Memo from Msgr. Raun - Friday, August 7th, 2020
| My dear family, Greetings in the Lord Jesus! WAYS THAT COVID SHOWS HOW DESPERATLY THE WORLD NEEDS GOD Only God Knows Our Future We have learned to rely on predictions--trusting in the weather forecast, the economic forecast, the stock market trends (which always bounce back, right?), rising and dropping interest rates, political polls, even predictions of coming natural disasters like hurricanes. But our predictions are guesses at most. We still don’t know how to predict the future. We can still get blindsided by poll results that didn’t pan out. A year ago, even six months ago, no one could’ve predicted we’d experience a global pandemic, a ban on international travel, a national and global lockdown and a sudden plummet of the best economy this nation had ever seen. No one could have predicted the government would prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people at a time, preventing graduation ceremonies, weddings, funerals, and every type of religious service in the country. And yet, God knows the plans He has for us. And those plans are “for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). I need that hope right now. And I can’t imagine a tomorrow without the presence and promises of God. There is much peace and certainty in being able to say “God, no matter what happens, You hold my future securely in Your hands.” The world, at large, needs that kind of hope right now, too. EUCHARISTIC EXPOSITION IS TAKING PLACE THIS VERY MOMENT and will continue until jest before 6 pm Mass, concluding with Benediction. Benediction will be lived-streamed on our parish website and app starting at 5:30 pm tonight. REMEMBER : THE LOCATION FOR COMMUNION OUTDOORS AFTER THE 9 AM SUNDAY MASS will be to in front of the doors of Fr. D'Arco parish Hall. MONDAY NIGHT BIBLE STUDY : For the month of August, Fr. McKee will be teaching on the 4th (and I think, most beautiful) section of the Catechism : Prayer. These teaching will unlock the meaning of this precious gift. Every Monday night at 7 pm - you can view it on the website or the parish app. They will also be saved so that you can watch it later in the week. AT OUR SCHOOL: This morning I had Mass for the faculty and staff of our school. I had the opportunity of thanking them for the wonderful way they switched to on-line teaching "on the turn of a dime" in the spring. And I was so impressed by the optimism and enthusiasm they now show as we enter this new school year, which will be a hybrid of on-line and in-person teaching. They are all doing a lot more work, for their same old modest paychecks! Our parish school, despite the limitations the virus is putting upon us, is still an excellent and faith-filled educational experience for our kids. OUR ELDERLY: This week I have gone on quite a few sick calls. My heart is breaking for many of our elderly parishioners. Some are alone, and many are scared - indeed terrified - to leave their houses. Many who live in senior-living centers - including my father and Archbishop Sheehan - are safe and well provided for, but are living in great isolation, unable to eat or freely mingle with their fellow residents. In short, they are depressed. Of course, pray for them. But try to call them, do little things for them to brighten their day, and, if safety allows, visit them. Growing old is never easy, and this virus has made it a lot harder for many of them. We, the Family of God, need to make it a point of honor to care for our elders. 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 Fr. D'Arco Parish Hall 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 “The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.” (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE: The biggest lie I tell myself is, "I don't need to write that down, I'll remember it." I don't have gray hair. I have "wisdom highlights". If God wanted me to touch my toes, he would've put them on my knees. OUR PRAYER FOR THE DAY: being First Friday, a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus... May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere. Sweet Heart of my Jesus, grant that I may always love You more. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Your love for me. Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I give myself to You through Mary. Sweetest Jesus, hide me in Your Sacred Heart. Do not permit me to be separated from You. Defend me from the evil foe. 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
Thank you Monsignor your encouraging words. And if course your happy thoughts ! Wish my toes were on my knees ! Funny be well Miss not seeing you or Dad at mass but do enjoy every Sunday via my TV .