May 21, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I have been in consultation with the Archbishop along with members of the Councils from both parishes and a decision has been made to postpone the reopening of our two parishes until the weekend of June 6th & 7th. This will give us more time to prepare for the reopening without rushing things. I know that we want to get back to the public celebration of Holy Mass as soon as possible but we also want to reopen the Churches in a responsible way. Thank you for your understanding as we prepare to come together again on June 6th & 7th.
God bless you and please stay safe,Fr. Paul
May 20, 2020
May 15th, 2020
New “Family Prayer Resources during COVID-19” Webpage 
Recommended resources for family prayer during COVID-19 (in English and Spanish) are listed at www.dbqarch.org/family-prayer-resources. The resources include a new guide for “How to Prayerfully Participate in a Streamed Mass (At Home),” among many other documents and weblinks.
April 9th, 2020
To the people in the Archdiocese of Dubuque,
Every day for the past month, I have prayed my daily Mass and Rosary for the following intentions:
A quick end of the coronavirus epidemic; healing for those who are sick from it; strength and protection for health- and pastoral-care workers; solace for those who live in fear for their lives or their livelihood; eternal rest for those who have died, and consolation for those who mourn.
Please join me in those intentions. In fact, you can still join me in praying the Rosary on Thursday afternoons, and in celebrating Holy Mass on Sunday morning, and for the Holy Week Triduum too. Go to https://dbqarch.org/live-broadcasts.
This interruption of gathering for Holy Mass, sacraments, faith formation in parish and school, and other get-togethers of more than 10 people has had some benefit.
For example, we have grown in appreciation for Holy Mass and holy community, and strengthens our faith commitment to attend and participate when it is allowed again.
And not just Holy Mass, but gathering for prayer together, for learning and teaching the Gospel, and for organizing our outreach to feed the hungry, or to welcome the immigrants – all the things that make up a parish.
Speaking of outreach to the poor, if you have the means, please continue the financial support of your parish and of Catholic Charities, so that they can help others.
I know I speak for all the priests of the Archdiocese of Dubuque when I express our affection for you, and how much we look forward to gathering with you again. You miss Holy Mass, but we – and you too, I think – miss holy community.
Wishing you a blessed Easter (and all the intentions mentioned above), I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Archbishop Michael Jackels
Archbishop of Dubuque
April 4, 2020
Good Friday Prayer
Archbishop Gomez, president of the USCCB, will lead the nation in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on Good Friday, 10 April 2020, at 11 am Central Time, 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.
A livestream will be available at lacatholics.org/sacred-heart or facebook.com/usccb. The prayer, in both English and Spanish, can be found at lacatholics.org/sacred-heart.
By a special grant from the Vatican, a plenary indulgence is available for those who join Archbishop Gomez in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart on Good Friday.
A plenary Indulgence removes all of the temporal punishment due to sins, and may be applied to oneself or to the souls of the deceased.
To receive this indulgence, the faithful need to: pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart on Good Friday; be truly repentant of any sins they have committed and receive the sacrament of reconciliation (at the earliest opportunity); and pray for Pope Francis’ intentions.
Streaming information and the daily update from the Archdiocese.
March 16, 2020
Message from Archbishop Jackels, to the Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, regarding the coronavirus
After consultation and considerable prayer, it has been decided – out of an abundance of caution and with devotion to the common good – to take steps aimed at slowing down the spread of the coronavirus, to flatten the curve, as they say, so as not to overburden the healthcare system.
Therefore, beginning on 19 March 2020 and until further notice, the following provisions have been taken:
· All public celebrations of Holy Mass are cancelled. All Catholics in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are dispensed from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
· The Chrism Mass will be celebrated, but with only the liturgical ministers present. The oils will be blessed, bottled, and distributed in some way to the parishes.
· During this time, the Archbishop will live stream a celebration of Holy Mass each Sunday, as well as the Chrism Mass (and the Triduum, if the situation has not changed by then), and will lead the Rosary each week on Thursday. Visit www.DBQArch.org for more information about these live streamed events.
· The existing schedule for Confirmation is cancelled (the Archbishop’s office will contact the parishes to reschedule).
· Funerals, Weddings and Baptisms may be held, but limited to the immediate family, or at least no more than 50 people present, according to the current CDC guidelines.
· Communal penance services should not be held. The present circumstances do not constitute the grave necessity required for use of general absolution. Private, one-on-one confession can be scheduled by appointment.
· All archdiocesan-sponsored events where 50+ people are gathered are cancelled.
Pray to God for speedy deliverance from the evil of the coronavirus, for those who are sick or who live in fear of infection, for those who care for the sick and elderly, for those whose lives and livelihood are adversely affected by the spread of the virus, and that we might all remain calm and confident in God’s wisdom, power, and goodness.
Conscious of our great need, and confident of God’s loving care, with the above intentions in mind, all the faithful of the Archdiocese of Dubuque are invited to join in a day of fast, abstinence, and prayer on Wednesday, 25 March 2020; this is voluntary, not obligatory.
On that day, people ordinarily bound on Ash Wednesday to fast (only one full meal, taking less at the other meals) and abstain from meat are invited to make those same sacrifices. And as far as prayer is concerned, the Rosary is recommended as a powerful prayer, prayed alone or with others.
God, come to our assistance. Lord, make haste to help us. Mary, health of the sick, pray for us. St. Raphael, patron of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, and patron of healing, pray for us.–