In a May 20 letter to Governor Ron DeSantis, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, asked the governor to consider the needs of students in Catholic schools as he decides how to use emergency funding awarded to state governors' offices to meet the needs of students and schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress on March 27.In a May 20 letter to Governor Ron DeSantis, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, asked the governor to consider the needs of students in Catholic schools as he decides how to use emergency funding awarded to state governors' offices to meet the needs of students and schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress on March 27.In a May 20 letter to Governor Ron DeSantis, Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, asked the governor to consider the needs of students in Catholic schools as he decides how to use emergency funding awarded to state governors' offices to meet the needs of students and schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding was authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress on March 27.

Scholarships are available to assist with Catholic school tuition for families facing financial difficulties and whose financial situations may have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families may qualify for a Step Up for Students scholarship to send their child to a K-12 Catholic school in Florida. For example, a family of four that makes less than $78,600 annually may qualify. Two income-based scholarships are available: the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Family Empowerment Scholarship. Both scholarships give students an option to find the best schools to meet their K-12 learning needs. For more information, see a video message from Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito of the Diocese of Palm Beach and FCCB education moderator and visit the website of Step Up For Students.

In March, the U.S. Census Bureau mailed official notices to every household requesting participation in the 2020 Census. With an online option for the first time, as well as mail and phone options, the survey has never been easier. It only takes a few minutes to complete.

This month, Bishop Felipe Estévez of St. Augustine released a pastoral letter to the faithful of his diocese. The 20-page document is entitled, Standing Up for the Dignity of all Human Life: A Pastoral Letter on Capital Punishment in Florida, and it addresses the teachings of the Church about the intrinsic value and God-given dignity of every human life from conception until natural death.

Confronted with the challenges of the coronavirus, the bishops of Florida have been meeting weekly via video conference to discuss how to continue the mission of the Church while also protecting the health and well-being of the faithful and the broader community. As of March 20, each of Florida's bishops had made the difficult decision to suspend publicly-attended Masses and parish gatherings.