Dear Fellow Parishioners; Several people have asked how I am doing celebrating Sunday Mass in an empty church; looking at empty pews.  Several have suggested adding a tape of parishioners talking, coughing and other familiar distractions.  Pam texted me Sunday afternoon to remind me that I was supposed to wear pink vestments for the 4th Sunday of Lent.  Ooops!  It is very different from all the 40+ years of my priesthood to be celebrating Mass with congregation that is unseen.  However, as I posted last week, your feed back regarding Mass helps to know that the flock is appreciative of our efforts to continue to keep Holy the Sabbath and to be nourished and nurtured by the Word of God. 

Dear Fellow Parishioners, “What a difference a day makes!” Well, these days we need up to the second information regarding our journey together, or apart by at least six feet during this pandemic. Little did we know Lent of 2020 would really be an invitation into solitude and an opportunity to “Be Open” to the many ways God is speaking to us and giving us the space to declutter our schedules so we can really pay attention.

Dear Fellow Parishioners, Be Open! And what a challenge that call is for us as we are faced with that which we have planned as a parish, that which the Diocese expects of us, and along comes the coronavirus, aka Covid19. It helps me to step back and look at what is happening; to put some order and perspective to what is happening. Here are my thoughts. I hope this perspective helps.

Dear Fellow Parishioners, Our Lenten journey is enhanced by all our senses as we gather during this 40-day communal desert experience. It starts as we enter the church and reach into the holy water font. The pebbles remind us that we in the dryness of the desert; we need to thirst for a deeper relationship with God and deepen our spiritual selves. The absence of candles reminds us that without the light of Christ we stumble in the darkness of sin.

Dear Fellow Parishioners,              “Be Open;” the challenge for us this Lenten season is before us!  “Be Open to be led by the Spirit,” “Be Open To Listen;” “Be Open to living water,” “Be Open to see,” Be Open to Believe,” “Be Open to death,” “Be Open to New Life!”