This guest post is from Mrs. Tara Lafferty, a teacher at Divine Providence Academy.

I teach 6th-8th grade at Divine Providence Academy. Most of my students live on farms, or on land with a lot of space. Their homes are also spread out from each other, dotting a radius of 30 miles or more.

Read Bishop Walkowiak's letter announcing that the Diocese of Grand Rapids has extended the cancellation of all public Masses and other liturgical and devotional services, effective immediately, through May 17, 2020.

Dear Friends in Christ,

The Kent County and City of Grand Rapids emergency management divisions have partnered with the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mel Trotter Ministries, and the Salvation Army to establish a temporary and safe shelter for women experiencing homelessness and who are presumed negative for COVID-19. The facility, located at Catholic Central High School, will allow permanent shelters in the area to reduce their daily populations so individuals experiencing homelessness are better able to socially/physically distance.

This material is from the Catholic News Service article “During plague, Catholic Church called on saints for help, healing” by Carol Zimmerman and is used with permission.

The Catholic Church has had a long tradition of calling on saints and praying for their intercession in sickness and difficult times.

This plea for saintly help for protection from disease and healing was particularly evident when the bubonic plague, or Black Death, spread throughout Europe in the 14th century killing one-third of the population.

Catholic school families with students entering kindergarten, 6th grade, or 9th grade next year now have more time to enter a tuition giveaway. The deadline extension is because of COVID-19.

The Easter season has begun much differently this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to slow the spread of the virus mean public Masses and other liturgical and devotional services in the Diocese of Grand Rapids have been canceled through April 30.

Read Bishop Walkowiak's letter announcing that the Diocese of Grand Rapids has extended the cancellation of all public Masses and other liturgical and devotional services, effective immediately, through April 30, 2020.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Catholic school education in the Diocese of Grand Rapids has shifted from classrooms to home to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Families and faculty are working together on remote learning, ensuring students from preschool through high school receive new instructional content and continue their learning.

Dear friends in Christ,

The Diocese of Grand Rapids is providing a livestream for Holy Week liturgies at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, with Bishop Walkowiak presiding. Although public Masses, other liturgies and devotional services are canceled due to COVID-19, the faithful can watch these services. In addition to the livestream, several liturgies will also be on TV.

Mass at the cathedral is already broadcast every Sunday at 10 a.m., on GRDiocese.org, Facebook, and FOX 17. Additional broadcasts have been added for the chrism Mass, Holy Thursday Mass, Good Friday liturgy, and the Easter vigil.