Father Tom's Response to Coranvirus (COVID-19)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 

To say that the previous week has been a whirlwind is an understatement! These are certainly challenging and unprecedented times, and news, plans and communication change literally by the hour. As your pastor, I want to give you an update about our parish’s approach to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the schedule here at the parish, information about future communication from me, and, most important, some spiritual direction for this time.

 

Parish Schedule

As pastor I have decided, in accordance with the guidelines from the Archdiocese regarding COVID-19, to suspend all non-sacramental activities in the parish through at least March 31. Effective immediately, the only activities allowed on campus will be daily confession at 7:30 AM, with daily Mass at 8:00 AM (Tuesday-Friday), Eucharistic Adoration from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM on Thursdays, weekend Masses at their usual times, and the Monday morning Communion Service at 8:00 AM. All other events, meetings and groups are being put on hold for the time being. The parish calendar has been updated to reflect this through the end of March. 

 

The school also has suspended all activity, and in fact students haven’t been in class since before Spring Break began on March 9. Principal Dan Hurley has been doing an amazing job with his staff, pulling together a “distance learning strategy” that involves a combination of online and text-based work that can be done from home, which the students will begin this coming Monday, March 23. He is taking advantage of the empty space to do a deep-cleanse and sanitization of the entire school building. Please respect the signage and do not enter the building unless specifically authorized by myself or Principal Hurley until further notice.

Please note: Per the previous communication from Archbishop Hebda (which you can find on our website), he is granting a dispensation to all Catholics within the Archdiocese from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass. If you are sick, please stay home. If you are not sick, please prayerfully discern whether it is prudent for you to attend Mass.

If you do choose to come, please follow the "social distancing best practices" as laid out by the CDC and MDH: Maintain 6 feet from your neighbors, and wash your hands regularly throughout the day.

The parish staff also will be adjusting their office hours, working from home as much as possible. I will communicate the new Parish Office schedule within the week. Staff will be checking both email and voicemail, so please contact us with any questions. Of course, we will be smart and safe in any decision to resume activities here at Saint John’s and will follow the direction of the Archdiocese.

Again, things are constantly changing, so this is our plan as of today, and it might be different tomorrow. We are working to keep everyone as up-to-date and informed as possible, and appreciate your patient support.

 

Upcoming Communication

I am committed to continuing to offer you regular communication during this challenging time. My plan is to send out a newsletter each week (scheduled for Saturdays), though I will communicate any pressing matters as needed. Additionally, these updates will be posted on our website. I am aware that not every parishioner has signed up to receive these newsletters or makes use of the Internet; please pass on the details of these communications with all those you know who might not have received it.

 

Spiritual Direction for Troubling Times

The physical needs of our days are deep--many are sick and need our support. In the midst of all this, I believe that the greatest need within humanity is spiritual. In times of great tragedy or calamity, we all come face-to-face with the realization that we are not in control. This is an uncomfortable awareness at best, and left to our own thinking can lead to despair, hopelessness and a frantic fear. Our God desires to speak into the midst of this storm a word to each of us; He offers us His Word--Jesus Christ. Jesus desires to be close to us at this time. He desires to offer hope where there is only despair, to offer peace where there is anxiety and to offer joy where there is fear.

I want to recommend the following practices to help experience Jesus coming close to you despite all that is going on around us:

• Day of fasting and prayer - tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18 (see https://www.archspm.org/covid19/ for more information)

• Participate in the Mass, if not in person, then remotely through

  • Radio - Sundays, 9:00 AM on Relevant Radio (AM 1330)

  • TV - Sundays, 11:00 AM on KSTC-TV/45

  • Online - see listing at http://www.catholictv.org/masses/catholictv-mass

• Pray the Rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet

• Read Sacred Scripture

• Pray the Liturgy of the Hours

• Make an Act of Spiritual Communion (see https://www.archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/prayer/catholic-prayers/act-of-spiritual-communion/ )

 

My dear friends, this is indeed a unique time, and we are faced with vast changes to our daily and weekly routines. We are having to give up so very much right now--it certainly is a Lent we will never forget! Let us take these moments to allow the Lord to come near to us and to respond to His invitation for a deeper relationship with Him. May the Lord keep us safe and protect us, may He bring healing to all those who are ill, and may He never cease to draw us to Himself.

Peace,

Father Tom Balluff, pastor