*** Public Masses have resumed; however, please follow the listed procedures. ***
(All St. Athanasius & St. Francis COVID-19 Procedures are still found below.)
[Updated 5/20/2020]
(All St. Athanasius & St. Francis COVID-19 Procedures are still found below.)
[Updated 5/20/2020]
Go to our LIVE stream page to watch Masses, liturgies, and prayers LIVE!
Go to our CHURCH at HOME page for resources, videos, prayers, things to do on Sunday, and more!
St. Athanasius Procedures for COVID-19
On March 19, after consultation and prayer, the Archbishop decided – out of an abundance of caution and with devotion to the common good – to take steps aimed at slowing down the spread of the coronavirus so as not to overburden the healthcare system.
On May 20, the Archbishop has announced that starting 30-31 May 2020, Pentecost Sunday, the parishes in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are again able to gather for the public celebration of Mass and the Sacraments. - Thanks be to God!
*The Archbishop's Message (dated 5/20/2020) can be read HERE. *
On May 20, the Archbishop has announced that starting 30-31 May 2020, Pentecost Sunday, the parishes in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are again able to gather for the public celebration of Mass and the Sacraments. - Thanks be to God!
*The Archbishop's Message (dated 5/20/2020) can be read HERE. *
Beginning, 30 May 2020, we, at St. Athanasius and St. Francis will implement the following until further notice (updated 5/20/20).
First, please note:
First, please note:
- The Archbishop is still dispensing all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Dubuque from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. Masses will continue to be live-streamed, and the faithful who want to receive Holy Communion can still satisfy that desire at a weekday Mass.
- Please STAY SAFE AT HOME and do NOT come to Mass (this includes clergy) if you…
- Are sick, or have recently been sick, or have an underlying medical condition;
- Are frail due to advanced age;
- Are nervous about contracting COVID-19;
- Live with and/or care for someone sick, elderly, at risk, or with COVID-19; or
- Work at or regularly visit high-risk situations, where there are COVID-19 cases.
Even if Mass is being offered in parishes, the above-mentioned folks should stay home, either to protect themselves or others from contagion.
- The faithful will be asked to practice good hygiene and observe social distancing requirements, like:
- using hand sanitizer or washing one's hands upon entry;
- wearing a cloth, face mask;
- maintaining safe, social distancing (a min. of 6 ft.) from others outside of their own household;
- avoiding unnecessary gatherings and mingling; etc. - Public celebrations of Holy Mass, Funerals, Weddings & Baptisms will resume; however, due to social distancing requirements, there will only be room for a MUCH SMALLER number of people to attend each Liturgy (for example, every other pew will need to remain vacant). If there is no space for a family in the church or parish center/hall, they may need to return home.
- The celebrations of each liturgy will require some changes, as well, such as:
- fewer ministers (for example: no servers, no choirs, only one reader, only one extraordinary Communion minister, etc.);
- minimal use of singing (as there will be no missalettes in the pews);
- avoiding physical contact (thus, no hand-holding or hand-shaking at the Our Father, the Sign of Peace, etc.);
- social distancing while in Communion lines;
- receiving only the Host at Communion and preferably in the hand; and
- avoiding mingling before/after gathering in church. - Confessions at regular confession times will resume; however, a face mask will be required. If you prefer not to wear a face mask, please arrange a confession by appointment, outside of the regular times.
- Social gatherings, activities & events, including funeral meals, wedding receptions, choir practices, family reunions, gym use, (even our beloved doughnut Sundays) will still not be allowed in the church or school.
- Meetings of more than 10 people will continue to not be allowed in the church; groups are still encouraged to utilize one of the online-based, virtual forums to conduct group business.
- Regular and routine visits to nursing homes, care facilities, hospitals, and the homebound is still suspended for the time being. Emergency visits and visits to those in danger of death are sill available. Families are asked to keep Fr. Dole in the know about the conditions of loved-ones. In the cases of an emergency, please call Fr. Dole immediately!
- If you are homebound or in need of being quarantined and are unable to buy groceries, pick up medications, or run any other errands for essentials, please call the office, 319-827-6682. We will try to assist you or direct you to resources in the community.
- Parish & school offices will be OPEN to the public; however, we ask visitors to please observe the social distancing guidelines posted, and if you can be helped over the phone, we ask that you still please call, 319-827-6682, so that we can avoid unnecessary interactions.
Please remember, we’re not yet out of the woods; the coronavirus is still with us. If we’re not careful, it could come back with a vengeance. Data will continue to be monitored. Parishioners are kindly asked to understand if Mass is not available locally, should the priest decide that it isn’t prudent to reopen on account of his own compromised health situation, or because the coronavirus is still raging in the area.
In the words of our Archbishop:
God, come to our assistance. Lord, make haste to help us.
Mary, health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Raphael, patron of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and patron of healing, pray for us.
God, come to our assistance. Lord, make haste to help us.
Mary, health of the sick, pray for us.
St. Raphael, patron of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and patron of healing, pray for us.