The Catholic Commentator

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University Received $5,000 Entergy Grant

Baton Rouge, LA -FranU received an emergency aid grant of $5,000 for 48 students who graduated early from both the respiratory therapy and the nursing programs. Students will be able to use this aid as a substitute for lost wages to cover the immediate cost of living expenses or expenses related to entering professional practice while continuing to pursue their degrees. The funding will provide much-needed relief for students who will fill essential roles in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vice President of Business and Economic Development for Entergy Louisiana Eduardo "Ed" Jimenez said, "We truly believe that we are only as strong as our communities. So we took a look at what was needed the most during these difficult times and knew that helping the health care industry was critical. As a company that responds when major disaster strikes, we understand the value and importance of having as many frontline employees as possible. This contribution is our way of providing support to health care students to accelerate their graduation and get them in the frontlines to assist with the COVID-19 health crisis."

FranU received calls from area hospitals and health systems desperate for respiratory therapists (RRTs) and nurses, positions short-staffed before the onslaught of COVID-19 in Louisiana, and critical in the fight against the virus.

FranU responded to the call for help by graduating 11 respiratory therapy and 37 nursing students early on April 27. However, many students lost their part-time jobs because of recent layoffs, upon which they rely on paying tuition and affording daily needs. In addition to covering the everyday cost of living expenses, the early graduates were also required to pay for expenses related to entering professional practice: exam prep courses, exam fees, licensing fees, new uniforms and equipment.

The expectation is that 100 percent of these graduates will be employed within the next few months, serving the community's most urgent needs related to this pandemic.

Photos by Rachel Street

A Vatican staff member in protective gear sanitizes the holy water font inside St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican May 15, 2020, ahead of the resumption of Masses during the COVID-19 pandemic. (CNS photo/Yara Nardi, Reuters)

BISHOP'S ANNOUNCEMENT

The Diocese of Baton Rouge announced today that Catholic churches may re-open for congregational worship as early as this weekend, starting with Vigil Masses Saturday afternoon, if they can conform to strict directives regarding occupancy, social distancing and sanitary conditions.

The diocese said it expects all its parishes to celebrate public Masses the weekend of May 23/24.

Baton Rouge Bishop Michael G. Duca announced the action in a letter to a quarter million Catholics who live in the diocese's 12 civil parishes. The letter is being distributed by church parishes to their faithful on their websites and on other social media platforms.

The bishop's action comes after Governor Edwards relaxed restrictions on certain types of public gatherings, effective May 15.

The bishop's letter says that the Sunday Mass obligation will continue to be dispensed indefinitely, and it urges those who are vulnerable or recovering from the coronavirus to stay home and prayerfully watch Masses that will continue to be live-streamed. It also outlines new guidelines for the communal celebration of Mass, the distribution of Holy Communion and reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

The bishop's earlier directives concerning funerals, marriages, baptisms, the anointing the sick and taking Holy Communion to the homebound will remain in effect for the time being.

"Gathering together under these new guidelines is a big undertaking by your pastor and parish staff," the bishop said. "Expect that each parish will begin public Masses when prepared and will adopt different options that reflect the size of the parish, number of priests, available resources, readiness and parishioner support," he added.

"I invite you not to compare what is going on in another parish with your parish’s situation. Be patient with your pastor and accept that it will take a few weeks to accommodate this new reality," the bishop said.

The text of Bishop Duca's letter to the faithful is attached. Parishioners are urged to be in touch with their parish offices for information on when and how their churches will return to congregational worship.

For additional information please contact:

Deacon Dan Borne'
Communications Secretary
Diocese of Baton Rouge
[email protected]
225-229-9500

Kelly Alexander
Media Liaison
Diocese of Baton Rouge
[email protected]
225-936-7373