Dear Fellow Parishioners, Being church in a different way, looking at the Catholic Community of Sacred Heart through a new lens; that is the challenge we face each and every day as we navigate through this pandemic. We are doing everything we can to gather safely each weekend for Mass at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday and 9:30 A.M. on Sunday. Someone pointed out that I sanitize hands during Mass more than they do the whole day! It is necessary for me to make sure that everyone is as safe as possible, so we are following the directives from the state and Diocese to protect everyone.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are beginning a new homily series entitled “Talking About Stuff that Really Matters!” It is hard to focus and keep focused on the things that really matter. The many distractions that clutter our thinking may prevent many of us from focusing on the important. Take the hazy, hot and humid weather for example. Due to the weather, which we can do nothing about, we focus energy on how HOT it is!
Dear Fellow Parishioners, First Communions and Confirmations are all completed for this calendar year. Normally the sacraments are celebrated during the Easter Season, but we were challenged by the pandemic. Still, the sacramental grace flowed, and we are so pleased to welcome our young people to the table of the bread and congratulate our confirmandi who completed their Sacraments of Initiation.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are working on two projects at this time and I am inviting others to join in if you feel so called. Due to the covid-19 pandemic we are postponing our parish Synod that we were planning for this fall. Since that is on hold, Deacon Tom Tierney and I are going to team teach Justfaith. It certainly fits into where we are in our country right now addressing the issue of what I call “Black Safety Matters.” Yes, “Black lives Matter” and how do the many of us who are privileged due to the color of our skin help to create an atmosphere where people are judged, not by the color of their skin, but as MLK has dreamed, all are judged by the “content of their character.”
Dear Fellow Parishioners, On Monday July 6th we celebrated the funeral of our Deacon Joseph Manella at Sacred Heart Church in Milford. Even though he was assigned here for 29 years he received all his sacraments of initiation at the Milford Parish. I had the honor of preaching at his funeral. As I reflect on Deacon Joe’s many years here at Sacred Heart, I recall the many conversations I had with him since we were “classmates!”
Dear Fellow Parishioners, I sleep very well at night. Someone called me the energizer bunny recently and it is because I sleep very well. Often in checking up on parishioners before we reopened, I would be asked, “And, how are you?” Do you really want to know? Well, I thought I’d let you in!
Dear Fellow Parishioners, As Catholics we are a Sacramental People. We recognize the grace of God coming to us as a community, celebrating the gifts of the Holy Spirit at Confirmation, and the gift of being nourished at the table of the bread in Eucharist. In an effort to make sure that family members can attend Confirmation and First Eucharist, and at the same time everyone in the parish can “fit” into the church and still “socially distance,” we are have scheduled three Confirmation celebrations, and four first Eucharist celebrations over the next several weeks. We also realize that due to travel restrictions and some relatives being in the high-risk category, they are not able to attend these celebrations. To accommodate their needs, we are so grateful to Ed Lavallette and Rob Russell who are willing to make sure all these services are live streamed so that everyone can be “present” at these important times in the lives of family members.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Many things are being accomplished around the parish even during these Covid-19 times of social distancing. There is always a danger in thanking people by name because we may forget someone; and others may have taken care of projects, simply did it quietly and under the radar. To all those who have been assisting with projects and continue committee and teamwork from a distance, thank you so very much.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, During the past year, many have been preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation, First Eucharist and full entry into our Catholic Faith through RCIA. Bishop McManus has given all pastors faculties (permission) to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation-with precautions during the month of June. Following the State guidelines regarding maximum capacity and social distancing, we will begin to celebrate the sacraments and administer Confirmation to six confirmandi at each of three Masses; June 20 at 4:00 P.M. June 27 at 4:00 P.M. and Sunday June 28th at 9:30 A.M. RCIA candidates will be included in the last Confirmation group.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, I have moved from “numb” to “listening.” Since George Floyd was murdered, protests began and our racism has fully been exposed, I realize that listening to each other’s stories and listening to our hearts is the only way we can restore our humanity as a nation.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, We are open, and I am so very thankful that we started with no problems with following and respecting the procedures we set in place. I wish to thank those who have come forward to as ushers and greeters. They have the added responsibility of cleaning and disinfecting the pews, bathrooms and door handles before the next Mass takes place. Our plan is to continue with two Masses, one at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday and continue with the 8:30 A.M. on Sunday for three weeks; now until June 6 and 7. We will then evaluate the need for the two Masses and decide our practice for the next phase.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, Our safety, health and patience are most important as we tread carefully to begin joining together as a community of faith in the weeks ahead. Guidelines have been prepared for us by state and Diocesan Officials. It is up to us on the local level to follow them as our facilities and staffing allow. It takes time to ready the church; making sure everything is clean and the pews are marked so people can be directed where to be seated. Even though the directives state we can open at 40% of our capacity, that number does not at all allow for proper social distancing. We will only be able to safely accommodate 20-25% of our seating capacity.
Dear Fellow Parishioners, I wish to thank all our Parish Life Teams for continuing their work throughout this pandemic and working through Zoom meetings and e-mails to help keep things up and running. Our parish staff continues to work to make sure everything happens like clockwork without a hitch. How pleased I am when we seek ministers to serve at live-stream Masses, directing traffic on Mother’s Day, helping with flowers, whatever the need, there is always a willingness to serve. Rob and Gina Russell and Steve Chaplin have not missed one live stream Mass and have volunteered their services throughout this time.