Religious Articles Brabander: official coronavirus statement

Religious Articles Brabander: official statement on coronavirus

Concern about the increase in deaths and those infected by coronavirus (2019-nCoV) both in Spain and in the rest of Europe has led us to publish this statement.

As can be read on the WHO (World Health Organization) website, COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the coronavirus that was unknown until December 2019. Its origin is in the town of Wuhan (China) .

In a short time, the coronavirus has gone from being a complete unknown to being present in all conversations. Its terrible impact on the Chinese and Italian population has put all the countries of the world on alert.

According to most of the data that is being published, Spain is one of the areas with the highest growth in the number of people affected. With each passing day the number increases rapidly. For all that has been said, from Religious Articles Brabander we want to express the following:

1. It is important to follow the recommendations and guidelines of central and local governments, health authorities and other official bodies regarding the precautions that must be taken. WHO coronavirus recommendations .
2. Combating the spread of the coronavirus is a job that involves all social classes: administration, companies, individuals, etc... Everyone is important and everyone must contribute their grain of sand.
3. At Religious Articles Brabander we will continue to carry out our work as long as it does not pose any risk to the members of our organization and the authorities allow us to do so.
4. If you wish to contact us to make an inquiry, use any of these means of contact . As much as possible, avoid visiting our physical store . It gives the entire Brabander team great satisfaction to receive visits from friends and clients in our store but, given the circumstances, we understand that avoiding contact in person is the best thing for you and for us.
5. If you wish to buy any of our religious products, you can do so through our online store or use the aforementioned contact methods. Again we ask that you avoid visiting our physical store.
6. As recommended by the health authorities, the cash on delivery payment is temporarily cancelled.
7. Making a purchase online and receiving the package at home is much safer than going to our store. The WHO (World Health Organization) speaks specifically about the assumption of receiving packages that come from areas with reported cases of coronavirus (it is important to clarify that Lugo is not considered an area with COVID-19 cases) :

Is it safe to receive a package from an area where cases of COVID-19 have been reported?

Yes. The probability of an infected person contaminating commercial items is low, and the risk of contracting the virus that causes COVID-19 from contact with a package that has been handled, transported, and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is also low.

We are faced with an extraordinary situation that requires the commitment of all to be overcome. The commitment of Religious Articles Brabander is to develop its work trying to maintain the quality standards that characterize us as long as possible, adapting to the moment in which we live, always putting your safety first and that of all the people who make up this organization.

Some ideas to cope with confinement

All our plans for the celebration of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ have been cut short by the appearance of the coronavirus.

This bad "bug" has changed all the projects of Brotherhoods and Brotherhoods, faithful and lovers of Holy Week . But not only Easter has been affected, the coronavirus has forced the entire society to make a drastic turn. It is everyone's problem and we must face it united, without fissures.

Government, health and ecclesiastical authorities have taken a series of measures to stop the exponential expansion of the coronavirus. These important restrictions have led to the suspension of the celebration of Holy Week, the temporary dispensation of the Sunday obligation, the suppression or conditioned celebration of liturgical celebrations, and a long list of changes in ecclesiastical and social rituals.

There are a large number of indications that must be taken into account but, basically, there are five basic premises:

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water or with a hydro-alcoholic solution.
• Cover your cough with a disposable tissue or in the crook of your elbow.
• Avoid touching your nose, eyes or mouth with your hands.
• Avoid crowded places where it is not easy to maintain the interpersonal safety distance of one or one and a half meters.
• Leave home the bare minimum (shopping, medical consultations, work,...).

In Religious Articles Brabander we understand that following the instructions indicated by the authorities is essential to continue normally developing our activity at the service of the Catholic Church. For this reason we have developed security protocols that allow us to deliver our purchases with the maximum guarantees for our workers and customers.

In addition, we have decided to make a list of tips that may help you better cope with these times in which we live.

1. Never lose faith or hope . "Hope will not be disappointed, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit."
2. The civil and ecclesiastical authorities are trying to do what is best for everyone. For this reason it is very important to be aware of all the news that arises uninterruptedly. In Spain you can visit the website of the Spanish Episcopal Conference , Ministry of Health or follow their social networks.
3. Fake news related to the virus is very common and creates great confusion in society. Avoid sharing information on social networks that does not come from official sources or proven authority.
4. The time you spend at home schedule a time. Set tasks for yourself and try to accomplish them. It is a good time to make those small repairs and changes that you have been putting off for so long.
5. Take advantage of the fact that you cannot go out to reflect on the things that God has placed in our lives. Normally we lead such a busy life that we do not savor the little things that are usually the most important.
6. Use new technologies to "see" and share time with your family, neighbors and friends. There are countless applications on our mobiles that allow us to stay in touch despite the distance.
7. If you must leave your home, be careful, especially if you are in a risk group.
8. Check with the Diocese, the Parish or your priest if the place of worship is open, if masses, funerals, catechism are celebrated, etc… It is important that before venturing to go to your Church you confirm if you can go, and under what conditions you must do it.
9. If you wish to collaborate with your parish through the brush or some charity, it is recommended that you do not do so with cash. Banknotes and coins can spread the coronavirus. Perhaps you can make a transfer, donate a religious article or collaborate with an activity that does not pose any risk to you.
10. You can follow the liturgical celebrations through the channels of priests and/or parishes on platforms such as Facebook or YouTube.
11. To take Communion you can go to your parish, remember to check beforehand the situation of the temple you are going to go to, or you can make the Spiritual Communion. As we can read on the official website of the Diocese of the Canary Islands , Spiritual Communion is "Spiritual Communion is a prayer with which the faithful Catholic expresses the desire to receive Jesus Christ in the Eucharist without materially making sacramental Communion, that is, , without receiving the consecrated host. It is used above all as a preparation for Holy Mass or in cases where it is impossible to go to it."
12. Having some religious and/or sacramental article in your home may help you to pray and cope with this situation with greater integrity. The Holy Rosary , the Crucifix, the Detente of the Sacred Heart, Scapulars , ... can help you in moments of greatest weakness.
13. Take advantage of the time that you are isolated with your family to discover the blessing that children, parents, siblings are,... Look for activities that may be of interest to all members of the family unit.
14. Priests who can carry out liturgical celebrations in different places of worship, it is recommended that they have ornaments and jewelry to celebrate in each of the locations. It is not advisable to move chalices, albs, stoles, per diem holders , etc… from one place to another. In principle there should not be any type of contagion but it is better to prevent.
15. Holy Week, like most Catholic celebrations, is a collective expression of individual sentiment. This year the celebration of Holy Week will be more collected, more intimate than usual, but this does not mean that the feeling should be less intense. For this reason we suggest that if you cannot leave your house during Holy Week, take Holy Week to your home. Some ideas we would like to share with you:
16. • Follow the Holy Week celebrations on the computer or on television.
    • Organize some activity on social networks to commemorate Holy Week, such as sharing photos or videos of Holy Week from other years. You can write to us on our social networks ( Google , Twitter , Facebook , Instagram or Pinterest ), we will be happy to collaborate with any initiative.
    • Recreate the atmosphere of the processions putting processional marches or burning incense.
    • Light candles or tealights at home, in the window or on the balcony, especially on days when night processions normally take place.
    • Dress in Nazarene costumes or other clothing typical of the dates.
    • Reproduce at home the light of the Resurrection of Christ by lighting a tealight or a candle during the Easter Vigil.
    • Hang balconies of the Resurrection of Christ on balconies and windows.
17. Many institutions such as theaters, museums, libraries... have made their resources available to the public through guided tours, videos, concerts, etc. It is a good time to discover (or rediscover) the vast world of knowledge and art that we have at our disposal.
18. If you need to buy any religious products for your parish or for your home, do not go to the store. It is preferable that you place your order in our online store. The World Health Organization has ruled out that the virus can be spread through a package.
19. Keep in your prayers the priests, bishops, the Pope, those who fight every day against the virus and the sick who suffer from it. Pray that this crisis that we now have to live will soon be overcome.

We hope that some of what has been said will help you. If you have any other useful tips that you would like to share, we would be very happy if you wrote to us. Among all we will make this situation bearable.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no harm, because you are with me.

Psalm 23:4