Dioceses have canceled Masses or dispensed the faithful from their Sunday obligation because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. We too at St. Cecelia’s have cancelled all Masses and Parish activities. Parishes are empty, and they may be for some time to come.
This does not mean that parish life is suspended; in fact, parish life may be more important now than ever. If anything, our responsibility to each other and especially the most vulnerable among us is heightened. People are going to get sick, the elderly are particularly at risk, many will feel lonely and overwhelmed. We need parish life. The parish is the stable community of the faithful. The parish is a place and a people of Communion, formed by the Eucharist. Communion is the remedy to suffering and loneliness. It is the Lord sharing everything with us so we can learn to share everything with each other, to bear burdens together, to suffer and love together.
But if we cannot gather together in our parishes during this pandemic, what can we do? How do we participate in and practice Communion? I’ve got an idea. Reach out to at least five people every day, especially those who you know are in need of your attention, and the elderly. Please make the call on behalf of yourself and our Parish, St. Cecelia. You may end up calling people who have not been active in the parish for years, or who left because of some grievance. Most people will probably say thanks and never ask for anything. Some may not be so receptive. That’s OK. Because you, a real person, let them know they could depend on their parish community, if they did need something. But for some people, this might end up being their lifeline. When they don’t know what to do, they will call you. When they need a community, when there is no community, they will call you. When they need hope, they will call you. And because they called you, a real person, the parish can be a source of life. If they are in need of anything, please call me at the church number. I am here to help you out. In case of a severe outbreak, I am forming a task force of young people, 20 to 50 years of age, to bring food or provisions to those in need.
It is important to stress that this is a personal connection, not a program. Our parishes have enough programs. What we need are stronger personal connections. Communion is nourished through personal bonds. That is a fruit of the Eucharist.
We will live broadcast one of our daily and Sunday 11:00 am Holy Masses on our website,
www.stcecelia.com and our Facebook page, St. Cecelia Iselin. Please watch and participate in the Holy Masses. The Church is open every day from 7 am to 4 pm any time feel free to come with your family to pray. I will live broadcast the Friday evening Eucharistic Adoration, Holy Mass and Stations of the Cross. I will ask you to form a prayer place in your house. There you should all gather together in times of Mass and every evening to pray together. This is a very difficult time. We can get over it if we trust in God and come together in faith and love.