Every ten years, we must fill out a census form. Every state receives money from the federal government that funds such things as: Infrastructure Public education Special education programs Pell grants Medicaid and Medicare Section 8 WIC and SNAP Unemployment insurance Supportive housing for the elderly Community development Wildlife preservation Public housing, etc. If you have ever felt that our state needed more funding for any of the above items, then you MUST complete and return your census form. Regardless of your citizenship status or age, every resident counts. A form would have been already mailed directly to your household. For easier processing, it can now be done via the Internet. To fill out a form online, please visit www.my2020census.gov.
Some new relief was extended to renters this week. The COVID Rental Assistance Program will provide direct aid to New York tenants who lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is funded through the federal CARES Act. You can apply at https://hcr.ny.gov/RRP. On Monday, New York City will enter Phase 4 of reopening - though indoor activity at malls, restaurants or cultural institutions will not be permitted. Read more about Phase 4 at https://forward.ny.gov/phase-four-industries.
Most of the time being negative is considered a bad thing, but in this particular case, I am happy to report that all four priests here at St. Helena and the four brothers had the COVID-19 test, and our test results all came back NEGATIVE.