25 March 2020
Solemnity of the Lord’s Annunciation
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
During these most difficult days you have all been in my daily prayers and have been remembered in the Mass which I am celebrating every day except Saturday in the Basilica. My fervent prayer is that you are staying well and that all of our children will be kept safe.
The orders from His Excellency Bishop Joensen are still in effect and will be until further notice. We will follow carefully what His Excellency has asked of the diocese and of each parish. The Sacred Triduum will be celebrated in full and will be televised on our website. The schedule will be as follows:
I will celebrate Mass privately on Easter Sunday and so it will not be televised. You may watch the Vigil at that time in case you didn’t see it on Holy Saturday.
You are encouraged to increase your private prayer time and prayer time with the entire family during these trying days. There is the holy rosary, novenas and many other spiritual activities that are possible. As you watch the televised Mass you can make a spiritual communion. This should make us all long for the day when once again we can physically gather as a community. In the meantime, we are united as one family around the altar in the Basilica when Holy Mass is offered.
I want to sincerely thank all those who have begun making financial sacrifices online as well as those who are mailing in their donations. Our income is presently half of what it normally is and so I ask all of you to continue your giving to meet the demands of the parish.
The parish staff has been cut back due to financial concerns. The duties of Margaret Voss have been assumed by Barb and Karen. The parish office is still open from Monday through Friday. We are now down to just one maintenance person, Thang Dinh. Jenifer Parsons and Margaret Stastny are down to a few hours a week as are the organists. The heat has been shut off as well. All of this will help to minimize our expenses for the time being.
May we stay united during this time of suffering with the sufferings of our Lord during these final days of Lent. Whatever cross the Lord sends us must be carried so that we may arrive at the glory of Easter. May he continue to bless and console each and every one of you.