The Peru Gazette

A message from Bishop Terry R. LaValley

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

In light of more recent developments concerning the Coronavirus and its effect on the most vulnerable of our faith family, particularly our elderly, all public Masses in the Diocese of Ogdensburg beginning Wednesday, March 18 are suspended until further notice. We will keep you informed as to when they will resume. During this time period, all the faithful are dispensed from their Sunday obligation to participate at Mass.

This difficult decision for me to ask people not to gather for the Holy Eucharist is made in consideration of strong recommendations from public health officials and after consultation with my vicars and some Deans. Care and concern for everyone’s health (spiritual, emotional and physical), especially elderly persons, those with underlying health issues, our clergy and liturgical ministers necessitates this extraordinary measure.

Until public Masses are reinstated, priests are encouraged to offer Mass in private. As Catholics, caring for our spiritual and sacramental lives is most important. Therefore, our priests will continue to be available for sacramental emergencies while maintaining the necessary public health precautions.

At the pastor’s discretion, churches may remain open for private prayer. Public devotions such as the Stations of the Cross should be suspended. However, the faithful are encouraged to make those devotions in private. If a church is open, pastors will ensure that there is a thorough daily cleaning of all surfaces and that social distancing (at least six feet) is maintained.

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals raise particular concerns. These celebrations may proceed but attendance should be limited to immediate family and all public health precautions must be observed. Of course, in the case of emergency, Baptism and the Anointing of the Sick should be conferred. The individual reception of the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) may continue to be offered. We are not in a situation that requires general absolution.

Although public Masses are cancelled, your parish will continue to face its financial obligations to employees and others. Please help your parish out by mailing your offering or by online contributions. Your pastor will strive to meet payroll and other essential parish bills during this time. Your continued support of your parish is urgently needed and gratefully received at this difficult time. At the pastor’s discretion, parish offices may remain open with essential staff. Pastors will ensure regular thorough cleaning of the office space and appropriate social distancing for the benefit of all. For any questions, please contact your pastor.
We continue to pray for our diocesan family. We pray for healing for those already afflicted with the virus. May our Blessed Mother intercede with her Son, for those who are hurting, the vulnerable and the fearful. May our response to this crisis, be strengthened through prayer and sacrifice as our Lenten journey continues. I’m so grateful for your prayerful support.

Faithfully yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley
Bishop of Ogdensburg

From the Office of Dr. Mark Davey, District Superintendent of Champlain Valley Educational Services:

Champlain Valley Educational Services BOCES and its 16 component school districts unanimously decided to close schools immediately until at least April 19, 2020. The districts, in collaboration with the county Health Departments, will remain in regular communication to assess the situation.

These are uncertain times, and the challenges which we collectively face are new and ever-changing. At the onset of this pandemic, the guidance for public schools in New York State directed that school closure would be decreed by either local public health officials, the Commissioner of Education, or the Governor, following any affirmative COVID-19 test results. More recently however, in an effort to proactively limit the spread of this virus, school districts and BOCES regions have begun announcing preemptive closures. CVES BOCES and its 16 school superintendents met with local public health officials this morning and decided unanimously to close all schools in the Champlain Valley Educational Services BOCES region effective immediately. The directors from both county health departments strongly recommended this measure.

An extension of this closure is certainly possible, and discussion with local public health officials will continue. Any change in duration of this closure will be communicated to you as soon as possible. This closure will encompass the April school recess.

This action has not been taken lightly. It is fully understood that this closure will create hardships for families, and each district will continue to support our community as best as possible throughout this situation. There are no confirmed cases in either Clinton or Essex Counties at this time. Nonetheless, in an effort to best protect our students and our neighbors, we believe that these measures, though not convenient, are necessary.

Each School Superintendent will share information with their parents, guardians, and students regarding the possible delivery of instruction throughout this extended closure. Each school district has a plan in-place for the ongoing delivery of various non-instructional services, such as student nutrition, mental health supports, etc. These plans will vary between districts, and you can also expect notification on these details in the coming days. Naturally, all school extracurricular activities (athletics, clubs, events, etc.) are cancelled or postponed during this closure.

Dr. Mark Davey, CVES District Superintendent said, “We are appreciative of both Clinton and Essex county Health Departments working closely with CVES BOCES and the superintendents of our component school districts on this action. CVES and our 16 school districts will be working to provide you with further information as it becomes available. We would also like to recognize the role that the parents and guardians of all area students will assume in the coming days in partnering with your school district in continuing the education of our students.”

As we navigate this unprecedented event, certain communication channels will surely prove more effective than others. We encourage the use of email as much as possible to contact school district personnel at this time.