From the Pastor’s Desk,

We find ourselves in the glow of the Easter Candle for the 50 days after Easter, even though that glow is seen on line, through streaming and videos.  Lent ended very quickly and strangely this year, perhaps before some even knew it had begun.  Our secular society was rushing after whatever would sell next in the stores and then our economy shut down.  Stay at Home and be safe was hard for all of us, young to old.  For those who are so tied into a secular life only, it has been extremely hard, but so often in the news we hear of people talking about their faith and their strength coming from God. For those I believe they/we will come out stronger from the experience of the last month and half.  It has given us time to pause and reflect on what things are most important; family, faith, even our own health.  The Catholic Church has continued to celebrate the Resurrection of our savior. 

Christ walked the earth following His resurrection, appearing and strengthening the apostles and disciples for their mission ahead.  Within the liturgy of the Catholic Church we relive those events of Jesus’ life.  We do not know what the new norm will be in the months ahead as the restrictions are loosen, how we will work, how we will play, how we will worship.

This pause time has given me time to think about our parish and our needs now and into the future.  Among those things I am looking at: will our fundraisers still happen?  Will we be able to bring bingo back together?  Will Fr. Joseph be transferred and a new priest be assigned? Do we need the number of Sunday masses we have had or should we restructure our schedules for the best use of our resources of people?  Should we proceed with planning for a Parish Center?  Will our school enrollment decline due to people losing their jobs?  The need to restructure office/school personal due to people retiring or moving.  Will the summer youth programs still happen?  The list goes on and on.

All of this some days makes my head spin, and then I have to take a step back and remember this is God’s Church and He will help solve the problems.  But one thing I am certain we will not return to life as usual.  I want our Cathedral filled with people gathered about the Eucharistic Table, but safely.  It may mean no books only printed music or screens, knowing that people using their phones at mass are reading the Scriptures, no communion chalices, it might mean we need to fog the Church with the special virus killing disinfectant after the masses, or only once a weekend.  Please keep our Parish, Diocese, Church in your prayers as Fr. Joseph and myself remember you daily at the Altar.

Thank you for all your positive comments on our streaming of Masses, Vespers and Benediction and my class on Tuesday and Thursday.  A big thank you to all of you who are mailing in your contributions or using on line donations.

~Rev. Lewis Hejna