Dear Parishioners,

We have begun our limited reopening! For those of you who will go this week, I hope it will offer you a window of new hope and a new appreciation of the importance of the Mass. It is the “Source and Summit” of our faith, for in it we experience the re-presentation of the Paschal Mystery of Christ, that is his suffering, death, and resurrection. Instead of watching from a screen, you can witness these events in person. 

Since I am writing this column before the actual opening, I want to thank you ahead of time for your patience in all of this: the rewinding of public Masses, the live streaming and recorded Masses, the shuffling of confession times, the closing of our offices, the shuttering of our ministries, and much more. It has been very difficult for us all, and it is not yet over. This week is only a crack in the flood gates of the releasing of our ministries. We will be very clear as things begin to loosen or open up. Many have asked me if we can begin to open up our Communion to the Homebound ministry. At this time, the answer is, no. The permissions given us by Archbishop Sample at this point are only for the limited offering of Mass.

In order to offer Mass for all those who can and want to be present, we have create a rather radical Mass schedule of 16 Masses-a-week with two of those being at our missions. So, I ask for your patience with me and Fr. Arjie as we shift from offering Mass in the most limited way, to a duplication of the Mass beyond anything we’ve ever done. It is doable. But, it depends on our ability to pace ourselves. So, please offer some prayers for us and all those who are working behind the scenes to make the Mass available in the way we are. 

Finally, let us keep our hearts and minds free from self-absorption about what we want and have a right to, and instead seat deep in our hearts what our responsibilities are to each other. If you are going to Mass, maybe consider someone you know who cannot go, and talk with them and pray with them. Offer your time at Mass for their intentions as well as your own. Be their representative before the Lord. Maybe light a candle for them when you arrive at church. Then go see them again and talk to them about your experience at Mass, and share with them your faith and encourage them, as they stay home to keep safe. Mass, just like our faith, is not something to keep to oneself. No! It is to be shared, for we heard in today’s Gospel, we are to go out and make disciples. So, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call” (Eph. 1:18). Go share the Good News!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor