April 7, 2020 — Annapolis, MD
FEDERAL AND STATE RESOURCES FOR
COVID-19 RELIEF
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to deeply impact families,
schools, and businesses throughout the world, including here in
Maryland, federal and state leaders have taken action to try to ease
the impact.
“The Federal CARES Act and Families First Coronavirus Act, as well
as increased assistance made available by the State of Maryland, could
offer significant benefits for families, schools, and businesses,”
said Jenny Kraska, executive director of the Maryland Catholic
Conference.
“We are continuing to assess and monitor the legislation and
assistance programs and do all that we can to ensure nonprofits and
schools, including our Catholic programs, are able to access available
funds,” she added.
READ MORE about how these resources will
impact you.
NATIONAL GOOD FRIDAY PRAYER
Catholics across the United States are invited to pray together on
Good Friday.
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez, president of the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, will lead us as a nation in
praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart to seek healing for all
who are unwell, wisdom for those whose work is halting the spread of
coronavirus, and strength for all God’s children. Please join in on
Good Friday, April 10, 2020, 12 noon (eastern
time)
The Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See has given permission for
a plenary indulgence for those who join Archbishop
Gomez in this prayer.
HOLY WEEK ONLINE
While we will not be able to gather in churches this Holy Week, we
can join together virtually through prayer, online liturgies with our
bishops and in our parishes, and by giving back to help our parishes
and neighbors in need. These links will help you plan your Holy
Week:
CATHOLIC CHARITIES VIRTUAL FOOD
DRIVE
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington is holding a Holy Week Virtual Food Drive this week to
replenish the shelves at SHARE, the Southern Maryland Food Bank, and
other food pantries.
With more people out of work and everyone social distancing, parish
food pantries, Catholic Charities and other nonprofits are feeling the
pressure. If you are able to help, check with your parish or Catholic
Charities, including Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of
Baltimore, Diocese of Wilmington or Archdiocese of
Washington.
In addition, the Knights of Columbus today announced a
multi-million-dollar food drive and delivery operation to support food
banks in 20 cities, including initial $50,000 donations to food banks
in Baltimore and Washington, DC and is encouraging its members to
volunteer at food banks and help deliver food to those in need.
CATHOLIC MINISTRIES ON HEALTH
CARE FRONT LINES
Catholic health care providers across Maryland are on the front
lines of responding to medical needs related to COVID-19 through
testing, care and, at Mercy Medical Center, fast-tracking the construction of a 32-bed acute care unit that will
open this summer.
Holy Cross Health (Montgomery County) has an online wish list of
needs, such as personal protective equipment, including masks (that
meet certain criteria) and supplies. Learn more here.
Catholic schools are doing their part to keep these front-line
workers safe, with families and local organizations using the schools’
3-D printers to make face shields for hospital and
other health care use. St. Mary’s High School in Annapolis also
partnered with a local company to produce respirators and masks.
Women religious, such as the Little Sisters of the Poor and Sisters
Servants of Mary Immaculate, and lay staff at Catholic nursing homes
and senior residences across Maryland also are implementing safety
measures to protect residents, many of whom are low income or
medically fragile. Please keep them and their needs in prayer.
Visit our COVID-19
page for updated Church and government resources on prayer, giving,
support, and assistance, and a video to make your own mask with a
cloth and rubber bands.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION
MONTH
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. We want to thank the nearly
70,000 people who have completed education and background checks to
work with minors in parishes, schools and ministries sponsored by the
three (arch)dioceses in Maryland. Learn more about what we do to
protect children here and watch Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory’s Mass
here.
GET INVOLVED
JOIN THE CATHOLIC ADVOCACY NETWORK
Learn more about the Catholic Advocacy Network and how you can take
action on important issues in Maryland: CLICK HERE.
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
The Maryland Catholic Conference is still looking for volunteers to
serve as Parish Legislative Ambassadors for some parishes. If you are
passionate about the work we do and want to help us speak up on
important issues in Maryland, please sign up to volunteer!
To sign-up to volunteer CLICK HERE.
STAY CONNECTED WITH US!
  
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