Memo from Msgr. Raun - Friday, July 31st, 2020
My dear family,
Greetings in the Lord Jesus!
WAYS THAT COVID SHOWS HOW DESPERATELY THE WORLD NEEDS GOD
When we first heard of a worldwide pandemic, we saw this world beginning to come together. We were unified. We saw signs along the freeways saying “We’re all in the together.” There was a spirit of cooperation for the sake of our health and everyone else’s around us.
But unity, without the presence of God, is short-lived. Before long there were accusations, feelings of anger and mistrust, shaming and basically a nation and world that came unhinged.
The coronavirus pandemic is another indicator of a world so in need of Jesus that we literally cannot function without Him. Here are ways COVID-19 shows the world needs God and a Savior.
1. We Are Not as Strong as We Thought
The late singer and songwriter Rich Mullins got it right in the title and chorus of his song released nearly 25 years ago, “We are Not as Strong as We Think We Are.”
Americans have lived for decades with convenience, luxury, perceived strength, and an overall sense of world peace. Then a microscopic virus wreaked havoc on our health, our economy, and our peace of mind. Never have we been stripped so completely of our confidence, conveniences, capabilities, and our peace of mind than now. And this anxiety is not only found in the world: the church appears to be struggling, too.
May we, as Christ-followers, be the first to humbly admit, as the Apostle Paul did, “His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).
I'M BACK ! Ruidoso was very peaceful. It rained almost every afternoon, which, for an Albuquerque boy like myself, was a pleasant change of pace. Fr. Hilton beat me two times at gin rummy, but then I beat him two times, so we are even! Many thanks to Fr. McKee and the staff that kept the parish going while I was away. Now we look forward to an August full of planning for an exciting, if unusual, autumn in our parish!
EUCHARISTIC EXPOSITION TO RESUME : On our next First Friday, August 7th, we will expose the Blessed Sacrament in the church for Adoration from 10 am to 6 pm, concluding with Benediction before the 6 pm Mass.
We will see the response to this time of Adoration, and off of that make decisions about future expansion of times for Exposition. Of course our ultimate goal is to resume 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration when conditions permit.
PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER ! I'm sure that most of you are aware of the number of sacrilegious attacks on sacred images and church building that have been happening in our country and throughout the world these past few weeks, There is spiritual warfare going on out there, my friends. Pray that God will protect His Holy Church. Pray that you may be strong as a solider of Christ. And pray for the conversion of the people who are doing these blasphemous things, that they may be converted to our Lord Jesus Christ!
THE GOVERNOR has extended the current restrictions until the end of August, so we are going to be at the 25% attendance and other restrictions for a while longer. I know it is inconvenient. Focus on how happy and grateful we should be at being able to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. Remember last Easter, when we could not attend Mass or receive Communion. Christians don't whine and gripe! We rejoice and give thanks!
HOW TO GO TO MASS:
1. All Masses - just show up. But remember that we have to close off the church when we reach 250 people in attendance.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Be prepared to receive Communion in the hand.
IF WE REACH 250 PEOPLE AT A MASS, and a person arrives after that, they will be invited to come to another Mass, or they can go to their car and wait, and they will be allowed to join the Communion line at the end of Mass. We are now broadcasting every Sunday Mass on our new low-wattage FM transmitter, at 106.5 FM. You can receive this signal from anyplace in the parking lot of the church.
Communion outside the doors of the Religious Education Building is distributed after the Sunday 9 am Mass for those who do not yet feel comfortable going inside the church.
CONFESSIONS:
Weekdays: 8 am and 5 pm
Saturday: 8 am and 2:30 pm
BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES,SICK CALLS and FUNERALS are all taking place, albeit under the restrictions mandated by the Archbishop and the Governor. Just call the parish office and we will gladly help you with the preparations needed.
PLEASE SHARE ALL THIS INFORMATION WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET!
HOLINESS TIP : The Supernatural Power of Humility, According to the Saints
“Humility drives Satan away,
and cherishes the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit within us,
and for that reason all the Saints–
and especially the King of Saints and His Blessed Mother–
have always esteemed the grace of humility above all other virtues.” St. Francis de Sales
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Today is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. This is one of his famous prayers.......
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
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 Lord Jesus!
WAYS THAT COVID SHOWS HOW DESPERATELY THE WORLD NEEDS GOD
When we first heard of a worldwide pandemic, we saw this world beginning to come together. We were unified. We saw signs along the freeways saying “We’re all in the together.” There was a spirit of cooperation for the sake of our health and everyone else’s around us.
But unity, without the presence of God, is short-lived. Before long there were accusations, feelings of anger and mistrust, shaming and basically a nation and world that came unhinged.
The coronavirus pandemic is another indicator of a world so in need of Jesus that we literally cannot function without Him. Here are ways COVID-19 shows the world needs God and a Savior.
1. We Are Not as Strong as We Thought
The late singer and songwriter Rich Mullins got it right in the title and chorus of his song released nearly 25 years ago, “We are Not as Strong as We Think We Are.”
Americans have lived for decades with convenience, luxury, perceived strength, and an overall sense of world peace. Then a microscopic virus wreaked havoc on our health, our economy, and our peace of mind. Never have we been stripped so completely of our confidence, conveniences, capabilities, and our peace of mind than now. And this anxiety is not only found in the world: the church appears to be struggling, too.
May we, as Christ-followers, be the first to humbly admit, as the Apostle Paul did, “His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in my weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-11).
I'M BACK ! Ruidoso was very peaceful. It rained almost every afternoon, which, for an Albuquerque boy like myself, was a pleasant change of pace. Fr. Hilton beat me two times at gin rummy, but then I beat him two times, so we are even! Many thanks to Fr. McKee and the staff that kept the parish going while I was away. Now we look forward to an August full of planning for an exciting, if unusual, autumn in our parish!
EUCHARISTIC EXPOSITION TO RESUME : On our next First Friday, August 7th, we will expose the Blessed Sacrament in the church for Adoration from 10 am to 6 pm, concluding with Benediction before the 6 pm Mass.
We will see the response to this time of Adoration, and off of that make decisions about future expansion of times for Exposition. Of course our ultimate goal is to resume 24 hour Eucharistic Adoration when conditions permit.
PRAYER, PRAYER, PRAYER ! I'm sure that most of you are aware of the number of sacrilegious attacks on sacred images and church building that have been happening in our country and throughout the world these past few weeks, There is spiritual warfare going on out there, my friends. Pray that God will protect His Holy Church. Pray that you may be strong as a solider of Christ. And pray for the conversion of the people who are doing these blasphemous things, that they may be converted to our Lord Jesus Christ!
THE GOVERNOR has extended the current restrictions until the end of August, so we are going to be at the 25% attendance and other restrictions for a while longer. I know it is inconvenient. Focus on how happy and grateful we should be at being able to attend Mass and receive Holy Communion. Remember last Easter, when we could not attend Mass or receive Communion. Christians don't whine and gripe! We rejoice and give thanks!
HOW TO GO TO MASS:
1. All Masses - just show up. But remember that we have to close off the church when we reach 250 people in attendance.
2. Wear a mask.
3. Be prepared to receive Communion in the hand.
IF WE REACH 250 PEOPLE AT A MASS, and a person arrives after that, they will be invited to come to another Mass, or they can go to their car and wait, and they will be allowed to join the Communion line at the end of Mass. We are now broadcasting every Sunday Mass on our new low-wattage FM transmitter, at 106.5 FM. You can receive this signal from anyplace in the parking lot of the church.
Communion outside the doors of the Religious Education Building is distributed after the Sunday 9 am Mass for those who do not yet feel comfortable going inside the church.
CONFESSIONS:
Weekdays: 8 am and 5 pm
Saturday: 8 am and 2:30 pm
BAPTISMS, MARRIAGES,SICK CALLS and FUNERALS are all taking place, albeit under the restrictions mandated by the Archbishop and the Governor. Just call the parish office and we will gladly help you with the preparations needed.
PLEASE SHARE ALL THIS INFORMATION WITH THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET!
HOLINESS TIP : The Supernatural Power of Humility, According to the Saints
“Humility drives Satan away,
and cherishes the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit within us,
and for that reason all the Saints–
and especially the King of Saints and His Blessed Mother–
have always esteemed the grace of humility above all other virtues.” St. Francis de Sales
LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE:
- So in retrospect, not a single person in 2015 got right the answer to the question "Where do you see yourself five years from now?"
- Because of Covid, for the first time since 1945 the National Spelling Bee has been cancil..... cancul..... cansel........ It's been called off.
OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Today is the feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. This is one of his famous prayers.......
Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.
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
No Comments