May 12, 2020 — Annapolis, MD
CATHOLIC HEALTH CARE AND
SAFETY
Health care ministry during COVID-19
With a hospital and several assisted living, rehabilitation and
nursing home facilities nearby, health care ministry is an important
outreach at St. Peter Parish in Olney.
“We may have as many as 75 to 100 people at a time who have an
extraordinary health care need, for whom we provide accompaniment and
sacraments,” said Fr. Tom Kalita, pastor at St. Peter’s. “Often, they
are feeling lonely and bereft, which affects their ability to
heal.”
The restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic have been
difficult for carrying out this ministry. Parish volunteers, priests,
and deacons who once brought the Eucharist weekly, and prayed and
visited with patients and residents have not been able to go into
local medical care facilities and retirement residences for the past
two months. The parish continues to pray for those who are ill or
elderly, but in-person visits are on hold.
Fr. Kalita has been allowed one visit, to minister to a woman
nearing death. He had to wear proper protective gear and follow strict
protocols, which included using a Q-tip dipped in the sacred oil to
anoint her.
“It took as long to get suited up as the time I was there praying.
I think of the people who need to put on and take off the protective
gear. It is hard,” Fr. Kalita noted.
Another day, a call came into the parish from the hospital across
the street. Two Catholic patients were nearing death. The hospital was
closed to visitors, but could something be done? Armed with the
patients’ room numbers, Fr. Kalita stood in front of the hospital and,
one-by-one, turned in the direction of each of the rooms, gave
conditional absolution, and said the prayers for the dying.
Across Maryland, clergy and volunteers are finding new ways to be
present for those who are medically fragile and elderly, and to
continue to do what they can to serve.
As Father Mike Tietjen, pastor of Immaculate Conception in
Mechanicsville, recently told the Catholic Standard about his own ministry with
COVID patients, “We are going in there because Jesus asked us to do
this. We are being prudent, we are being smart, but we are doing what
we always have done … We are coping with this situation. The Church
has coped with pandemics before. It's the first time for us, but not
for the Church.” READ MORE HERE
Catholic Hospitals in Maryland
Ethics of Vaccines
Several U.S. bishops, who chair committees for the United
States Conference of Catholic Bishops, recently urged the FDA to to
ensure that vaccines for COVID-19 are developed ethically and are free
from any connection to abortion. READ
THE LETTER HERE
Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Prevention
Advocates and lawmakers in Maryland have expressed concern over a
rise
in domestic violence and child abuse incidents during
stay-in-place orders. If you are being abused or if you suspect
someone is being abused, please get help now.
Mental Health Services
- Maryland Department of Health Mental Health crisis helpline: 211,
press 1, or text 898-211
- A short video
on managing anxiety during coronavirus (Saint Luke Institute)
PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE JUNE
2
See the MCC
Candidate Survey Results Before Voting
Maryland’s Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 2 and this year,
the election is being conducted via mail. Catholics are encouraged to
participate in political processes, to work for the common good, and
to be a voice for our faith.
The Maryland Catholic Conference surveyed the candidates running
for Maryland’s eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Please review their responses before you vote. (The Conference does
not endorse candidates or political parties.)
Voters can return ballots by mail or drop off ballots at limited
locations between May 21 and June 2. The candidate survey responses
and other information is on our Election 2020 page. READ
MORE HERE.
APPLY FOR A BOOST SCHOLARSHIP
IN MAY
The State of Maryland’s Broadening Options and Opportunities Today
(BOOST) Scholarship Program provides $7.5 million in tuition
assistance to income-eligible Maryland families who choose a Catholic
or other non-public school for their children. Applications for this
fall must be submitted by June 1, 2020 and you must have filed your
taxes for 2019 to apply. LEARN
MORE AND APPLY 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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