Vaccinations are not required for students and adults in diocesan Catholic schools “but are strongly encouraged for those eligible to receive them,” according to the 2021-2022 Catholic school opening guidance from the Diocese of St. Cloud sent Aug. 18 to Catholic school principals and pastors.
Local Catholic schools receive COVID-19 guidance for start of school year
Vaccination is an act of love, pope says in ad campaign
When each individual makes a small act of charity, like getting the COVID-19 vaccine, every gesture added together can transform the world, Pope Francis said in a global ad campaign.
Senior Dining rooms throughout diocese welcome back diners
Catholic Charities Senior Dining reopened congregate dining rooms Aug. 2 in several cities in the Diocese of St. Cloud. Additional sites will open in September.
N.Y. priests urged not to give religious exemptions to COVID-19 vaccines
As some Catholics are seeking a religious exemption to the coronavirus vaccine mandates that are becoming more common in workplaces and even some public venues, priests in the Archdiocese of New York have been advised not to get involved in that process.
Bishop outlines COVID-related priorities, expectations for next Catholic school year
“We have so many reasons to be optimistic that students will learn and grow together in person, much as they did prior to the start of the pandemic,” he said in the Aug. 5 letter. “This will only be possible with continued diligence, trust and prayer.”
Federal judge blocks Texas order stopping transportation of migrants
A federal judge Aug. 3 temporarily blocked an order issued by the governor of Texas to halt transportation of migrants by anyone other than local or federal authorities following an incident involving a Catholic nonprofit.
CDC urges continuation of public health rule that keeps out migrants
To the dismay of immigration advocates, the Biden administration announced Aug. 2 it would continue implementing a public health rule enforced by the Trump administration, saying migrants at U.S. border crossings would be turned away to keep COVID-19 at bay.
As numbers at Mass grow, parishes weigh benefits of continuing livestream
Now that a 15-month suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass has ended, as of July 1, pastors, parish staff and parishioners are weighing the costs and benefits of continuing to livestream their daily or weekly Masses.