The uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak and its impact weights heavily on us all. We work and live in a closely-knit community and will remain supportive of one another while doing all we can to keep our parishioners and staff safe during these unsettling times. Our responsibility to our parish and to the greater community is to limit the spread of infection and to reduce the strain on our health care system.

I know that we are all stressed and frightened to varying degrees. I encourage all of you to keep in touch! We are, after all, a FAMILY. Check on your friends and neighbors, especially the elderly. I am hearing from so many of our elderly parishioners who are frightened to even go out. It would be very easy for us to get wrapped up in dealing with our own issues and forget that there are others who may have no one to check on them. Call them. Ask them if they have everything they need. If you do find someone in need, please, let us know. We will try to find a solution.

Above all, please, pray…for our community, our country, and our world. We are facing a different sort of crisis that we are used to dealing with. We can ride out a storm with the best of them, so I know we will conquer this one, as well. Again, keep in touch and God Bless you!

Fr. Paddy

Bishop Kihneman’s Announcement – 3/17/2020

All daily and Sunday public Masses in the Diocese are cancelled.
Churches will remain open with limited hours.
All Catholics are dispensed from the obligation of attending Mass.
Catholics are encourage to view the livestream mass services.
Masses will resume with approval from state & local authories.

Livestream Mass Schedule

St. Louis Cathedral New Orleans
Mon – Fri | 12:05 pm |Livestream mass | thedailymass.com

Parishioners

The following communications have been made available to our parishioners and visitors.

March 18, 2020 | Diocese of Biloxi posts livestream church schedule
March 17, 2020 | Father Paddy issues new guidelines for MHT
March 17, 2020 | Diocese of Biloxi issues new directives for COVID-19
March 14, 2020 | Father Paddy issues safety precautions for MHT

Notices from Centers for Disease Control

From the White House: 15 DAYS TO SLOW THE SPREAD. During the next 15 days (March 16-31, 2020), individuals and organizations should cancel events that consists of 10 people or more throughout the U.S. Read the White House notice.

Resources

How to Protect Yourself

Know How it Spreads

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Take steps to protect yourself

Clean your hands often

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others

Stay home if you’re sick

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Throw used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect

Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:

Diluting your household bleach.
To make a bleach solution, mix:
- 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
  OR
- 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of waterFollow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
Alcohol solutions.
Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.

Most Holy Trinity Response to Coronavirus