“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles”
(2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4a)
Dear STL Family,
WOW! Can you believe today, Friday, Sept. 25th marks the 28th week since the COVID-19 Public Health Order took effect! For us, Catholics, this has been like the longest lenten-like season -- a long journey through the desert wherein we've been challenged, tempted, and tested as our ordinary day-to-day lives have been disrupted. Many of you have shared your lenten-like experience during this pandemic as a time to consider the deeper meaning of life; having to find ways of starting over again just to live again, knowing it will probably never be the same as before. Nevertheless, these 28 lenten-like weeks could be a hopeful reminder that our "Easter" resurrection is in our future.
As I've shared with you before, our primary task is to keep our commitment to staying connected and keeping our parish alive and thriving. Employing the 'crawl, walk, run' approach in our discernment, I've learned we have only so much foresight, given this supervening pandemic and its effect on our parish financial and human resources.
As you may have guessed, we have been unsuccessful in getting a volunteer person/team to continue live-streaming the Mass at St. Luke. Our Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator, Evelyn Beale, can no longer perform this function as her job scope of our Middle, High School, Youth & Young Adult programs go into full swing beginning in October. Additionally, our current and projected financial budget can't support overtime compensation or a paid position for live-streaming the Mass. Our plan was to discontinue this service after September 26. However, Fr. Ron will return from sabbatical and preside at the Saturday, October 3rd, 5:00 pm Mass. We decided to live-stream that Mass so he could connect with our home viewers. I am very sorry to share this news with you. In no way are we dismissing the fears and concerns surrounding COVID-19. It basically comes down to costs and available manpower. I truly appreciate your understanding. In an effort to allay any hurt feelings, I have attached a list of other video resources for your on-line Mass viewing at home.
Within the next few weeks, we will resurrect our Pastoral Care for the Sick Ministry on a limited basis in compliance with the diocesan guidelines and County Health Order. Upon request, we will bring Eucharist to the homes of parishioners in need. Eligible persons are:
- Those unable to attend onsite in-person Mass because they are physically ill or fall into the category of the most vulnerable population during this pandemic, and their caregivers quarantined in the same household unit.
- NOTE: We are currently eliciting the help of healthy volunteers to join our Pastoral Care Team led by Deacon Jerry. If you are interested, please contact me directly at jane@stluke-ec.org.
I would be remiss in not extending my thanks to Msgr. Rick Duncanson for his 'awesomeness'. As promised, I will share with him all your gracious compliments. For this last weekend of September, Fr. Bill Stevenson, brother of our own Bob Stevenson/Facilities Manager, will celebrate Mass with us. Please join me in welcoming him.
Finally, don't forget to reserve your seat(s) for STL's indoor Mass at our parish website -- thechurchofstluke.org OR look for a separate Flocknote sign-up in your email inbox. See you at church!
With a very grateful heart,
Jane
