Greetings from Gaming!
Our family is doing well so far during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Austria's first case of the virus was confirmed on February 25. Currently there have been about 2,500 confirmed cases in Austria; none reported so far from Gaming, but several from the nearby town where Clare and Isaac were born.
As of Monday (March 16), those of us here in Austria may only leave our homes for the following reasons: urgently necessary professional activities; necessary purchases (groceries or medication); assisting other people; outside walks, alone or in company of people living in the same household. A ban is in place for public gatherings of more than 5 people. The restrictions are enforced by police and you receive a substantial fine for violating them. Restaurants were ordered close beginning on March 17. As of today these restrictions are in place until the Monday after Easter, April 13. Schools are closed, unless childcare is absolutely needed, and everyone has switched to homeschooling. The teachers send the children's assignments via email. Schools are closed until April 3 -- but then Holy Week/Easter break begins -- so schools are currently scheduled to re-open on Wednesday, April 15.
It was a crazy few weeks trying to keep the FUS Study Abroad Program going. Students were supposed to be in Rome and Assisi, Italy, from February 28 until March 8. That trip was cancelled before any cases were reported in Rome, and just days before cases began to spread in large numbers through Northern Italy. Upon hearing the news, students were unbelievably kind... showing their gratitude to Brian and the other staff, and many of them telling us they knew God was in control! Totally to our surprise and amazement, we received many cookies from those showing their gratitude!! Instead of departing for Italy on February 28, the students went to the Czech Republic for two days and we joined them. The schedule was reworked in hope that the students could complete their semester here. On March 8, many of us joined in a procession around Gaming, carrying a statue of Our Lady and praying the Rosary seeking protection from the virus. Sadly, on March 13 the announcement was made that the students had to return to the USA. By March 18 all the FUS students and the four TOR Sisters had left the Kartause. The two Franciscan priests and one Byzantine priest remain here.
As of yesterday (March 19), the US State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which calls on US citizens who live in the US but are currently overseas to "arrange for immediate return to the US, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period." We are currently planning to stay here.
We recognize we have many blessings living here. This past week we were blessed with beautiful weather, so as we began the lock down we enjoyed walks outside in the woods behind our house. I've had the help of Google Translate as I began homeschooling Ellie this week. Following the students' departure, Brian joined us at home yesterday. Today we were able to hike the path up the hill directly behind our house and pray at the outdoor Stations of the Cross along the way. So in this strange "unprecedented" time, we continue to rely on God. We're not certain what tomorrow will hold, but we trust in the Lord and we'll continue to carry our crosses (big or small) as we surrender to His Will.
Our family is doing well so far during the Coronavirus Pandemic. Austria's first case of the virus was confirmed on February 25. Currently there have been about 2,500 confirmed cases in Austria; none reported so far from Gaming, but several from the nearby town where Clare and Isaac were born.
As of Monday (March 16), those of us here in Austria may only leave our homes for the following reasons: urgently necessary professional activities; necessary purchases (groceries or medication); assisting other people; outside walks, alone or in company of people living in the same household. A ban is in place for public gatherings of more than 5 people. The restrictions are enforced by police and you receive a substantial fine for violating them. Restaurants were ordered close beginning on March 17. As of today these restrictions are in place until the Monday after Easter, April 13. Schools are closed, unless childcare is absolutely needed, and everyone has switched to homeschooling. The teachers send the children's assignments via email. Schools are closed until April 3 -- but then Holy Week/Easter break begins -- so schools are currently scheduled to re-open on Wednesday, April 15.
It was a crazy few weeks trying to keep the FUS Study Abroad Program going. Students were supposed to be in Rome and Assisi, Italy, from February 28 until March 8. That trip was cancelled before any cases were reported in Rome, and just days before cases began to spread in large numbers through Northern Italy. Upon hearing the news, students were unbelievably kind... showing their gratitude to Brian and the other staff, and many of them telling us they knew God was in control! Totally to our surprise and amazement, we received many cookies from those showing their gratitude!! Instead of departing for Italy on February 28, the students went to the Czech Republic for two days and we joined them. The schedule was reworked in hope that the students could complete their semester here. On March 8, many of us joined in a procession around Gaming, carrying a statue of Our Lady and praying the Rosary seeking protection from the virus. Sadly, on March 13 the announcement was made that the students had to return to the USA. By March 18 all the FUS students and the four TOR Sisters had left the Kartause. The two Franciscan priests and one Byzantine priest remain here.
As of yesterday (March 19), the US State Department issued a Level 4 travel advisory, which calls on US citizens who live in the US but are currently overseas to "arrange for immediate return to the US, unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period." We are currently planning to stay here.
We recognize we have many blessings living here. This past week we were blessed with beautiful weather, so as we began the lock down we enjoyed walks outside in the woods behind our house. I've had the help of Google Translate as I began homeschooling Ellie this week. Following the students' departure, Brian joined us at home yesterday. Today we were able to hike the path up the hill directly behind our house and pray at the outdoor Stations of the Cross along the way. So in this strange "unprecedented" time, we continue to rely on God. We're not certain what tomorrow will hold, but we trust in the Lord and we'll continue to carry our crosses (big or small) as we surrender to His Will.
Rosary Procession around Gaming (March 8):
Kartause gates closed (March 16):
All produce gone from Spar (March 14) -- as of today there is produce & meat available again:
Walks behind our house:
View of Kartause from the Intramural Field:
View of the hill behind our house from the Intramural Field. If you look closely you can see the little "shrines" scattered up the hill - those are the Stations of the Cross / Scenes from the Gospel:
Close-up of a hillside shrine:
St. Patrick's Day!
God bless!
God bless!
Sending love and prayers from Virginia! I'm so happy I got to visit you all last semester and catch up before this crazy pandemic began. It is unfortunate that the FUS students had to be sent home, but it sounds like they got a great trip to the Czech Republic in before that happened. Best wishes to your family in this uncertain time! -Stephen
ReplyDeleteStephen, great to hear from you! Hope you and your family are doing well in VA! So glad you got to visit us last semester!! God bless!
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