An update from Fr. Dagit regarding COVID precautions
6 August 2021
 

The pandemic has sadly not ended, either in our country or throughout the world. The current threat is the spread of the delta variant. The CDC recommends that in those areas of the country where the infection rate is rated high or substantial, even those vaccinated should wear a mask indoors when in crowds of people. Looking at an Iowa map showing infection rates, most of the counties in the Archdiocese of Dubuque are presently rated high or substantial. That is certainly the case in the counties where we are located here in the Story-Marshall Cluster. We need to continue to pray for an end to this pandemic. And unless there is a medical or very serious reason not to do so, we need to get vaccinated. In order to keep our body, which God created, as healthy as can be, we need to get vaccinated. Out of love for neighbor and for the common good we must do what we can to stop the spread of COVID-19. Getting vaccinated is one important way to do this. And I strongly encourage you to mask up for Mass in church beginning this weekend. Hopefully this will help in mitigating the spread of the virus in our area. If not, we may have to return to those other mitigation efforts at Mass that we happily laid aside a couple of months ago, such as, physical distance seating, no singing, no books in pews, etc. I hope that will not be needed and I know you hope the same. Let us do our part to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by wearing a mask when at weekend Masses. Like when it comes to vaccinations, there are those who cannot wear a mask due to medical/serious reasons. But for most of us, that is not the case. So I strongly encourage you to wear a mask at Mass if possible. Thank you for your cooperation.
 
Father Rick Dagit