Let us be a community
We are in a global crisis, a pandemic, and I hope that everyone recognizes that. It will
take all of us to save our community, our nation, our world, and the integrity of our
faith, and stand with the most vulnerable in this urgent time — especially as we adjust
to social distancing and uncertainty about our job, cut wages, even quarantine, and
our loved ones who work in healthcare exposed to the virus. This is the first time in
my life that I have ever faced a situation like this where the church doors are locked
and people have limited access or no access to the sacraments. This is indeed very
disheartening. While our parishes may be physically apart during this time, we want
everyone to be assured we are all in this together.
I am so glad that many of our parishioners have emailed and texted me offering to
help those in need in our communities. This is a great example of a loving community
that reaches out to those in need in time like this. This situation has offered us to find
new and creative ways to deepen community and relationships even without physical
proximity to each other and build solidarity with those on the margins.
We will do the necessary to meet the spiritual and material needs of every member of
our parish communities until everyone can meet again in our parishes for Sunday
Mass. This is a great and personal way to become the communion we need. Now
more than ever, we must hold fast to the great virtue of Hope and help everyone keep
the Faith during this time of coronavirus.
These are the following things that I am doing to meet the pastoral needs of the
faithful:
I will do the daily mass and post them on the website for people to participate in the
Eucharist. We will have access to the church for people to come and pray and receive
communion if anyone wishes to pray and to receive communion. (Please call the
parish office before you come to pray or receive communion).
I will bring communion to the sick and homebound upon request and will be available
on the phone for spiritual direction.
Please make calls to check on our parishioners to ask if they are in need. Please let us
know if you know of anyone who is in need of grocery, pastoral or any need.
Your servant.
