Statement: Call for Day of Mourning and Lament

As we mark the death of over 100,000 people in the U.S. from COVID-19, 504 of those being people in the State of Iowa, 18 of those deaths in the County of Dubuque, and 550 deaths being people in Wisconsin with 12 deaths in Grant County, the Catholic Sisters in the Tri-State Area are joining with national faith leaders, the City of Dubuque, and the Archdiocese of Dubuque in remembering all those lost in a National Day of Mourning and Lament on Monday, June 1, 2020. Together, with the City of Dubuque we will observe the call for a National Day of Mourning and Lament with moments of silence, prayer, lowering of flags, ringing of bells, and a proclamation by the City of Dubuque calling on all to pray together for the healing of our country and a recommitment to the difficult work ahead.

We, the Catholic Sisters of the Tri-State Area, are grateful to all those who have lead us at the frontline of the COVID-19 response efforts in the surrounding region and city during this difficult time: the first responders and essential workers who have cared for us and provided essential services and goods to benefit our community, and our civic leaders who have planned and prepared a response that addresses both the health and economic challenges of these days. We recognize what this has meant for them and their families as they have aided and comforted so many.

We reach out in prayer to console all those who have lost a loved one during this time as that grief is compounded when we cannot be with one another.

On this National Day of Mourning and Lament let us come together as a community as we continue to face challenges from COVID-19.

The Dubuque City Council Proclamation:

Read Proclamation: A Day of Mourning

Signed:

From Dubuque, IA
Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey (Trappistines)
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Sisters of St. Francis
Sisters of the Presentation
Sisters of the Visitation
Archbishop Michael  Jackels and the Archdiocese of Dubuque

From Wisconsin
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, WI