Diocese of Jefferson City turns to technology, youth in response to COVID-19

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, of the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, believes there is hope for the future after the pope's summit on child sex abuse.
Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, of the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, believes there is hope for the future after the pope's summit on child sex abuse.

The latest recommendations concerning the novel coronavirus from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ask that gatherings are limited to 10 people to help control the spread of the disease.

That's a challenge for large churches like some of those in the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City. The diocese on Tuesday canceled all its Masses beginning Wednesday.

The suspension of Masses is to continue until at least April 3.

"This is in keeping with the federal directives and other public entities in our area," said Bishop W. Shawn McKnight. "We offer this decision as part of our effort to help stem the spread of coronavirus."

Catholics wishing to participate in Mass may check the diocese website (diojeffcity.org/public-health) to find what's available online.

Some small area churches have taken to using FaceTime, YouTube, Skype or other online resources to provide services.

Catholics are encouraged to check with their local parishes regarding online Masses, said Helen Osman, Jefferson City Diocese director of communications.

"There are several parishes which are ramping up to have online Masses available to people," Osman said. "That's the ideal - that people could find themselves still in communion with their parish."

The online services need not be "polished or professional," McKnight said.

If people set up little shrines in their homes, they may light candles as they watch the Mass and possibly create a little church in their homes.

Holy Week is coming up in a few short weeks, McKnight said.

"I'm going to livestream," he said. "Hopefully have it available for people to watch when they can on the internet."

Regardless of whether they are broadcasting, the bishop is encouraging his priests to keep churches open so people may come in for the sacrament of Confession or other reasons. And he wants his priests to continue their regular schedule of Masses, just not hold them open to the public.

Coronaviruses make up a large family of viruses. Some cause illnesses in people, while others infect only animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses have emerged to infect people and can spread between people. This is suspected to have happened for the virus that causes COVID-19. The current virus was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, according to the CDC. Early infections were widely linked to live animal markets, but the virus is now spreading from person to person.

Data indicate COVID-19 poses a higher risk of death for older patients and for those with compromised immune systems. Younger people are generally not affected as severely unless they have an underlying health issue.

The situation around the world is an opportunity for the church to impress on youth the importance of being involved in their communities, McKnight said.

Youth are going to be needed to look in on those who have been quarantined, he continued. He encourages people to stay in contact with elderly folks who for their own safety are staying in their homes.

"This kind of experience at church - that is very hands-on and charity-oriented - could be the real antidote to the negative effect of this pandemic in terms of separating and isolating people," McKnight said. "We need to maintain connections. Young people can be running errands for old people, leaving things on their doorsteps, checking in on them."

The diocese has set up a site where people can volunteer to help their neighbors.

The diocese's mobilization of volunteers includes a requirement that all volunteers must follow local, state and federal public health officials' guidelines and directives. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention provides the most comprehensive guidelines at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

In addition to engaging people who are members of parishes, the bishop is asking parishes to survey other people living within their areas to see what services they need.

This article was edited at 2:15 p.m. March 18, 2020, to add information about the CDC's guidelines.