RESOURCES/UPDATES

BEWARE OF SCAMS
Recently Father Greg shared with you the need to be aware of e-mail scams that are happening, and how to address them, regarding info from him and from the parish. I would like to take that a step further and remind you to be aware of the “stimulus check” scams that are happening now.

Fake checks ~ If you receive a stimulus check in the mail now, it is probably a fraud. It will take the Treasury several weeks to mail those out and the IRS seems to be forgoing paper checks altogether, if possible, in favor of direct deposit. If you do receive a “stimulus check” for an odd amount, especially one that includes cents, or a check that requires that you verify the check online or by calling a number, it’s a fraud.

Social media messages, phone call, or e-mails for personal information ~ The Better Business Bureau says fraudsters are sending out messages via social media, texts, and e-mails that contain links or ask a person to enter personal information and/or banking details. These messages may claim that the information is “necessary to receive your stimulus check.” Just remember that the U.S. government and especially the IRS will never get in touch with you using social media. They will usually use “snail” mail.

Another variation of the social media messages scam brings users to a fake website called the US EMERGENCY GRANTS FEDERATION and asks for your Social Security number to verify your eligibility, according to the Better Business Bureau. Be sure to do your research and see if a government agency or organization actually exists. You can usually find contact information on your own and then decide if you want to call back the company you heard from to make sure the person who contacted you is legitimate.

Claims that a “processing fee” will get your money to you sooner ~ In reality, there is no way to speed up the IRS payment process. A real government agency will not ask you to pay a processing fee in advance. You can find an official list of all U.S. federal grant-making agencies at grants.gov.

Be wary of any correspondence claiming to be the Treasury Department ~ The information you receive will come from the IRS, but remember the bulk of the stimulus checks will be done by direct deposit information that was provided to the IRS on your recent tax returns.

Finally, be wary of any pitches using the terms “stimulus check” or “stimulus payment” as the cash infusion is officially called an “economic impact payment.” Taxpayers can find official information about the stimulus payments on the IRS website. Any suspected scams can be reported to the IRS on their website or you can submit a complaint to the Federal Trade Commission on their website.

Hoping you are all well and staying safe. And please when you are out in public—wear a mask. Please let me know if there is anything that I can help with.

Blessings always,
Linda Radder, St. Bernadette Parish Nurse

Social Media Update

Hello OLGH and St. Bernadette friends!

Those of you who attend the liturgies on ZOOM, thank you for joining us! We’ve heard quite a bit of positive feedback! If you haven’t joined us, we invite you to do so.

If you’re still unsure about how ZOOM works, we have volunteers from both parish communities that will gladly help you with setup and answer any questions you might have.

If you want to get on the mailing list for ZOOM liturgies or would like to be put in touch with someone for assistance, please contact [email protected].

Please note that all ZOOM liturgies are password protected, which is why you must contact the above e-mail for the password to log in. We have had no incidents of hacking and we’d like to keep it that way, so for the protection of all that are in attendance, we will be keeping this policy and not posting any passcodes on Facebook.

Many people find the ZOOM liturgies to be much more enjoyable and prayerful than simply watching on television, because they are live, and they are with a community in real time. Please consider giving it a try.

Don’t forget to keep checking our parish Facebook pages and websites for the most up-to-date information! (Remember – you can view anything on Facebook even if you don’t have a Facebook account.) And lastly, remember to check out our YouTube Channel!

St. Bernadette Website
Our Lady of Good Hope Website
Our Lady of Good Hope Facebook Page
St. Bernadette Facebook Page
OLGH and St. Bernadette YouTube Channel

We’re doing our best to keep our communities connected and we thank you for all your support. Let us all continue to pray for one another during this difficult time.

Click on the following link to find:
The Bishops of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Doing Periodic Daily Reflections

Return to Mass Directives, Guidelines and Considerations, beginning Sunday, May 31, 2020.

DIRECTIVES are items that should be followed for the safe celebration of Mass.

Priests and deacons over age 65 or those with pre-existing health conditions, must first receive permission from the Archbishop/Vicar for Clergy before publicly celebrating Mass, by contacting the Vicar for Clergy.
Priests celebrating “help-out” Masses cannot celebrate at two different parishes on the same weekend. Optimally, help-out priests would help out only at one parish week-to-week.
Public Mass will be celebrated on Sundays only. This includes Saturday evening Mass(es) of Anticipation and Sunday Masses.
Attendance at each individual Mass is limited to no more than 25 percent of your Church’s Occupancy Permit. The obligation to attend Sunday Mass is dispensed through Sunday, July 5.
Signage should be placed on entrance doors asking anyone with fever or flu-like symptoms not to enter the church.
Priests, deacons, readers, servers, and sacristans are to wash/sanitize their hands before and after Mass, and before and after the distribution of Communion.
Communion is to be distributed only by the priest(s) and vested permanent or transitional deacon. If the presider is a priest in a higher-risk category (age/pre-existing condition), then a designated Extraordinary Minister can be used.
Hand sanitizer is to be used before the distribution of Communion. If inadvertent contact is made, the priest or deacon is to stop and sanitize his hands before continuing to distribute Communion. It may be prudent to have a small table with the proper items for sanitizing nearby.
Communion is to be received ONLY in the HAND. • Communion will not be distributed by the Cup.
Social distancing of a minimum of 6 feet between people not living in the same household must be followed.
A minimum of using every other pew should be followed. Every third pew is preferred. Intervening pews must be cordoned off.
All Missals, Bibles, prayer cards or other paper resources must be removed from pews.
Frequently touched surfaces in the church (pews/pew tops, door handles, microphones, etc.) should be cleaned and sanitized per CDC recommendations after every liturgy. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-buildingfacility.html
Hand sanitizer should be available at all church entrances.
Holy Water fonts should be emptied.
No physical contact during the Sign of Peace is allowed.
Priests should not celebrate more than three Masses for Sunday.
Additional Mass times may be added at the Pastor, Administrator, Parish Director’s discretion, but priests should celebrate no more than three Masses per Sunday.
Worship Aids are discouraged. Providing on-line worship aids is encouraged. If paper worship aids are used, they should be limited to one page and people should be directed to take them with them after Mass. If worship aids are left in pew, they must be collected and destroyed after each Mass. They cannot be reused for the next Mass. Non-essential gatherings should be suspended, including Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Post-Mass social gatherings/refreshments (e.g. Coffee & Donuts).
A cantor is allowed, but choirs should not be used.
Hospitality ministers and ushers should wear masks and should not make physical contact when greeting parishioners.
Sacristans and those who prepare communion elements must carefully wash their hands prior to touching the hosts and pouring the wine; a face-mask and gloves are encouraged.
All vessels containing the bread and wine are to remain covered until placed on the altar.
A separate chalice should be used for the celebrant, each concelebrant and deacon.
All patens, ciboria, chalices, cruets, bread and wine should remain on the credence table in the sanctuary and handled only by the sacristan or those whom the pastor delegates.
There is to be no presentation of Gifts.
All communion vessels are to be thoroughly and properly cleaned after Mass with hot, soapy water after being purified according to the rubrics.
Collection baskets are not to be passed person-to-person. Baskets with long handles are allowed. Ushers taking the Collection should wear masks and gloves. Large baskets could be placed at church exits for people to drop envelopes or donations. Ushers must immediately wash their hands after the collection.
Restrooms should be cleaned between Masses.
Offertory money should be placed in a tamper-evident bag, logged, and kept in the safe for at least 3 days before being counted.
Offertory counters should wear gloves and masks, and practice social distancing.
No paper bulletins should be distributed.

GUIDELINES are suggestions for the Priest/Parish Director’s discretion

All those as defined by the health department as more vulnerable (i.e. 60+ years of age, those with compromised immune systems, those with underlying health conditions, those who are especially anxious about being in a large group, etc.) should be encouraged to stay at home.
Mass attendance should be organized in some way.
- Designate Mass time by household name (A to H, Mass 1; I to O, Mass 2; P to Z, Mass 3);
- Provide a sign-up system either on the parish website or by calling the parish office;
- Assign a Mass time per registered family;
- Some space designation must be allowed for walk-in attendance.
The use of facemasks should be encouraged.
Ushers should direct the Communion line and markings should be placed on the floor to preserve social distancing.
If possible, hand sanitizer should be available in the aisle(s) for use by people prior to receiving communion.
Gathering Area Tables and Chairs should be put into storage so as not to invite people to use them.
Baptismal pools or those with fonts that flow into a basin should be emptied. If emptying would be difficult, the water should be sterilized with bleach after the final Mass.
Entrance doors should be propped open to limit contact with door handles or hospitality ministers may hold open doors.
The use of familiar hymns is encouraged to limit any need for a worship aid.
Directions for dismissal after Mass should be provided by the celebrant to provide an orderly exit with proper social distancing. Pew-by-pew, for example.
Attendees should be advised to wash their clothes following the service.
Parish bulletins/news should be posted to the parish website or emailed to parishioners.

CONSIDERATIONS are things to consider in establishing processes for implementing DIRECTIVES

Does your parish have enough cleaning supplies?
Develop a process for cleaning between Masses that maintains social distancing.
Determine the minimum number of people needed to clean pews and surfaces.
Estimate how long it will take to properly clean between Masses and schedule Mass times accordingly. Consider spacing Masses further apart.
There still will be a risk for anyone who attends a public Mass to contract the coronavirus.
There is no pre-determined timeline for how long restrictions will be in place.

Catholic Prayer Resources
Hello friends at St. Bernadette and Our Lady of Good Hope Parishes:

I’m sure that during this time, many people are seeking prayer resources. There are several excellent Catholic prayer resources out there that you can obtain a personal subscription to the same way that you subscribe to a magazine, so I thought I’d pass this information on to you with websites and phone information for those who do not have Internet access.

MAGNIFICAT: https://us.magnificat.net/
Magnificat is a Catholic publication based out of New York that offers daily readings and reflections, in addition to Catholic prayers. Large print issues are available. During this time, Magnificat is offering complimentary online access to their digital publication on their website. Contact them at 1-866-273-5215 to inquire about obtaining a subscription.

THE WORD AMONG US: https://wau.org/
The Word Among Us is a Catholic magazine style booklet based out of Maryland that offers daily readings and reflections, as well as inspirational articles in each issue. Contact them at 1-800-775-9673 to inquire about obtaining a subscription.

GIVE US THIS DAY: https://giveusthisday.org/
Give Us This Day is a Catholic publication based out of New York that offers daily prayers, readings, and inspirational stories of holy men and women. Large print issues are available. Contact them at 1-888-259-8470 to inquire about obtaining a subscription.

OREGON CATHOLIC PRESS is offering a 50% discount on their Today’s Missal for those who would like to receive this publication at home. This publication contains the Order of Mass, Sunday and Holy Day reading, and music. https://ocp.org/en-us/missals

For those who like to read, here are some Catholic publishers that offer books that you can purchase online:

https://www.paulistpress.com/

https://litpress.org/

https://www.avemariapress.com/

https://www.liguori.org/

I hope these resources can be helpful for you. One quick aside note -- if anyone is in need of a mask, please contact Linda Radder, Parish Nurse at St. Bernadette, and she will help you obtain one. Her contact information is 414-358-4600, ext. 158 or [email protected].