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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.

Among the dozens of COVID-19 vaccines currently in development, some are being produced using old cell lines from aborted children. Fortunately, there is no need to use ethically problematic cell lines to produce a COVID-19 vaccine or any vaccine. Other cell lines or processes that do not involve cells from abortions are available.

The effects of COVID-19 have been felt throughout all of our communities. Our immigrant community is no exception and is particularly vulnerable as many immigrants work in some of the hardest-hit industries, live in low-income households, or lack health insurance coverage. Yet immigrants are also critical to recovery efforts with significant numbers working in health-related industries and the US food sector.

To commemorate the fifth anniversary of his encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis has invited Catholics to participate in Laudato Si'  Week, a nine-day global campaign taking place May 16-24, 2020.

Catholics are called to actively participate in civic life, to engage in civil and respectful dialogue in the public square, and to vote with a well-formed conscience. While Catholic lay women and men are encouraged to fully exercise their rights and duties as participants in our democracy, there are specific guidelines that Church entities and representatives are urged to follow. 

As of March 20, the bishops of all seven Florida dioceses made the difficult decision to suspend publicly attended Masses for the health and safety of priests and parishioners and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Since then, a stay-at-home order issued by Governor Ron DeSantis went into effect for the entire state of Florida.

Pope Francis has called for parishes to be "islands of mercy in the midst of a sea of indifference." In response to this call, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops recently launched Walking With Moms in Need: A Year of Service. This nationwide effort envisions that parish communities increase outreach to pregnant and parenting moms in need. 

For decades, Florida has played a leading role in creating policies to empower parents in determining the best schools or programs to serve their children. The state offers a robust lineup of scholarships for students from low-income families or with special education needs. These options offer parents a lifeline of hope and opportunity for their schoolchildren despite facing income or job loss due to the current crisis.

As the COVID-19 pandemic ramps up, the State of Florida has been providing Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami with meals ready to eat (MREs), in order to augment food distribution programs already in place. The state's Emergency Management Operations Center has released MREs normally allocated for natural disasters to be given to families in need at the behest of the emergency management specialist of the Florida Catholic Conference.

The present COVID-19 pandemic has significantly unsettled people's lives. Many families are isolated at home in order to promote public health. Schools have closed their doors, leaving teachers, parents, and students struggling to adjust to distance learning.

Coach Larissa Maloney at Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach has received worldwide attention through her online physical education instruction in response to the distance learning due to the coronavirus. Maloney, head volleyball coach and a PE instructor, started a YouTube Channel, Active Kids 2.0, with the goal of live streaming 30-minute workouts every day in order to keep her students and players active. Her workouts have been a tremendous hit and are reaching and impacting people around the world.

While regularly scheduled Masses and parish gatherings are suspended in response to the coronavirus, Florida parishes and dioceses will be live-streaming Holy Week services, including Easter Masses.

Florida's Catholic health ministries are at the forefront of meeting the corporal and spiritual needs of their communities. Medical personnel and staff bravely put themselves at risk simply by showing up for work every day to treat people who are ill and infirm.

In mid-March, Catholics schools across Florida followed the lead of their local public school districts in the decision to close campuses and move to online learning in order to protect their school communities and limit the spread of the coronavirus. On Tuesday, March 31, Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran called for all school districts to extend campus closures through May 1.

Following the Monroe County School District calendar, faculty at The Basilica School of Saint Mary Star of the Sea in Key West were able to mobilize during spring break before launching virtual instruction on Monday, March 23. "Fortunately, our students have not missed a single day of instruction, said Principal Robert Wright. "While teachers and parents are climbing the learning curve, our students have adapted well. I imagine that everyone will settle in and find a routine in this second week of distance learning."

A line of people wrapped around most of the Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCCF) building on the morning of March 25. The rush to the Semoran Mission Market came after Orange County's mayor announced an executive stay-at-home order that was set to begin at 11 p.m., Thursday, March 26.