales, el párroco dará un número a donde se pueda llamar en estos casos. Las parroquias se mantendrán abiertas durante horas normales, para que la gente pueda ir a orar. Las oficinas se mantendrán abiertas a discreción del párroco. ​
 ​
     La comisión de consultores y yo nos reuniremos nuevamente el lunes, Marzo 30 para decidir cómo procederemos, incluyendo si tendremos servicios de semana santa públicos o limitados. Mientras tanto, les mantendremos informados de nuestra respuesta a esta crisis de ​salud por medio de nuestras páginas web de la diócesis y The Catholic Miscellany y también por medio de nuestras páginas de redes sociales. ​
 ​
     Esto pudiera parecer una medida drástica; sin embargo, debemos poner la seguridad de las personas primero. Estamos lidiando con un virus mortal. ​
 ​
     En las siguientes semanas, les pido que recen. Miren la Misa en la computadora o en su televisor. Junten a su familia para orar juntos. Estamos en un camino de sacrificio para la Cuaresma. Debemos marcar estos tiempos turbulentos con oración pidiendo a Dios por su eterna misericordia al mismo tiempo que reflejamos su amor a otros por medio de un trato amoroso a nuestros vecinos. ​
 ​
     Estos son los días en los que de verdad debemos cuidarnos los unos a los otros tomando las precauciones apropiadas y brindando ayuda al necesitado. Oremos para que el virus desaparezca pronto mientras esperamos la resurrección de nuestro Señor el día de la Pascua. ​
 ​
Que la paz del Señor este con ustedes, ​
 ​
Reverendísimo Robert E. Guglielmone Obispo de Charleston