Memo from Msgr. Raun - Wednesday, May 6th, 2020
My dear family in the Lord,
Greetings in the Risen Lord!
REASONS TO HOPE IN GOD'S GOODNESS
Today Psalm 23 teaches us....God will guide you when you’re confused!
“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). Indecision is stressful, but God promises to guide you. You don’t need to worry about tomorrow’s challenges because God will help you with whatever you face.
MONSIGNOR, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START HAVING MASS AGAIN? PART III God bless the dear pious people who say “Certainly, Jesus will not allow anyone to get the virus from receiving Holy Communion!” God loves such childlike faith, but He also warns us not to demand or even presume miracles from Him. In the Bible we are told “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (You might remember that this was one of the three temptations our Lord faced in the desert.)
Again, our wise guide in this matter is our beloved patron, St. Thomas Aquinas. He addresses the question of if, after the Consecration and before the Communion a priest discovers that the wine used for Mass is poisoned, should he consume it? He answers no, “lest the Chalice of Life become a cup of death.” Just take out the words “poisoned wine” and put in the words “Covid-19 covered host”, and you have your answer.
I know how upsetting it is to not be able to attend Mass or receive Holy Communion. No one does it upset more than me. When I celebrated Easter Mass in an empty church – Easter Mass!!! – I thought my heart would break. But our way out of this situation will not be anger, name-calling, or irrational thinking. Let us presume good will of others, trust and support our spiritual leaders, pray for our civic leaders, realize that our highest duty as Christians is the well-being of others, and not the fulfillment of our own needs. As St. Paul teaches us “over all these things, put on love.” If we do that, then this quarantine will be an explosion of love such as never been seen before, and God will, through us, bring great good out of this great evil.
MASS INTENTIONS: When the suspension of public Masses began, that threw our schedule of Mass intentions off. But I want you to know that Fr. Young, Fr. McKee, and myself have been busy offering the Mass each day for these intentions, and by May 21 we will be all "caught up" on them. We might not have been able to offer the Mass on the day you requested, but the Mass was offered for your intention, and that is the important thing!
We are now able to accept new Mass intentions. Just call up the office (892-1511) to request a Mass.
HOLINESS TIP: “We must be living witnesses of the beauty and grandeur of Christianity.” How are we encouraging people in faith these days? Maybe by sharing an uplifting post on social media or by creating Catholic sidewalk or window art? Maybe by calling someone who needs a word, or two, of hope? Maybe by sending someone an encouraging note — and including a holy card? .(inspired from the sayings of St.Gianna Molla).
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
WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF MAY - PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY!
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
- Just asked a 6-year-old if he understands why there is no school. He said yes because they are out of toilet paper.
- After years of wanting to thoroughly clean my house but lacking the time, this week I discovered that wasn’t the reason
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY:
Lord, death could not hold You. And because of Your resurrection, we, too, can live. Thank You that the grave is only a journey into the presence of God. You have removed the sting of death and empowered life. Now I will live in Your presence forever. Amen.
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
Greetings in the Risen Lord!
REASONS TO HOPE IN GOD'S GOODNESS
Today Psalm 23 teaches us....God will guide you when you’re confused!
“He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3). Indecision is stressful, but God promises to guide you. You don’t need to worry about tomorrow’s challenges because God will help you with whatever you face.
MONSIGNOR, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO START HAVING MASS AGAIN? PART III God bless the dear pious people who say “Certainly, Jesus will not allow anyone to get the virus from receiving Holy Communion!” God loves such childlike faith, but He also warns us not to demand or even presume miracles from Him. In the Bible we are told “You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.” (You might remember that this was one of the three temptations our Lord faced in the desert.)
Again, our wise guide in this matter is our beloved patron, St. Thomas Aquinas. He addresses the question of if, after the Consecration and before the Communion a priest discovers that the wine used for Mass is poisoned, should he consume it? He answers no, “lest the Chalice of Life become a cup of death.” Just take out the words “poisoned wine” and put in the words “Covid-19 covered host”, and you have your answer.
I know how upsetting it is to not be able to attend Mass or receive Holy Communion. No one does it upset more than me. When I celebrated Easter Mass in an empty church – Easter Mass!!! – I thought my heart would break. But our way out of this situation will not be anger, name-calling, or irrational thinking. Let us presume good will of others, trust and support our spiritual leaders, pray for our civic leaders, realize that our highest duty as Christians is the well-being of others, and not the fulfillment of our own needs. As St. Paul teaches us “over all these things, put on love.” If we do that, then this quarantine will be an explosion of love such as never been seen before, and God will, through us, bring great good out of this great evil.
MASS INTENTIONS: When the suspension of public Masses began, that threw our schedule of Mass intentions off. But I want you to know that Fr. Young, Fr. McKee, and myself have been busy offering the Mass each day for these intentions, and by May 21 we will be all "caught up" on them. We might not have been able to offer the Mass on the day you requested, but the Mass was offered for your intention, and that is the important thing!
We are now able to accept new Mass intentions. Just call up the office (892-1511) to request a Mass.
HOLINESS TIP: “We must be living witnesses of the beauty and grandeur of Christianity.” How are we encouraging people in faith these days? Maybe by sharing an uplifting post on social media or by creating Catholic sidewalk or window art? Maybe by calling someone who needs a word, or two, of hope? Maybe by sending someone an encouraging note — and including a holy card? .(inspired from the sayings of St.Gianna Molla).
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
WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF MAY - PRAY THE ROSARY EVERY DAY!
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
- Just asked a 6-year-old if he understands why there is no school. He said yes because they are out of toilet paper.
- After years of wanting to thoroughly clean my house but lacking the time, this week I discovered that wasn’t the reason
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY:
Lord, death could not hold You. And because of Your resurrection, we, too, can live. Thank You that the grave is only a journey into the presence of God. You have removed the sting of death and empowered life. Now I will live in Your presence forever. Amen.
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
1 Comment
Msgr Raun. Your kind ,beautiful words have touched my heart and given me solace for nearly 30 yrs now!! They make me cry, but they are tears of Thanksgiving, and love. Thank You, Thank You!! I know I can get thru this day now May Our Sweet, loving Mother hold you in Her Arms up to Our Lord, JESUS