Dear Parishioners,

Public Masses have been suspended for public health reasons. As much as I know how necessary this is, I can’t help but to be saddened by this decision. I can at least say Mass without a congregation. (After all, we are still obligated to make sure the intentions for the Masses are fulfilled.) But, for the faithful who love the Eucharist so much, this must be a painful experience. The Eucharist is at the center of everything we do and makes us who we are as a Church.

There are times in life where people have to be away from the Eucharist for the greater good. In times of war or natural disaster, people may be prevented to come to Mass without possibly being harmed (like in a bad blizzard or hurricane). Also, medical workers and police officers are often called by duty to help others even if they miss Mass on Sunday. (That’s why emergency personnel are always allowed to miss Mass on Sunday.) When we become ill and might cause others to become sick, it is a charitable act not to bring that disease to others at Mass. And even in the best case scenario, if we live long enough eventually we will be unable to bring ourselves to Church. Even if people are able to come to Mass there are times that they should not receive communion such as if they need to go to confession or did not keep the Sunday fast.

Does that mean that God has abandoned us? No. Whether or not we can worship Him, He is present. Our Lord promises that whenever two or three gather in His name, He is in our midst. Even though we cannot be present at Mass, we can still pray to Him and I hope that on Sunday, you can at least take time to reflect on the scriptures, watch Mass on TV or pray a simple prayer for spiritual communion such as this one: My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

We are very blessed to have Mass as available as it is in our country. There are many parts of the world due to poverty and persecution mass is not available for months at a time. But, after a while we can take the Eucharist for granted. I hope that this experience of Mass suspension will remind people what a gift the Eucharist is and when we return, we may have even greater devotion for it.

God bless!

Father Carter

P.S. We are still having Eucharistic Adoration on Thursdays from 9 am to 9 pm and the Church will be open every day for private