Governor JB Pritzker’s extension of the mandatory stay-at-home order through May 30, while difficult, is a necessary step in protecting the common good and wellbeing of all in Illinois.  Yet, we share the aspirations of many that we will soon be able to gather for worship and parish life.

As a result, Cardinal Cupich has asked our COVID-19 Task Force to begin the necessary work of creating a strategy for the eventual re-opening of our parishes, schools and agencies. They will do so in coordination with civil authorities and health care experts to determine how we might safely and prudently re-open our churches to attend to the sacramental life of our parishioners in a gradual way. We will continue to keep you informed and we ask for your patience.

In the meantime, the guidelines issued thus far, remain in place, as do the protocols for ministering and serving one another and the people of God. This includes:
· Directing people to our broadcast/livestreamed Masses and sharing with them the great outreach of our parishes, schools and agencies through our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram channels;
· Providing pastoral care to all within our parishes and school communities. Our weekly Pastoral Newsletter provides recommendations on ways to bring people together and enliven faith with one another online;
· Ministering to the sick and the dying during this difficult time by a trained cohort of priests, who will observe the guidelines put forth for Anointing of the Sick;
· Continuing distance learning for our Catholic schools’ students;
· Working remote to the extent possible, while also maintaining all essential functions in our parishes, schools and other locations;
· Investing in our own spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being and supporting each other during this stressful time; and,
· Communicating with our parishioners, school families and benefactors on the need for financial support to ensure that our parishes and schools can continue to serve them now and be there when we come through the COVID-19 crisis.

I am heartened to share that despite the challenges of the past several weeks, we, as an archdiocese, have remained focused on the mission of the Church. Across our agencies, parishes, pastoral center and schools, the work of Jesus Christ continues and has found creative expression in ways that are giving people hope when they very much need it.

As we journey from Easter to Pentecost throughout the coming weeks, we can easily relate to the experience of the Apostles. They were filled with joy as they encountered the Risen Lord, and yet they experienced the trepidation of not knowing what all this would mean for their future.

The Risen Lord was patient with them, as he appeared to them on several occasions to let them know they could trust in his promise to remain with them. They also had the consolation of knowing that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was with them.

In these days of unease, we should recall how the Lord has seen us through challenging moments in the past. We have every reason to trust that he will continue to walk with us in this crisis and, of course, we know that Mary remains ever close to us in our need. As we move into the month of May, the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop José Gomez, has invited us to participate in a national day of prayer on May 1, asking Our Lady’s protection and aid in this crisis. Cardinal Cupich and our auxiliary bishops encourage all the faithful to mark this day with prayer, seeking Our Lady's intercession during this difficult time.

Thank you for your continued prayers, for your commitment to one another and your work in the archdiocese, and for your service to the people of God in this time of suffering for so many. Stay well and safe.
Peace,
Bishop Ron Hicks