My goal for the pilgrimage last weekend was to enjoy my time with God. While I have to “work” throughout the pilgrimage, there are plenty of times and opportunities to just be quiet and be with God.
We have a few things to go over. Friday August 7th we will celebrate our second annual Mass to honor God the Father. The weekend of August 15 & 16 I will be consecrating our parish to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The plans for our annual pilgrimage are set. I have two projects that are in the works but moving slowly....
I have encouraged you to make your home your sanctuary in a real and spiritual way. Catholics have always believed that our home was a “domestic church”, and encouraged believers to have “church like” things in their homes.
Two weeks ago I hosted a small family wedding at St Mary’s. It was essentially two families getting together to celebrate the marriage of one son and one daughter. They had the wedding in Church, hors d’ouvres in the rectory and a reception in the parish hall. There were speeches, singing and dancing. All had a wonderful time.
I mentioned in one of the interviews with RJ that we could organize the parish ten people at a time and create “small communities” within the parish, if this was how we needed to move forward. I am more and more convinced that this is what we need to do.
I am pretty sure that I am not the only one who is surprised that we are not 100% back to Mass yet. The Covid epidemic seems to be lingering longer than our expectations and our patience.
It was WONDERFUL to have so many of you back to church last Sunday and these two weeks of daily Mass. To be called to be a shepherd and not feed the sheep is painful, as I know it was/is painful for you to be away.
We don’t need to take reservations for Mass anymore. Just come and join us. We’re going to hope for good weather and try for an outdoor coffee hour Sunday, June 21.
It is becoming clearer and clearer to me that God is doing something extraordinary at this present time. While bishops have suspended the obligation to attend Mass and shut down public celebration of the Eucharist, it seems that we are not only “being sifted like wheat,” but are being prepared for a greater test.
The Body of Christ is once again allowed to gather for Mass! There is no obligation, though. If you are ill or at-risk, you are still encouraged to remain home.