Memo from Msgr. Raun - Tuesday, April 7th, 2020
Dear family,
ARE WE CELEBRATING EASTER ? This email post was forwarded to me. Good heavens, does it express what I feel :
“After the President’s news conference was over, one of the reporters made the observation that for the first time in our nation’s history we won’t be celebrating Easter. Well let me tell you one thing, he’s dead wrong. We might not celebrate what Easter has become in that there may be no new clothes bought for that Sunday. We might not hide and hunt eggs in mass quantities. We may not travel home to attend church with our family. We might not see some folks at our worship services that we haven’t seen since Christmas, but we’re going to Celebrate Easter. As a matter of fact, every Sunday is Easter Sunday. Every time we assemble for worship we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pilate couldn’t kill him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. You think the corona virus is going to stop Easter. More people this year will hear the gospel than any other Easter before.
Easter is not just about special programs, although we will still have them at our church. It’s not about the trumpet call or the mass crowds. It’s the fact that we serve a living Savior who is still transforming lives today. Easter is not only about His resurrection, but our ability to rise with Him. Easter is about the hope of tomorrow and the gift of everlasting life. Yes indeed, we will celebrate. We’ll celebrate what God did for all of us at Calvary. How? By remembering Him. By loving Him. By worshiping Him. By praising Him. Easter for us is everyday. Let the celebration begin!"
Don’t test God. Practice social distancing so as not to put yourself in danger. Unite inconveniences to the sufferings of Jesus. Do the same with people irritating you at this time, including those in the media. Pray for them too.
Lord God, you know better than I that I am growing older and will someday be old.
Curb my tendency to say something on every subject and on every available occasion.Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but You know that I want a few friends at the end.Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.Also, Lord, seal my lips on my aches and pains. As they increase, my love of rehearsing them becomes sweeter with each passing year.I dare not ask for enough grace to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience.Nor do I dare ask for an improved memory, but only a growing humility, Lord, and greater forbearance when my memory seems to clash with the recollections of others.Also teach me the glorious lesson, Lord, that occasionally I may be mistaken.And please restrain me from nit-picking, nagging and complaining. I am not yet a saint, so help me, Lord, to be pleasant and gracious. I want others to enjoy, not avoid being with me. Finally, Lord, please grant me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people; and give me the grace to tell them so. Thank you, Lord!
ARE WE CELEBRATING EASTER ? This email post was forwarded to me. Good heavens, does it express what I feel :
“After the President’s news conference was over, one of the reporters made the observation that for the first time in our nation’s history we won’t be celebrating Easter. Well let me tell you one thing, he’s dead wrong. We might not celebrate what Easter has become in that there may be no new clothes bought for that Sunday. We might not hide and hunt eggs in mass quantities. We may not travel home to attend church with our family. We might not see some folks at our worship services that we haven’t seen since Christmas, but we’re going to Celebrate Easter. As a matter of fact, every Sunday is Easter Sunday. Every time we assemble for worship we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Pilate couldn’t kill him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. You think the corona virus is going to stop Easter. More people this year will hear the gospel than any other Easter before.
Easter is not just about special programs, although we will still have them at our church. It’s not about the trumpet call or the mass crowds. It’s the fact that we serve a living Savior who is still transforming lives today. Easter is not only about His resurrection, but our ability to rise with Him. Easter is about the hope of tomorrow and the gift of everlasting life. Yes indeed, we will celebrate. We’ll celebrate what God did for all of us at Calvary. How? By remembering Him. By loving Him. By worshiping Him. By praising Him. Easter for us is everyday. Let the celebration begin!"
WHAT'S HAPPENING ?
Today, April 7, 2020 Tuesday of Holy Week
5:30 pm Confessions in the Adoration Chapel
6 pm Holy Hour live streamed from the rectory
7 pm Sacred Music for Holy Week Concert featuring “Ah, Holy Jesus”
6 pm Holy Hour live streamed from the rectory
7 pm Sacred Music for Holy Week Concert featuring “Ah, Holy Jesus”
Tomorrow, April 8, Wednesday of Holy Week ("Spy Wednesday")
9 am Holy Mass live streamed from the rectory
5:30 pm Confessions in the Adoration Chapel
6 pm Holy Hour live streamed from the rectory
7 pm Sacred Music for Holy Week Concert featuring “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
5:30 pm Confessions in the Adoration Chapel
6 pm Holy Hour live streamed from the rectory
7 pm Sacred Music for Holy Week Concert featuring “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”
SPIRITUAL TIP FOR THE DAY :
PRAYER FOR THE DAY : One of our parishioners passed this prayer on to me. It's a good prayer for me, having just turned 64. (As Fr. Hilton keeps reminding me, now I have to say that I'm in my mid-60s instead of my early 60s). But I think it is a good prayer for everyone, especially in the national emergency we are going through:
PRAYER TO AGE WITH WISDOM
Lord God, you know better than I that I am growing older and will someday be old.
Curb my tendency to say something on every subject and on every available occasion.Release me from craving to straighten out everybody’s affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy.With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but You know that I want a few friends at the end.Keep me from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point.Also, Lord, seal my lips on my aches and pains. As they increase, my love of rehearsing them becomes sweeter with each passing year.I dare not ask for enough grace to enjoy the tales of others’ pains, but help me to endure them with patience.Nor do I dare ask for an improved memory, but only a growing humility, Lord, and greater forbearance when my memory seems to clash with the recollections of others.Also teach me the glorious lesson, Lord, that occasionally I may be mistaken.And please restrain me from nit-picking, nagging and complaining. I am not yet a saint, so help me, Lord, to be pleasant and gracious. I want others to enjoy, not avoid being with me. Finally, Lord, please grant me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people; and give me the grace to tell them so. Thank you, Lord!
I send you my fatherly blessing, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Msgr. Doug Raun
Posted in Daily Memo from Msgr. Raun
2 Comments
Msgr,
God Bless you and thank you for the words of encouragement. Your daily memo truly inspires and helps one see that God is pure love and mercy.
God Bless,
Ray
Thank you for your fatherly encouragement as you shepherd your parish flock through this difficult time. We pray for your continued good health.