Covid-19 Information

Dear Parishioners, During this time of uncertainty and anxiety, I pray that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. This crisis challenges us to act responsibly by following the social isolation guidelines while striving to stay close emotionally and spiritually to our families, our friends, and our communities. Please join me in praying for those affected by COVID-19, as well as our first responders, health care workers, and individuals who have lost income due to precautionary closures.

Times such as these highlight the need for the spiritual sustenance and community connectivity that Divine Mercy Parish provide every member of our Catholic family. To protect the safety of our community, most pastoral services and ministries are currently being performed virtually. Our priest and deacons are available to minister to all of your spiritual needs. Please contact the parish office at 504-466-5016. I invite you to visit our website, www.divinemercyparish.org, for up-to-date information on liturgies and other resources.

It is critically important that our parish receives the offertory support to remain operational and sustainable despite the temporary suspension of weekly Masses. Your donations will assist Divine Mercy Parish with ongoing expenses related to ministry, maintenance, utilities, staff, and other pressing needs, that depend on regular offertory support from our parishioners. It will also support members of our community who have been negatively affected by the pandemic. For example, your donations will support our St. Anthony Ministry which is providing the needy with sustenance and financial assistance or other parish communities deeply harmed by the pandemic.

Divine Mercy Parish needs your help!

Online giving provides our parish a stable financial foundation each week.

• If you are a current online giver, thank you!
• If you are not a reoccurring online giver, would you please consider it? It is easy to enroll. For more information, please visit https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/dmp.

• Please drop your collection envelopes in the donation box located in the center of the Narthex of Church or
• Mail them to: Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 4337 Sal Lentini Parkway, Kenner, LA 70065.

WASHINGTON– On December 14, Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued a statement on the new COVID-19 vaccines. In their statement, the bishops address the moral concerns raised by the fact that the three vaccines that appear to be ready for distribution in the United States all have some connection to cell lines that originated with tissue taken from abortions.

With regard to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, they concluded:

“In view of the gravity of the current pandemic and the lack of availability of alternative vaccines, the reasons to accept the new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are sufficiently serious to justify their use, despite their remote connection to morally compromised cell lines.

“Receiving one of the COVID-19 vaccines ought to be understood as an act of charity toward the other members of our community.  In this way, being vaccinated safely against COVID-19 should be considered an act of love of our neighbor and part of our moral responsibility for the common good.”

With regard to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the bishops found it to be “more morally compromised” and consequently concluded that this vaccine “should be avoided” if there are alternatives available. “It may turn out, however, that one does not really have a choice of vaccine, at least, not without a lengthy delay in immunization that may have serious consequences for one’s health and the health of others,” the bishop chairmen stated. “In such a case … it would be permissible to accept the AstraZeneca vaccine.”

At the same time, the bishops also warned that Catholics “must be on guard so that the new COVID-19 vaccines do not desensitize us or weaken our determination to oppose the evil of abortion itself and the subsequent use of fetal cells in research.”

The full statement from the bishop chairmen may be found here: https://www.usccb.org/moral-considerations-covid-vaccines

We would like to provide you with some important information and details regarding our Mass Schedule, the Celebration of the Sacraments, and Parish Operations during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Please note that adjustments and changes will be necessary as time unfolds and restrictions and protocols are modified.
 

1. The Weekend Mass Schedule will follow our normal Sunday pattern:
   • Saturday: 4PM Vigil Mass and 7PM Vigil Mass (in Spanish)
   • Sunday: 8:30AM, 10:30AM and 6:00PM
   • Please note that we will be under the restriction of 75% of our occupancy for all Masses and sacramental celebrations in the Church. There will be no "sign-up" to attend Mass. At the current time, there is plenty of additional seating for parishioners to attend Mass.
   • Please remember that Archbishop Aymond has dispensed the people of the Archdiocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass until further notice. If someone is vulnerable, in a high-risk category, or is not feeling well, they should not celebrate Mass in church with other people.
2. The Weekday Mass Schedule will follow our normal pattern:
   1. Monday-Tuesday: 6:30PM
   2. Wednesday-Friday: 7:30AM
   3. Those who are vulnerable, in a high-risk category, or who are desiring to avoid larger crowds, may consider attending a weekday Mass.   
3. To avoid people gathering around the confessional during Mass times and to maintain proper social distancing, the normal parish Confession Schedule is dispensed until further notice.
   1. Bilingual Confessions will be heard each Sunday from 3:00-4:00PM in the Church Confessional. Please sit in the pews outside the confessional to adhere to proper social distancing requirements.
   2. To schedule an appointment for individual Confession, please call the Parish Office at 504-466-5016, ext. 116. Arrangements will be discussed between the priest and penitent.
4. Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals may be celebrated in the Church provided that the number in attendance does not exceed 75% of the building’s occupancy. Please call the Parish Office for more information.
   1. The same protocols listed below must be observed for the celebration of all the sacraments.
   2. Please be aware that Funeral Homes may be under different requirements and/or guidelines from the Department of Health. Divine Mercy Parish must cooperate with those protocols. Please contact the Funeral Home of your choice for additional information.
5. The Church will be open according to our normal, pre-pandemic schedule. The main doors of the Church building will be open Monday - Friday from 9AM – 5PM so that individuals may access the Narthex of Church. Evening, weekend, and early morning hours will depend on the Mass schedule.   
6. The Parish Office has returned to normal business hours. The use of regularly scheduled volunteers in the Church Office will be prohibited until further notice.
7. Clergy will remain available to address all ministerial and pastoral needs. Please call the Parish Office if you need to speak with a priest or deacon.  
8. The Adoration Chapel is open (24/7). The current protocols for the chapel are listed on the website. For more information, please contact our Adoration Chapel Coordinators: Janice Vitenas (504-259-0455) or Wanda Paternostro (504-669-5477).
9. Recorded Sunday Mass will be provided each Sunday morning for those who are vulnerable, in a high-risk category, or who are desiring to avoid larger crowds. We are working with our friends at Hope and Purpose Ministries to continue to provide this much needed ministry for the foreseeable future. Mass will be available at 8:00AM each Sunday morning on both the Parish Website (www.divinemercyparish.org) and the Parish Facebook Page (@DivineMercyKenner).
10. For the most up to date information on Ministerial Activities/Organizational Meetings during the pandemic, please visit the Parish Programs and Events tab.
11.  St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School has resumed classes for 2020-2021 School Year. Parents should visit the school website regularly for the latest information.
12. Due to regulations from the Louisiana Department of Health, the CDC, and internal policies of Divine Mercy Parish, Masses, Communion Services, and visits from Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion must be approved by the pastor before they can resume at the following healthcare facilities that are located within the boundaries of Divine Mercy Parish: Nouveau Marc, Ochsner Kenner, Chateau Living Center, and Inspired Living. Once the facility has met all current healthcare requirements, the pastor will consider requests for limited visits and services on a case-by-case basis as deemed prudent with the current conditions of the pandemic.
13. Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion may resume visits to the Homebound if both the minister and those to whom they are visiting are comfortable with the appointment. Extraordinary Ministers are reminded to take appropriate protective measures. For additional information please contact Guy Favaloro.  

The following programs and/or events have been modified, postponed, cancelled, or rescheduled:​

• Baptismal Seminars have resumed. Please contact the Parish Office for additional information.
• The Missionaries of St. Therese have resumed their monthly meetings.
• St. Anthony Ministry to the Needy will be available on Wednesdays from 1:00-3:00 PM in the Parish Community Center.
• Children's Liturgy of the Word is cancelled until further notice. 
• The Legion of Mary have resumed their weekly meetings.
• The Knights of Columbus Divine Mercy Council have resumed their monthly meetings.
• The Divine Mercy Men's Club have resumed their monthly meetings.
• The Divine Mercy Sociable Seniors have canceled their monthly meetings until July 2021.
• Divine Mercy Mature Adults (DEMA) have resumed their monthly meetings.
• The Altar Auxiliary have resumed their monthly meetings.

The following protocols must be observed by those attending Mass and the celebration of all sacraments within the Church building:
 

1. I am asking that proper social distancing be observed in the Church building; of course, families may sit together. Social distancing must also be observed in the Communion procession. To reduce the risk of contagion, the number of ministers available for the distribution of communion will be greatly reduced. Social distancing must also be observed as parishioners depart Mass. Please do not gather in the Narthex of the Church before or after Mass.
2. Due to the proclamation signed by Louisiana Governor John Edwards, all parishioners 8 years of age or older must wear a mask or other face covering for the duration of Mass or any other sacramental celebration in the Church building. Please only remove your mask for the reception of Holy Communion. As set forth in the proclamation, the following count as a mask: cloth masks, scarves, bandanas, other cloth/fabric face coverings (gaiters, etc.), face shields, and medical masks. If one is unable to wear a mask because of certain health conditions, please call the Parish Office to speak to a priest or deacon.
3. I am asking and encouraging all parishioners to bring a personal bottle of hand sanitizer to maintain proper hygiene.
4. I am asking you the faithful who are sick or who are experiencing symptoms of sickness not to attend Mass. To worship God and to be nourished by Him is at the very foundation of our Christian life. However, it is a violation of the Christian charity you owe to yourself and others to go to work, school, or church when you are contagious.
5. At the current time, Collection Baskets will not be passed to decrease the risk of spreading contagions. We ask that you use the donation box located in the Narthex of Church and/or the baskets/boxes found at the exits of Church for both the first and second collection. Please speak with an usher if you need assistance. We encourage all parishioners to consider registering for recurring Online Giving to assist us in continuing our vital ministerial operations during this public health crisis. For additional information on Online Giving, please Clicking Here.
6. The Archbishop highly encourages those who are very elderly, sick, experiencing symptoms of illness, or who are at high risk of illness not to attend Mass. (A dispensation from the Sunday obligation has been granted by the Archbishop until further notice).
7. If you desire to have a hardcopy of the Mass readings and prayers to facilitate your entering into worship, I am asking that you bring your own copy of the St. Joseph Missal, the Magnificat, or other resource. Missalettes will not be available at this time to reduce the spread of contagions.
8. Projected song lyrics will not be available. Please pick up a copy of the bulletin upon entering Church. The second half of the bulletin will serve as our Worship Aid. It contains both the hymns and the prayers recited at the beginning and conclusion of Mass. We kindly ask that you take your copy of the bulletin home with you to decrease the risk of spreading contagions.
9. I am asking those attending Mass to extend a non-physical contact gesture such as a smile or nod at the Sign of Peace during Mass.
10. I am suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood of Christ via the Chalice. Please keep in mind that the Body of Christ alone contains the fullness of the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. Holy Water fonts will remain empty until further notice so as not to spread any contagions.
12. Please refrain from holding hands during the “Our Father.”
13. All clergy and lay ministers must maintain proper hygiene. Hand sanitizer will be available for clergy and liturgical ministers in both the sacristy and sanctuary.
14. I am asking and encouraging all parishioners to receive communion in your hand until further notice. Use of personal hand sanitizer before communion is strongly advised.
15. Our janitorial staff continues to sanitize bathrooms, door handles, and other frequently touched surfaces throughout the Church and parish buildings. We have contracted with both a professional cleaning service and a biohazard company to properly sanitize the Church and parish facilities in accordance with the enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols issued by the Louisiana Department of Health.    

Bilingual Reconciliation in Church Confessional will be available every Sunday from 3-4PM

While waiting for Father to hear your confession, please sit in the pews outside the confessional to maintain proper social distancing protocols of 6 feet apart.

To schedule an appointment for individual Confession, please call the Parish Office at 504-466-5016, ext. 116.