We have all heard or said the following in certain situations. "Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoes." First of all, I am not going to "judge" anyone who has decided for various reasons not to come back to Mass in church. The bishop has laid out reasons why it is still okay for a person after serious thought and prayer not to return to church for Mass with the pandemic still going on. I will still not hesitate though to strongly encourage trying our outdoor parking lot Mass which now takes place on Sundays at 11:30 a.m. and is the safest way, I believe to attend Mass and receive the precious gift of Holy Communion as the Eucharistic celebration (with reception of Holy Communion) it is all times "THE SOURCE AND SUMMIT OF OUR CATHOLIC FAITH."
Getting back to walking a mile in another's shoes, I believe I did something like that last weekend when Fr. Ron Hoye, our parish mission director was the main Celebrant of our Masses in church and I wore a mask as the con-celebrant and therefore now know what it's like to wear a mask (not for a mile, but for 40-45 minutes at a weekend Mass). After doing so, I want to say how much I appreciate those who have been coming to Mass in church wearing a mask for the entire time they are in our parish building. I can not attest that it's not an easy thing to do. I see, however, people who are mostly seniors and some with medical conditions, following the protocols that are keeping us safe from the coronavirus at church, and attending and participating in Mass on the Lord's Day and at other times. Like places in the Middle East where some Catholics have been attending Mass regularly even before the coronavirus with the real threat of death from those who would do them harm, there are more than a few in our parish who still are coming to Mass in spite of the possible harm and life threatening effects of the coronavirus if they contract it while in church (or really anywhere).
And of course there are those who continue to keep their Holy Hour in our Adoration Chapel so as to help keep our Perpetual Adoration ministry going (and I pray growing)! God bless you for the inspiration you give to me and others in this difficult, pandemic times. I truly believe that we are not only giving witness to our faith and trust in the Lord, but also we are growing in our union with the Lord who is ALWAYS ready to give us strength and hope in good times and in hard times as well! I and the community of faith look forward to our brothers and sisters in the faith returning to us whenever they choose to do so. Let us ALL continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and the fear it brings that in some cases is paralyzing many people's lives!
Getting back to walking a mile in another's shoes, I believe I did something like that last weekend when Fr. Ron Hoye, our parish mission director was the main Celebrant of our Masses in church and I wore a mask as the con-celebrant and therefore now know what it's like to wear a mask (not for a mile, but for 40-45 minutes at a weekend Mass). After doing so, I want to say how much I appreciate those who have been coming to Mass in church wearing a mask for the entire time they are in our parish building. I can not attest that it's not an easy thing to do. I see, however, people who are mostly seniors and some with medical conditions, following the protocols that are keeping us safe from the coronavirus at church, and attending and participating in Mass on the Lord's Day and at other times. Like places in the Middle East where some Catholics have been attending Mass regularly even before the coronavirus with the real threat of death from those who would do them harm, there are more than a few in our parish who still are coming to Mass in spite of the possible harm and life threatening effects of the coronavirus if they contract it while in church (or really anywhere).
And of course there are those who continue to keep their Holy Hour in our Adoration Chapel so as to help keep our Perpetual Adoration ministry going (and I pray growing)! God bless you for the inspiration you give to me and others in this difficult, pandemic times. I truly believe that we are not only giving witness to our faith and trust in the Lord, but also we are growing in our union with the Lord who is ALWAYS ready to give us strength and hope in good times and in hard times as well! I and the community of faith look forward to our brothers and sisters in the faith returning to us whenever they choose to do so. Let us ALL continue to pray for an end to this pandemic and the fear it brings that in some cases is paralyzing many people's lives!