My dear friends in Christ,
Pentecost will not be about an arrival on the 50th day of Easter, but rather the journey toward it and beyond. Anxiety, separation, questions about our future as a society, have consumed our days. We grieve our losses—people, jobs, ceremonies, community and Mass. We long to return to our familiar way of life. And yet, this time of incredible pause has brought with it transformative opportunities of the liturgy at work in our lives– a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist and one another, startling awareness of what and who is broken, time to think, learn, listen and reconsider. That has been the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Today we pray one of two obligatory sequences of the year—a hymn, sometimes referred to as the “Golden Sequence.” Whatever form our song takes, may we experience the Holy Spirit’s protection, healing, and transformational power in our lives.
We are awaiting word for when we can re-open our Church for Mass. We are looking at how we can livestream Mass from our own Church. I am grateful to Father Dan Gowen for allowing us to participate in his livestream Mass from Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish as we continue to work together in Cohort #1. I have received an inquiry regarding an outdoor Mass. This would require much planning and volunteer help. We would also have to account for weather conditions. I thank you for your generosity in continuing to send in your donations and envelopes.
May God bless you all,
Father John