COVID Risks And Our Part

COVID Risks & Our Part

Dear Parishioners,

As of this writing (Tuesday, April 27), it is unknown which counties will be returning to the “Extreme Risk” status in the state. As of yesterday (Monday the 26th), the OHA reported 319 patients were hospitalized across the state, passing the 300 mark which Gov. Brown said would return counties like ours into the Extreme level. This will also be the case for the county where the priest’s special convocation is to be held. That introduces some questions that will need to be addressed due to gathering guidelines. Since the convocation is essentially a retreat and is truly a religious gathering, that wouldn’t cancel the gathering. The issue will be lodging and food. I have hope those will be ironed out.  

Beyond these issues, many businesses may have to curtail how they operate, most poignantly, restaurants and other similar entities. This effects not just employers, but their employees and the overall well-being of our county and state. It is a concern that our care facilities could once again be closed to family members and other visitors who further the overall health of those in those facilities. We may have to adjust our parish office hours or availability for walk-ins. All of this increases our suffering and challenges our faith.

While it is in the purview of the Governor to determine the response to health risks in our state, we have a part to play in regards to how we participate in the overall wellbeing of others. One way involves getting vaccinated. Here at St. Anne, we are working to host a clinic for vaccinations in proximity to our Mass times on the weekends. The timeline is not yet set as I write, but I hope it will make this opportunity more convenient. The second way involves being more conscientious and faithful to the behavioral guidelines set forth by our healthcare officials. That means wearing our masks correctly and maintaining the appropriate distancing just to name two major factors known to reduce the spreading of the virus.

As Catholics, we are called to care for the common good. We are people of hope, and look towards not only the end of the pandemic, but ways that God is working in and through the current situation. I was recently reminded that even this pandemic should not deter us from proclaiming and living out our faith. Indeed, it is through these times that some of the best of our faith has been demonstrated. So many people have given of the time, talent, and treasure! It is truly inspiring. Instead of being pulled down by the things about us, remember the Holy Spirit is with us always. If we dare to be open, we can be part of miracles, for God takes delight in turning darkness into light, suffering into triumph. We are people of hope and joy beyond our circumstances, for it is God who strengthens us.

Let us all play our part in the well-being of others.  Let us renew our prayers for an increase in faith, hope, and love. Remember that it is through sacrifice that Christ triumphed over death, and our sufferings can be salvific for ourselves and others. By our sacrifice, we give glory to God and love our neighbor. 

Please pray for us priests, the coming convocation, and the ongoing activity to re-invigorate our priestly vocations. Please pray that more people will be mindful of the risks to others for COVID-19 and be open to do their part in reducing its spread. We are all in this together. May we Catholics be beacons to our community of faith, love, and self-sacrifice for the good of our brothers and sisters. As my mother has encouraged by her prayers, specifically the Surrender Novena, “O Jesus, I surrender myself to you. Take care of everything!

Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger

Pastor

Questions About The Eucharist, Part I

Dear Parishioners,

I have an interesting series of questions that are important to understand and will help us at Mass and the Eucharist specifically.  To keep these Q & A’s short and understandable, I will break them up into several weeks.  Here’s the first two:

Question: “Is the Eucharist only a symbol of Christ’s presence?”

Answer: No.  All sacraments are symbols, but not only so.  The word, “sacrament,” comes from the Latin, “sacramentum” which comes from the Greek, “mysterion.”  Sacraments are outward signs, instituted by Christ, to give grace.  How’s that for a Baltimore Catechism response, eh?  But, sacraments, while symbolic, are different in that they point to themselves.  In other words, they do what they symbolize. The baptismal water symbolizes washing, and does truly wash the recipient of their original sin.  The Eucharist symbolizes food and truly feeds us with the presence of Christ.  So, it is not technically accurate to say that the Eucharist is only a symbol.  Rather it is more accurate to say it is symbolic and also, more importantly, substantial in that it contains or holds present that what it signs, that is Christ’s true presence.  Christ is present in the Eucharist not just symbolically, but truly and substantially.  Whew!  I hope that wasn’t too geeky of an explanation.

Question: “Is it required to have both bread and wine present for the sacrifice of the Mass?”

Answer: Yes.  The sacrifice at Mass requires both species to be present for consecration for Mass to be valid. It is essential to the completion of the sacrifice for both species to be consecrated.  Remember Jesus command his Apostles to “do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19).  The “this” is the consecration of the bread and wine which would become Christ’s Body and Blood. The Council of Trent, again, responding to critics made this clear: “The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ” (Session XIII, Canon III).


Hope this helps.  Next week’s question: “Is it okay to just receive the Eucharist in the host or chalice?”  Do you think you could answer this one?  Return next week and find out.


Blessings,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor