Dear St. Martin's Families, This afternoon, during Governor Hogan's press conference, it was declared that all Maryland schools will be closed from Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27, at a minimum. I expect that this evening, Montgomery County Public Schools will make the same announcement, which means that St. Martin's School will be closed through Friday, March 27. We have our contingency plans in place that we will be initiating during our work as a faculty tomorrow, and we will be communicating over the next couple of days about accessing school work for the students moving forward. I understand how disruptive this closure is, but for the health and safety of our students, families, and the broader community, this has been deemed the necessary action. I implore each of you to take this virus seriously and take the appropriate precautions recommended. When we have a more clear understanding of what the next two weeks will look like, we will communicate that to everyone. Please stay safe and vigilant. God Bless,
Stephen C. Lamont Principal
A Letter from St. Martin’s Administrator Fr. David Wells and Reverend Daniel B. Carson Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia of the Archdiocese of Washington
Regarding School & Church Closures Due to
the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Dear all, As the news about coronavirus (COVID-19) reverberates throughout the world, our thoughts are with those impacted both globally and in the U.S., as well as in our local community. The health and safety of our parishioners is our top priority.
Please see below the message from the Archdiocese regarding School closings and Mass cancellations. Please note the following: All Masses in the Archdiocese of Washington starting Saturday, March 14th will not be celebrated until further notice.
All gatherings/groups/meetings/ministries will be canceled starting Saturday, March 14th
The Lenten Parish Mission has been canceled. For more information and updates please visit adw.org/coronavirus. Please watch the St. Martin Facebook and website for updates.
www.stmartinsweb.org Please spread the word to all those affected. Please continue to pray and please know you are all in our prayers as well. Dear Brother Priest, In the interest of public health and safety, local governments have issued restrictions on certain activities in response to the coronavirus. Most recently this afternoon, Governor Hogan announced that all public schools in the State of Maryland will be closed from March 16 through March 27. As a result of this order, Archbishop Gregory has indicated that all Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Washington will be closed during this same time frame of March 16 through March 27. Mr. William Ryan, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, will be forwarding additional information on this school closure to principals, pastors with schools and parents later this evening. Additionally, the State of Maryland has ordered that no public gatherings in excess of 250 people may be held until further notice. As a result of this order, Archbishop Gregory has indicated Masses open to the public, in ALL archdiocesan parishes, missions, and campus ministries will not be celebrated starting this Saturday, March 14th until further notice. Weddings and funerals may proceed but attendance should be limited to immediate family. Archbishop Gregory has also issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to all parishioners of the Archdiocese of Washington. We will issue an Emergency Preparedness document with the latest guidance and information to you on Friday, March 13. It will include guidance on how to proceed in view of the impact of the current situation on parish and archdiocese day-to-day operations. We realize this is a significant disruption to our carrying out the mission of the Church. We hope these changes are for a very limited period of time. Let us remember to keep each other -- and all those impacted – close in prayer during these challenging moments. With prayers and gratitude for your priestly ministry, I am
Reverend Daniel B. Carson Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia
Queridos todos, A medida que las noticias sobre el coronavirus (COVID-19) resuenan en todo el mundo, nuestros pensamientos están con los afectados tanto a nivel mundial como en los USA, así como en nuestra comunidad local, la salud y seguridad de nuestros feligreses es nuestra principal prioridad. Vea a continuación el mensaje de la Arquidiócesis con respecto al cierre de escuelas y cancelaciones masivas. Tenga en cuenta lo siguiente: Todas las misas en la Arquidiócesis de Washington a partir del sábado 14 de marzo no se celebrarán hasta nuevo aviso. Todas las reuniones / grupos / reuniones / ministerios se cancelarán a partir del sábado 14 de marzo.
La Misión Parroquial Cuaresmal ha sido cancelada. Para obtener más información y actualizaciones, visite adw.org/coronavirus Corra la voz a sus ministerios y a todos los afectados. Continúe orando y tenga en cuenta que todos ustedes también están en nuestras oraciones.
A Letter from Secretary of Catholic Education William Ryan
March 12, 2020
Dear Parents and Guardians,
The Catholic Schools Office continues their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students. I would like to provide an important update about coronavirus (COVID-19).
Governor Larry Hogan and Dr. Karen Salmon, state superintendent of Schools, announced the closure of all Maryland public schools from Monday, March 16 through March 27, 2020. Therefore, all archdiocesan Catholic schools and early learning centers (ELC) in Maryland, also will be closed, effectively March 16, 2020 through March 27, 2020. Because this continues to be a fluid situation, please continue to listen to local news reports and obtain information from your school principal or ELC director.
Assignments will be provided by the school to continue student learning. Please check the school’s website or other communications for further details.
Thank you for your continued support to maintain a safe and healthy environment for our students and staff.
Sincerely in Christ,
William H. Ryan, III
Secretary for Catholic Schools
Una carta del Secretario de Educación Católica William Ryan
doce de Marzo del 2020
Estimados Padres y Guardianes,
La Oficina de Escuelas Católicas continúa su compromiso de garantizar la seguridad y el bienestar de nuestros estudiantes. Me gustaría proporcionar una actualización importante sobre coronavirus (COVID-19).
Bajo la dirección del gobernador Larry Hogan, la Dra. Karen Salmon, Superintendente Estatal de Escuelas, anunció el cierre de todas las escuelas desde el lunes 16 de marzo hasta el 27 de marzo. Todas las escuelas católicas arquidiocesanas y centros de aprendizaje temprano en Maryland también estarán cierrando efectivamente el 16 de marzo. Debido a que esto sigue siendo una situación fluida, por favor manténgase publicado en los informes de noticias locales.
Las asignaciones serán proporcionadas por la escuela para continuar el aprendizaje de los estudiantes. Por favor, consulte el sitio web de la escuela u otras comunicaciones para obtener más detalles.
Gracias por su continuo apoyo para mantener un ambiente seguro y saludable para nuestros estudiantes y personal.
Sinceramente en Cristo,
William H. Ryan, III
Secretario de Escuelas Católicas
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