I would like to take time to applaud those who are coming to Mass and cooperating with all that the bishop requires for us to be able to have public Masses again. I know I am happy with now being able to celebrate Mass with at least some of our parishioners. Let me also say that I respect those who, for various reasons, are not comfortable coming back to church for Mass yet. I am aware that some have continued to participate in the Mass that we continue to livestream on www.facebook.com/frbillelser and make available for people to participate in on Sunday by logging on to our parish website www.hsvsacredheart.com or downloading the link that we send out on Saturday evening to those who have given us their e-mail address.
I have been especially pleased with those who so want to participate in Mass live and receive Holy Communion (but do not, as yet, feel comfortable coming in to the church building) that they come to our parking lot Mass. Even when we moved that Mass to Sunday at noon this past weekend, we had more cars the second week (78) than we did at the first parking lot Mass (61). We will continue to do our best (if the weather at all allows) to offer one parking lot Mass on the weekend and work out any bugs (or challenges) we have with having Mass in this setting and making sure everyone receives Holy Communion who wants to and/or is able to receive.
Next weekend, we conclude the Easter Season with the great solemnity of Pentecost when Jesus first sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and since then to all those who are made adopted children of God in Baptism. I hope we have all witnessed "Spirit-filled" people who are risen to the challenges of this pandemic time and helped others who need help to be lifted up or even rescued from anxiety, fear and even depression. Please pray for those who work in hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living places who have had to be "family" to those who have gone a long time without being able to visit in person with their biological family, friends and pastors, especially our Catholics who continue to not be able to receive Holy Communion AND those here and elsewhere who have had to wait to receive a sacrament or all the sacraments of initiation. May their spiritual longing for what Jesus and his Spirit bring be satified sooner than later!
I have been especially pleased with those who so want to participate in Mass live and receive Holy Communion (but do not, as yet, feel comfortable coming in to the church building) that they come to our parking lot Mass. Even when we moved that Mass to Sunday at noon this past weekend, we had more cars the second week (78) than we did at the first parking lot Mass (61). We will continue to do our best (if the weather at all allows) to offer one parking lot Mass on the weekend and work out any bugs (or challenges) we have with having Mass in this setting and making sure everyone receives Holy Communion who wants to and/or is able to receive.
Next weekend, we conclude the Easter Season with the great solemnity of Pentecost when Jesus first sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and since then to all those who are made adopted children of God in Baptism. I hope we have all witnessed "Spirit-filled" people who are risen to the challenges of this pandemic time and helped others who need help to be lifted up or even rescued from anxiety, fear and even depression. Please pray for those who work in hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living places who have had to be "family" to those who have gone a long time without being able to visit in person with their biological family, friends and pastors, especially our Catholics who continue to not be able to receive Holy Communion AND those here and elsewhere who have had to wait to receive a sacrament or all the sacraments of initiation. May their spiritual longing for what Jesus and his Spirit bring be satified sooner than later!
It is indeed a challenge for all of us to get used to the "new normal" that has evolved since the outbreak of the Coronavirus here in our country. It has affected almost every area of our lives, including our "faith lives." Something that many have taken for granted, like going to and participating in Mass was taken away from us (though we could at least participate in Mass via social media).
I certainly applaud those who have told me that they have been "watching" Mass or in some cases Masses on television or through the internet. I think it is important to quote our bishop, Anthony Taylor, who gave the green light for us to offer Mass in person for the first time in little under two months. In the multi page "restrictions and options for worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he says the Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended indefinitely for all people in our diocese. He then goes on to say a few lines later that ",,,all people remain obligated to keep holy the Lord's Day which they can do in any of a large variety of ways including the following: 1) Sunday participation in Mass live-streamed or on TV-ACTIVE PARTICIPATION and not just viewing; 2) attending weekday Mass in lieu of Sunday, when Sunday Mass is not available; (fortunately with the help of some of our liturgical ministers and dear ladies who have provided homemade masks, and volunteers who are dedicated to keeping our church sanitized) we have begun offering weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Church AND on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Church; and 3) private prayer in one's home for at least an hour using whatever forms of prayer that are comfortable for the person to do. With all these possibilities, the bishop is making it clear that we are NOT to take a long break from our relationship to the Lord and His Church by doing nothing in this time of "social distancing" for ours and the common good, but rather to recognize that in the face of so much disruption, we need the Lord to be the stable factor in our lives in worship and in private prayer!
The Knights of Columbus, a few years ago, started an initiative entitled "Building the Domestic Church." It encouraged families to find some new and consistent ways to make their homes a place of prayer and formation in the faith (which is actually nothing really new). I pray that one of the blessings of this pandemic will be a stronger and more diverse faith lives among true believers that includes, but goes beyond the weekend "routine" of coming to Mass (though the importance of that "routine" is not to be underestimated and I hope has been sorely missed by all people). We truly need the Lord in Community, Word AND Sacrament in our journey to the Communion of saints in heaven. The "new normal" may not be a bad thing at all, when it includes the Lord and his ways in our daily lives!
I certainly applaud those who have told me that they have been "watching" Mass or in some cases Masses on television or through the internet. I think it is important to quote our bishop, Anthony Taylor, who gave the green light for us to offer Mass in person for the first time in little under two months. In the multi page "restrictions and options for worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he says the Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended indefinitely for all people in our diocese. He then goes on to say a few lines later that ",,,all people remain obligated to keep holy the Lord's Day which they can do in any of a large variety of ways including the following: 1) Sunday participation in Mass live-streamed or on TV-ACTIVE PARTICIPATION and not just viewing; 2) attending weekday Mass in lieu of Sunday, when Sunday Mass is not available; (fortunately with the help of some of our liturgical ministers and dear ladies who have provided homemade masks, and volunteers who are dedicated to keeping our church sanitized) we have begun offering weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Church AND on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Church; and 3) private prayer in one's home for at least an hour using whatever forms of prayer that are comfortable for the person to do. With all these possibilities, the bishop is making it clear that we are NOT to take a long break from our relationship to the Lord and His Church by doing nothing in this time of "social distancing" for ours and the common good, but rather to recognize that in the face of so much disruption, we need the Lord to be the stable factor in our lives in worship and in private prayer!
The Knights of Columbus, a few years ago, started an initiative entitled "Building the Domestic Church." It encouraged families to find some new and consistent ways to make their homes a place of prayer and formation in the faith (which is actually nothing really new). I pray that one of the blessings of this pandemic will be a stronger and more diverse faith lives among true believers that includes, but goes beyond the weekend "routine" of coming to Mass (though the importance of that "routine" is not to be underestimated and I hope has been sorely missed by all people). We truly need the Lord in Community, Word AND Sacrament in our journey to the Communion of saints in heaven. The "new normal" may not be a bad thing at all, when it includes the Lord and his ways in our daily lives!
As I found myself overwhelmed by the thought of trying to respond as quickly but carefuly to the bishop's directives that will lead us to start offering public Masses again, I know that the help of the liturgy committee of the parish is something I can count on, but sadly it is now and will be missing a key component that I have been able to count on in the area of liturgy AND in other ministries for almost 10 years, Deacon John Froning. I know, as well, that many in the parish will miss both he and his wife, Nancy, who not only supported Deacon John in his Diaconate ministry, but was also active in ministries like LOSH (where she was president for a year), as a Eucharistic minister to shut-ins and on our liturgical enviornment committee. The lovely draperies we have in the sanctuary for the various liturgical seasons as well as vestments for the Celebrant and Deacon at Mass will be reminders to us of the Fronings' generosity and desire to beautify the area which is the focus of our liturgies.
It was obvious to those who listened that Deacon John's homilies were well planned and both challenged and comforted us who were blessed to hear them over the years. I and countless others asked Deacon John for a copy of some of his homilies for further reflection as we wanted to "ponder" his words that obviously came from the Lord because of his prayerfulness and study of Holy Scripture and his life experiences. Hopefully, we will treasure words such as these that were spoken more than a few times by Deacon John in various homilies; "we are all called to love as God loves and who God loves..........which is everyone! He prepared high school Confirmation parishioners along with Nancy, instructed people who desired to enter the community of the Catholic faith, helped and counseled people through the annulment process, visted the sick and comforted the bereaved in their time of loss, including leading widows and widowers through their grief to hope for their future. He gave valuable input in many parish and finance council meetings.
Only as time goes on will we both appreciate what Deacon John and Nancy did with some of the gifts God has given them, and grieve not having them around for their friendship and encouraging demeanors.
Due to current restrictions because of the Coronavirus, we are unable to have a nice appreciation and farewell parish gathering for the Fronings. Cards of appreciation are still being accepted at the church office which will be sent to them at their new address in Tennessee. They have happily agreed to return when we can have such a gathering when we can, as individuals and as a parish family wish them well in their future life in Franklin, Tennessee, hoping they will find other opportunities to return to be with our parish family that I know they love.
Removing the "Deacon Chair" in the sanctuary of our altar area will be a tough thing to do, as I have been as some of you have to experience 5 deacons serving the priests and the people of Sacred Heart Church at Masses, other ligurgies and in many other ways. They all served with distinction and enriched our faith lives in ways that give the glory to the Lord, whom they and their spuses love and willingly serve(d). God's blessings be always with Deacon John and Nancy!!
It was obvious to those who listened that Deacon John's homilies were well planned and both challenged and comforted us who were blessed to hear them over the years. I and countless others asked Deacon John for a copy of some of his homilies for further reflection as we wanted to "ponder" his words that obviously came from the Lord because of his prayerfulness and study of Holy Scripture and his life experiences. Hopefully, we will treasure words such as these that were spoken more than a few times by Deacon John in various homilies; "we are all called to love as God loves and who God loves..........which is everyone! He prepared high school Confirmation parishioners along with Nancy, instructed people who desired to enter the community of the Catholic faith, helped and counseled people through the annulment process, visted the sick and comforted the bereaved in their time of loss, including leading widows and widowers through their grief to hope for their future. He gave valuable input in many parish and finance council meetings.
Only as time goes on will we both appreciate what Deacon John and Nancy did with some of the gifts God has given them, and grieve not having them around for their friendship and encouraging demeanors.
Due to current restrictions because of the Coronavirus, we are unable to have a nice appreciation and farewell parish gathering for the Fronings. Cards of appreciation are still being accepted at the church office which will be sent to them at their new address in Tennessee. They have happily agreed to return when we can have such a gathering when we can, as individuals and as a parish family wish them well in their future life in Franklin, Tennessee, hoping they will find other opportunities to return to be with our parish family that I know they love.
Removing the "Deacon Chair" in the sanctuary of our altar area will be a tough thing to do, as I have been as some of you have to experience 5 deacons serving the priests and the people of Sacred Heart Church at Masses, other ligurgies and in many other ways. They all served with distinction and enriched our faith lives in ways that give the glory to the Lord, whom they and their spuses love and willingly serve(d). God's blessings be always with Deacon John and Nancy!!