Church services, school quiz contest affected by virus

More church services in the region are being cancelled because of the spread of Covid-19. 

The Catholic Diocese of Winona and Rochester is suspending Sunday and weekday masses through May 15th. 

Churches in the diocese may remain open for private prayer. 

The number of people attending weddings or funerals at southeast Minnesota Catholic churches will be restricted. 

A popular springtime fund-raising event in La Crosse won’t happen this April.

Because of the coronavirus and the suspension of area schools, the RSVP organization has cancelled the “Who Will Be Smarter than a 5th Grader” contest that was scheduled for April 18th at Central High School. 

Fifth graders from area schools are matched up with local celebrities for a quiz on familiar school subjects. 

The contest often raises in excess of $100,000 a year for the RSVP programs for area seniors. 

Donations will still be made to all 17 schools that have chosen students for the contest, and the plan is to resume the event a year from now.