April 2, 2020
Thursday of the 5th Week of Lent
Dear Parishioners:
Praised be Jesus Christ!
In my years as a priest, I never thought the day would come when, as a Church, we would need to cancel all public Masses, public prayers/liturgies, events and gatherings of more than ten people.
The faith we share is a communal faith. Like a “good” virus, it spreads from people to people. Now, however, we need to protect ourselves and those who are most vulnerable from this new (novel), dangerous, life-threatening Covid-19. This means that we must hunker down, keep ourselves physically distant from one another and take the necessary precautions to prevent ourselves from getting this virus and/or spreading it to others.
How can we keep our faith strong during times like this? Do not be afraid! We must remember that throughout history, God never abandoned His people:
- When the Jewish people were enslaved in Egypt – God rescued them.
- When Israel was devastated by Babylon. When Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed and the people were exiled in a foreign country, God never abandoned them. When external signs of God’s presence (like the temple) were gone and the people felt alone, God upheld them.
- At the Cross, when all seemed lost, Jesus died … but three days later He rose from the dead!
- When the disciples were ridiculed, tortured and put to death, a new Church was being born on the faith of those early martyrs.
- Throughout our history, the Catholic Church has survived persecution, disease, famine, and abuse.
God is with us! Do not be afraid. We are all in this together!
During these days of uncertainty, I want you to know that I am still offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day, for your intentions and for your safety during this pandemic. I am also here to assist you in any way possible, and I will do my best to meet your individual needs during this time. Holy Communion to the sick and dying who request it will be available, as well as the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation on an individual basis. My phone works if you need to call me, and do not hesitate: 605-421-8557. We are not allowed to distribute Holy Communion outside of Mass (other than to those who are sick); if we could do this, we would be celebrating public Mass.
Please use this time to draw close to Jesus in prayer, silence, reflection and meditation. If you have children, please pray with them and exercise patience. All this isolation and social distancing will pass … and we can become better, stronger and more faithful if we use this time to grow closer to God. We are never alone – the Saints and Angels accompany us! God will never abandon us. Watch Holy Mass on television and make a Spiritual Communion (please see the attached prayer sheets for prayers for making a Spiritual Communion).
THE SACRED TRIDUUM LIVE STREAMED: Beginning next week, the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum will be live streamed from our parish church on YouTube. You can access the various liturgies, which I will celebrate in our church without a congregation, by way of our parish website: www.salemcatholic.org. Click on the blue box that says, “Sacred Triduum Live Stream” and it will take you to the various liturgies. Continue to click on each one you would like to watch. Even if you cannot watch the liturgies of the Sacred Triduum on YouTube, you are asked to pray at home at the scheduled time, and thus unite yourself with what is taking place privately in our parish church. The liturgies of the Sacred Triduum will take place according to the following schedule:
HOLY THURSDAY:
10:00 a.m. Tenebrae and 7:00 p.m. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper
GOOD FRIDAY:
10:00 a.m. Tenebrae and 3:00 p.m. Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion and Death
HOLY SATURDAY:
10:00 a.m. Tenebrae and 8:00 p.m. Paschal Vigil
EASTER SUNDAY:
10:00 a.m. Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection
THE SUNDAY OFFERTORY COLLECTION: Being unable to have public Masses means that we are unable to have the offertory collection, which our parish relies on for revenue to pay our bills and meet our expenses. If you are able to financially, I ask that you consider mailing in your offertory donation or dropping it off at the parish office. For those who would like to go to the bank and set up automatic with drawl, I have attached a copy of the form you will need. Those who already participate in automatic with drawl for their weekly offertory gift will attest to its ease and convenience.
EASTER DUTY: Please be assured that you have until Trinity Sunday (June 7th) to fulfill your Easter Duty of confession and Holy Communion. As soon as the ban on public services is lifted, I will schedule extra times for the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, or Darlene in the parish office, if we can be of any assistance to you. In the meantime, be assured of my prayers for each one of you, especially in my Divine Office and daily private Holy Mass.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Martin E. Lawrence, Pastor