Memo from Msgr. Raun- Thursday April 16th, 2020

My dear family in the Lord,

The Lord is risen. ALLELUIA !


"There is something that you have been putting off for quite some time. Maybe it’s a book, a devotion in prayer, a novena, a project to improve and express your mind. It has been pushed aside because “space” wasn’t available to make room for it. Now, we have more space than some of us really wanted or ever asked for. Your schedule has slowed down. All the distractions are far more distant. All there is left to do is to be in God's presence.

This is the time to grow in fervor for our Beloved, to speak heart-to-heart with Christ in ways that perhaps we do not when the sacraments are available to us, but we did them out of sheer "obligation"; to enrich all of the "doing" of things with an opportunity to simply be with Christ—to find his peace in the middle of seeming chaos—and then bring all we have learned within that “being with Christ" back to the parish, for the sake of the whole community. When we return to our communal worship, let us do so with greater love, with a greater appreciation: for the opportunities to pray the Mass together, for Adoration, for the priesthood, and for the haven that we find within the walls of our parish home."
- Rachael Bulman, adapted from The Stress of COVID-19 Forms a Fonder Catholic Heart  read the whole thing https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/the-stress-of-covid-19-forms-a-fonder-catholic-heart/27069/

DAILY PARISH WORSHIP during the Quarantine:

9 am - Holy Mass on-line
5:30 pm Confessions in the Adoration Chapel (Monday through Saturday)
6 pm Holy Hour on-line

THE DIVINE MERCY NOVENA will be part of the 6 pm Holy Hour each day this week.

PRAISE REPORT:  In the collection, we received this note from our parishioners, Andrew and Marie - 

"Dear Everyone,

Despite any challenges we are facing and we all have to deal with, may GOD help us to be stronger in our faith that is bigger than perceived problems we are experiencing currently from the merciless virus. May God continue to guide us all with perseverance that we may be mature and complete to face any trials without weary. May there be strength and wisdom to get us all through this trying chapter.

In faith, hope and love, let the Risen Lord strengthen every family to remain as one and with a much stronger faith that will be everlasting. Amen."

I praise God that we are blessed with parishioners who view this crises from such a spiritual perspective !

NEW ALPHA SERIES! : We have 20 people signed up already! How about you? How about inviting someone you know? Just go to stanm.org to register (which you have to do because we are going to have it on Zoom.)

YES, WE STILL HAVE THE SACRAMENTS:

- I am very happy to make sick calls for the seriously ill. Just call the parish office (892-1511) or, after office hours, the rectory (891-9868)

- We are happy to baptize babies. Sorry, only the parents and godparents can be present. Have the party later. Just call 892-1511 to arrange it.

- Yes, we are performing marriages. And we do have couples getting married! Sorry, only the bride, groom and two witnesses can be present. Again, throw the party later! Call 892-1511 to make arrangements.

SHARE US ON-LINE on your social media. Download the parish app onto your smart phone or tablet. It the easiest way to receive everything the parish has to enrich your life.

HOLINESS TIP: While staying connected with people by the phone or over the internet, bless them. Pray for the person calling you and pray before you call someone.

OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: I discovered this prayer only today. A priest on the Internet suggested it. So I looked it up - my, is it perfect for these strange times! It is from the Sisters of Life:

LITANY OF TRUST

From the belief that I have to earn Your love
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that I am unlovable
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the false security that I have what it takes
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear that trusting You will leave me more destitute
Deliver me, Jesus.
From all suspicion of Your words and promises
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the rebellion against childlike dependency on You
Deliver me, Jesus.
From refusals and reluctances in accepting Your will
Deliver me, Jesus.
From anxiety about the future
Deliver me, Jesus.
From resentment or excessive preoccupation with the past
Deliver me, Jesus.
From restless self-seeking in the present moment
Deliver me, Jesus.
From disbelief in Your love and presence
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being asked to give more than I have
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the belief that my life has no meaning or worth
Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of what love demands
Deliver me, Jesus.
From discouragement
Deliver me, Jesus.
That You are continually holding me, sustaining me, loving me 
Jesus, I trust in You.
That Your love goes deeper than my sins and failings and transforms me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That not knowing what tomorrow brings is an invitation to lean on You
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are with me in my suffering
Jesus, I trust in You.
That my suffering, united to Your own, will bear fruit in this life and the next
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will not leave me an orphan, that You are present in Your Church
Jesus, I trust in You.
That Your plan is better than anything else
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You always hear me and in Your goodness always respond to me
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You give me the grace to accept forgiveness and to forgive others
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You give me all the strength I need for what is asked
Jesus, I trust in You.
That my life is a gift
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You will teach me to trust You
Jesus, I trust in You.
That You are my Lord and my God
Jesus, I trust in You.
That I am Your beloved one
Jesus, I trust in You.
from the SISTERS OF LIFE
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

1 Comment


Mariam Marsico - April 17th, 2020 at 2:48pm

Well done. Monsignor, I’m glad you put this prayer on line