Please note that protectve masks must be worn at all Masses until further notice.
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.
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.
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.
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
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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.
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
In accordance with directives from our Bishop (see below), please note that all parish liturgies, devotions, meetings, and events are cancelled from now until the end of the day on April 1st. Specifically, this means that there will be no public celebration of Masses during this time -- neither on weekdays nor on Sundays. The Bishop has dispensed everyone in the diocese from the Sunday obligation for this weekend (March 21/22) and next weekend (March 28/29). The cancellation applies also to the regular Saturday-afternoon Confessions, the Thursday-evening Stations of the Cross, the Friday-evening Holy Hour, all choir rehearsals, as well as any prayer meetings. There are to be no public gatherings of any kind in the church. The only exceptions are funerals, which may be attended ONLY by immediate family members. Additionally, those in danger of death may receive Last Rites -- please call the office (223-8410) or the emergency number (223-3003). All Communion calls to hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes are suspended. This is in keeping with the wishes of public health authorities and health-care facilities. As above, the only exception is for those in danger of death. The church building will be open limited hours everyday for private prayer. Typically, these hours will be 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. That is subject to last-minute change, however, so please check here on the parish website each day for the hours when the church will be open BEFORE leaving your home. The cancellation applies to all meetings, devotions, and events: there are no exceptions. Many heads of organizations have keys and alarm codes to the parish hall. Please do not attempt to have any kind of meeting or gathering or event during this time. If I discover anyone violating this directive, I will take your key to the parish hall away from you. Parish staff will continue to work limited hours during this time (Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon). You may still call the office during those times or email about any business to which you may need to attend. However, the office will be physically closed, even during those limited hours. I have arranged to have Sunday Masses in English and in Spanish videotaped. They will be made available on the parish's YouTube channel. A link will be posted on the parish website and on the parish's Facebook page, so that you may watch from home. Please check the parish website (www.olol.org) often for updates. You all will be in my prayers each time I celebrate Mass privately during the next two weeks. Finally, make a Spiritual Communion every day! It's easy to do and doesn't take long. Instructions on how to do so are all over the internet. Fr. Tebalt En EspañolConforme a las directivas de nuestro Obispo, le notificamos que todas las liturgias, devociones, reuniones, y eventos de la parroquia están canceladas desde este momento hasta el final del día 1 de abril. Específicamente, esto quiere decir que no habrá celebración publica de Misas durante este tiempo—ni en días de la semana ni los domingos. El Obispo ha otorgado una despensa a todos en la diócesis de la obligación de asistir a Misa dominical para este fin de semana (21/22 de marzo) y el próximo fin de semana (28/29 de marzo). Esta cancelación también aplica a las Confesiones regulares de los sábados en la tarde, las Estaciones de la Cruz o Viacrucis de los jueves, la Hora Santa de los viernes, toda práctica de los coros y grupos de oración. No habrá tipo alguno de reunión pública en la iglesia. Las únicas excepciones son los funerales, que serán atendidos UNICAMENTE por la familia inmediata. Adicionalmente, aquellos en peligro de muerte puede recibir la Unción de los Enfermos—por favor llame a la oficina (223-8410) o al numero de emergencia (223-3003) de ser necesario. Toda llamada a hospitales, hogares de ancianos, y hogares privados están suspendidos. Esto es para cumplir con los deseos de las autoridades de salud pública y centros de salud. Como indicado anteriormente, la única excepción es para aquellos en peligro de muerte. El edificio de la iglesia estará abierto diariamente durante horas limitadas para oración privada. Generalmente, estas horas serán de 10 A.M. a 3 P.M. Sin embargo, esto está sujeto a cambios de última hora. Por lo tanto, por favor visite el sitio web de la parroquia diariamente para verificar las horas en que la iglesia estará abierta ANTES de salir de su casa. Esta cancelación también aplica a toda junta, devoción o evento: no hay excepciones. Muchos líderes de grupos tienen llaves y códigos para la alarma de los salones parroquiales. Por favor no intenten tener reuniones o eventos durante este tiempo. Si encuentro alguien violando esta directiva, tendré que pedirle su llave de los salones. El personal de la parroquia continuará trabajando un horario limitado durante este tiempo (de lunes a jueves de 10 A.M. a 3 P.M. y de 10 A.M. a 12 del medio día los viernes). Usted todavía podrá llamar durante estas horas o enviar correo electrónico para algo que usted necesite. Sin embargo, la oficina estará físicamente cerrada, aún durante ese horario limitado. He hecho arreglos para que las Misas dominicales en inglés y español sean grabadas. Estarán disponibles en el canal de YouTube de la parroquia. Pondremos un enlace en www.olol.org y en la página de Facebook de la parroquia para que pueda ver la Misa desde su hogar. Por favor, revise www.olol.org con frecuencia para mantenerse al corriente de la situación. Ustedes estarán en mis oraciones cada vez que celebre la Misa privadamente durante las próximas dos semanas. Finalmente, haga una Comunión Espiritual cada día. Es fácil y no toma mucho tiempo. Las instrucciones para hacer esto están en el internet. 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
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