Dear Parishioners,
Many of you have expressed a desire to attend an outdoor Mass at our parish. We hear ya! As promised, we're evaluating the feasibility of offering this opportunity. We just need to nail down the logistics and develop our plan over this weekend. I already connected with our guest priests, staff, tech team, and parish Knights who are all on board to make this a reality for us.
Bishop McElroy just posted a letter to the faithful and I want to share this link with you. I pray that we read it with an open mind and an open heart, with the mind and heart of Jesus:
I know a few neighboring parishes, such as Holy Trinity, St. Martin of Tours, Santa Sophia, and Our Lady of Grace, are set to offer outdoor Masses this weekend, July 18-19. If you wish to attend one of their outdoor Masses, simply go to their respective parish websites to get the details. I'll be checking one out myself. What these parishes have in common is ample space with minimal impediments and more resources at their fingertips. Take heart; we are almost there!
Here's how you can help us -- to ensure we can reasonably accommodate all of you who plan on attending this in-person outdoor Mass, we need a more accurate count as we layout the required social distancing parameters. To that end, I'm asking those of you who are pretty confident you/your family will attend a Sunday, 9:00 am outdoor Mass, to click on the 'Reply' arrow icon on the bottom right of this email and let me know how many in your household unit to expect.
As we’ve seen over the course of the past few months, things can change very quickly. We acknowledge the planning for our children/youth's return to school is still undetermined. Our catechetical staff and volunteer catechists share your angst. Nevertheless, we remain positive and, I believe, have developed viable online faith curricula that are flexible and interactive. You will receive a separate notification inviting you to enroll your family in Faith Formation for the 2020-2021 program year very soon.
I am also sharing an invitation from our Auxiliary Bishop John Dolan to view a special video series, "Treasures Found in a Kingdom Treasured" from Monday, July 20 through Sunday, July 26. This series will focus on our brothers and sisters within the African American community. It features ..."members of our diocese and the pastoral center who will share what they treasure in our society and what they bring to the table within the fabric of our humanity..." Simply click on the following link --
This week's news has presented us with another challenge, hurdle, or loss of control. Yes, it's frustrating and, to some people, infuriating because we have to experience yet another loss - no indoor worship. I get it! On a more personal note, one of the challenges of mourning the loss of the love of my life is that learning how to cope can be both intensely emotional and deeply aversive. The thought of me dying or one of my children dying can register as a threat in my mind. I strive to integrate my grief into day-to-day life by confronting the reality, the negative emotions, and by embracing the pain and sad episodes. I do this by relying on God, His Son's death and resurrection, and the loving people around me--people like you, my faith community! I choose to reflect on this pandemic and all its episodes in the same light, in the Light of Christ.
So I pray for healing in your lives, your families, your losses. I pray for your joys, your blessings, your sustenance of faith, and your journey as disciples.
With a very grateful heart,
Jane Cruz Alfano