On Divine Mercy Sunday, the Sunday following Easter, Bishop Paprocki will lift the special dispensation Catholics have from attending Mass during the pandemic. However, if you are over 65, or at risk because of medical conditions, or are caring for someone who is sick or homebound, or a woman who is pregnant, you still have the dispensation. If you come to Mass and the church has reached its capacity (25%), you are dispensed for that day. If you are currently ill or have fever or flu-like symptoms or if you think you might be contagious, you are not only automatically dispensed, but morally obliged not to attend. If you do not fit in any of these categories, but are still anxious of becoming ill by attending Mass, you may contact me, your pastor, and I can dispense you.
This is the first step we are taking in our efforts to get back to normal. Masks and social distancing are still required and the 25% capacity still stands. These will be lifted only when public safety can be assured. Like many of you, I look forward to the day this will be possible. My responsibility to keep the church as safe as possible is something I take very seriously. Through consulting and using best practice methods, our parish has done well. I realize the inconvenience it may cause, but appreciate the consideration you have shown your brothers and sisters in the Lord. Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter.
I want to thank all who donated to Ethan Short’s Eagle Scout project to permanently install live-streaming equipment in Blessed Sacrament Church. The response has been tremendous and because of this generosity we will be able to include a few upgrades. Having the ability to livestream has been a genuine blessing during this pandemic. Parishioners and others have been able to watch a quality video of the Sunday Mass. Installing the equipment permanently will eliminate the wires and camera stands that can obstruct the view. It will allow others to view the Mass from outside locations, such as the gym or cafeteria, or from home. Even after the restrictions are lifted, live-streaming services will allow us to handle overflow crowds at Christmas or Easter holidays, Confirmations and First Communions, graduations, etc. It will allow families unable to travel to Springfield for weddings or funerals to still be a part of the gathering. It may also attract a curious person to find out more about our faith and our worship. It is a valuable way to get the message of Jesus Christ out to the world.
Keep in mind, watching the livestream is not the same as being present in person. Even with communion services that allow one to receive communion, attendance in person is important and preferred. We hope that soon all will be able to return; however, for the time, this is not possible. Some have health risks. Others are caring for someone with risks. Others are still not comfortable in large gatherings. At the present time, we are allowed 25% or about 140 per Mass. With four Masses, that is still less than 600 people or less than 12% of our parishioners; and even with this smaller number it is still hard to maintain social distancing and safety measures to protect all. There are currently about 100 parishioners still coming to a communion service after viewing Mass online.
I also want to thank all those who are doing their part to make the church and Mass safe for others. Sanitizing our hands, keeping social distance and wearing masks when in close vicinity to others may seem like small (and irritating) things, but let’s face it, would you want a doctor or staff to ignore these measures if they are operating on you? The corona virus can be transmitted through the moist vapor of our breath. It is airborne. Christian charity teaches us to forego our own comfort and desires for the sake of others. After all, Jesus sacrificed his life for all of us. I have seen many examples of our parishioners putting the needs of others over themselves. I wonder how many lives they may have saved. Such charity is one of the requirements of discipleship. My prayer is that others will be inspired and encouraged by these examples and Blessed Sacrament will be a shining example of how to love our neighbor during these difficult times. Again, thanks for all you do.
Father Jeff
This column is meant to be relaxing or perhaps to sharpen your wits. It was sent by Fr. Al McMenamy, a brother to Alma Mandeville.
There are 30 books of the BIBLE in this paragraph. Can you find them? This is a most remarkable puzzle. It was found by a gentleman in an airplane seat pocket, on a flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu, keeping him occupied for hours. He enjoyed it so much he passed it on to some friends. One friend from Illinois worked on this while fishing from his john boat. Another friend studied it while playing his banjo. Elaine Taylor, a columnist friend was so intrigued by it she mentioned it in her weekly newspaper column. Another friend judges the job of solving this puzzle so involving, she brews a cup of tea to help her nerves. There will be some names that are really easy to spot. That’s a fact. Some people however, will soon find themselves in a jam, especially since the book names are not necessarily capitalized. Truthfully, from answers we get, we are forced to admit it usually takes a minister or a scholar to see some of them at the worst. Research has shown that something in our genes is responsible for the difficulty we have in seeing the books in this paragraph. During a recent fund raising event, which featured this puzzle, the Alpha Delta Phi lemonade booth set a new record. The local paper, The Chronicles, surveyed over 200 patrons who reported that this puzzle was one of the most difficult they had ever seen. As Daniel Humana humbly puts it, “The books are all right here in plain view, hidden from sight.” Those able to find all of them will hear great lamentations from those who have to be shown. One revelation that may help is that books like Timothy and Samuel may occur without their numbers. Also, keep in mind that punctuation and spaces in the middle are normal. A chipper attitude will help you compete really well against those who claim to know the answers. Remember, there is no need for a mad exodus; there really are 30 books of the BIBLE lurking somewhere in this paragraph waiting to be found.
(If two books have the same name, you count it as two.) Be careful! Good luck and enjoy.
Last week, our finance council met to review the annual report. Our fiscal year at Blessed Sacrament runs from July 1 through June 30. I think the council (and the pastor) were rather nervous about the report due to the havoc that the corona virus has played on our finances. Up to the time that parishes were closed for weekend Mass, our parish was running even with the previous year. However, the 4th quarter (April-June) was a disaster. Regular church support dropped $135,000 that quarter leaving us with a 10.2% decrease for the year. Other sources of revenue were also down, including fundraisers, athletic income, parish organizations, etc. Overall, the total income for Blessed Sacrament decreased $279,000 or 7.3% from the previous year. The good news (?) was that expenses were also down $180,000 or 4.7%. Most of this can be attributed to the fact there were no major repairs on our buildings. Even so, the deficit ended up at $135,000 or the amount lost in regular support.
We did receive some funding from the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) that allowed for us to pay salaries while the church was closed and, where we had savings to cover our loss, our big concern is the budget for the coming fiscal year 2020-21. Will our income return? What extraordinary expenses do we have? Is there anything more we can cut? Despite the uncertainties surrounding how schools will be allowed to reopen, contracts still had to be signed and have to be honored. There are some necessary repairs to the school that cannot wait. This includes repairs to half the roof ($200,000) and to the brick on the west side of the building ($63,000). To put these off will only add to the expense in the long run.
Projecting income is difficult and much depends on the local and even national economy. Some reports say that up to half the population has lost income due to the pandemic. I realize many are unable to help financially at this time. But I want you to know the parish is struggling too. This past year we gave the school about $800,000 to meet its budget. We have always considered it one of the best investments we can make.
We are indeed planning to return to school on August 17th. We have been working on a plan and it is ready. We will release it after the diocese releases their plan. This way there will be no inconsistencies and therefore, fewer changes that will need to be made. Please know that for me and our staff the bottom line is safety. We will do all we can to keep students and staff safe. We will not take shortcuts or make decisions that might put one’s health in jeopardy.
These are challenging times and we have not been here before. I ask your patience and support. If you are unable to contribute, I understand. However, if you can help out, please consider doing so. It is a good investment in the future. Our budget contains only what is necessary to provide for the spiritual needs and education with the quality that our parish is known for. My gratitude is there for all who have helped and my prayer is that we will meet this challenge together.
Father Jeff
This weekend we welcome into our faith, Mike Collins and Stephanie Pansch. Since both are already baptized Christians, they will make their profession of faith, be confirmed, and receive Eucharist for the first time in the Catholic Church. Originally, both were scheduled to be received during the Easter Vigil back in April, but due to the “shelter in place” restrictions it had to be postponed. Permission was recently granted by the bishop to proceed with the initiation. Pentecost seemed to be the perfect day to celebrate this coming of the Holy Spirit. It was on this day that the power of the Holy Spirit entered the hearts of the Apostles and not only gave them understanding, but courage to proclaim the good news by their words and deeds. The Acts of the Apostles states that on the day of Pentecost over 3,000 people were added to the number of believers. Mike and Stephanie continue that tradition as they profess their faith and receive that empowerment of the Holy Spirit in Confirmation. Since it is not possible to celebrate in the context of a gathering of the parish, we will do so at our weekend Mass that will be livestreamed. In the near future, we will have two more to be initiated. Neither of them has been baptized so their initiation will include baptism, as well as confirmation and Eucharist. In the meantime I ask you keep them all in your prayers as they enter the Catholic faith and the Blessed Sacrament community.
One thing worth noting by this celebration is that despite the precautions and restrictions placed on our worship by the pandemic, the church continues to grow. It reminds us that this growth is not simply what we do, but rather what God does. He is the primary cause for its growth. The present situation presents challenges, but cannot and will not stop the faith from spreading. The message of Christ finds a place in the hearts of those searching for a deeper meaning of life. This is good news. It is encouraging to see that God is still opening the hearts of the faithful to hear the Word and to act. Do we hear God’s word in these unusual times? Have we seen the works of His hand? God is still doing remarkable things in our midst.
People want to hear the Gospel. People want to be inspired by spirit-filled people whose hearts are on fire. The church needs people who act selflessly and generously in the face of difficult obstacles. The Feast of Pentecost reminds us that you and I are called to be these witnesses.
May the Spirit live in your heart today.
Father Jeff
This past Sunday we began a process of resuming public worship by holding communion services throughout the diocese. It is the first step that will eventually lead to the opening of churches for Mass. Here at Blessed Sacrament we offered communion from 9:30 to 10:30 am and again from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Despite the rain, we had around 240 people come to receive communion. Everyone brought masks and observed the rules of social distancing. Ushers were in place to help direct traffic and hand out umbrellas while people waited for their turn. They approached the entrance to the school in small groups where they were greeted by the priest and led in a short prayer service. They received communion and closed with a prayer and blessing. It took about five minutes. Another group then approached and the service was repeated. For the most part everything seemed to run smoothly. We plan to do it the same way this coming weekend. The times will remain the same (9:30 am to 10:30 am and 11:30 am to 12:30pm.) My hope is that in a few weeks we will be able to attend Mass in the church. I know that most of us certainly look forward to that time.
Sometimes we don’t know what we have until it is no longer there. Celebration of Mass, reception of the sacraments are things that too many of us took for granted. Suddenly they were not there and many began to realize something important was missing. This loss even brought some to tears. I remember the same thing when I was at the refugee camp in Africa. Because of violence and unrest, many had not been able to attend Mass or receive sacraments for quite some time. When they could finally go again, their response was not anger, but tears of joy. Maybe this pandemic will give us a new appreciation of what Jesus has given us. Jesus is not something we can take when we decide we want him. He is a gift. We neither deserve nor earn him. Letting Jesus control our lives can give us a new way of living in a world that we cannot control. It gives us a destination. It gives us someone to trust. If we find ourselves angry and upset at the things we cannot control, now would be the time to renew that surrender to Christ.
As the church struggles to get back to “normal”, this would be a good time to re-examine the treasures of our faith. Do we appreciate the word of God and listen to it regularly? Do we cherish the sacraments and receive them frequently? Do we see the needs of others and respond generously? For these are gifts from God to bring us peace of heart. The day may come when we are unable to find these gifts. Instead we will see unhappiness, frustration, and anger. Please don’t wait until then. It may be too late. Now is the time to seek God’s peace.
Father Jeffery Grant
I am happy to announce that, beginning this weekend, parishioners will be able to resume receiving communion. This is our first step in a process which we hope will soon make public Mass possible. Sacraments (especially Eucharist) are an important part of our faith life and as the community begins to reopen this first step will allow for this reception of Christ in Holy Communion.
Having said this, I want to make sure it is done in a safe and reverent way. The current crisis is far from over and therefore how we do this will not be “business as usual.” After consulting both medical and religious experts, there is agreement that this crisis presents a serious threat to the lives of many. As Catholics who are called to respect all human life, act responsibly in the manner you conduct yourself. First, keep in mind that you have a general dispensation from attending Mass and receiving communion until further notice. Therefore, if you are not feeling well or you have health issues that put you or others at risk, please stay home. A spiritual communion is valid and has been long recognized as the means of communicating when one does not have access to the Eucharist. No mortal sin is committed if you decide it is best for you or your family not to attend.
Please note that the priest, deacon, or minister will be masked while giving out the sacrament and will follow strict hand sanitation to help keep everyone safe. The Federation of Diocesan Liturgical Commissions (FDLC) advises that receiving in the hand is the safest way to receive communion. The medical community is for the most part in agreement. Our local epidemiologist told me the highest concentration of coronaviruses is found in the saliva. Therefore, for the time being, I ask you receive in the hand.
As your pastor, my concern is to distribute communion in a safe and reverent manner. We will evaluate after Sunday and continue to consult with those who are most knowledgeable in these areas. As things improve, hopefully we will see another step when we can gather in church for Mass. From all indicators, I am sure this will be a gradual process that will take time.
I am grateful for the patience and perseverance that so many of you have shown during this challenging time. I am also well pleased by the stories I hear of parishioners who have sacrificed to help others. This is the type of charity Christ calls us to do. I encourage all to practice charity to your neighbor as well as pray for the sick, their caregivers, those out of work, and all affected by this pandemic. I also encourage you to worship with us by watching the parish Mass on our website. Come to communion if you are able and above all, keep safe. Your health and the health of others is a gift from God. Treat it with the utmost respect. Please know you are in my prayers as we go through these challenging times together.
Yours in Christ, Father Jeffery Grant
Be happy. Be healthy. Be holy. Someone asked me about this little phrase that I have used when talking to parishioners at the end of Mass. “It sounds a little sugary, Father, considering the problems we face.” I certainly don’t mean it that way. I really mean it as a wish and prayer for each parishioner during these difficult times.
Be happy. It is hard to be happy when the future seems uncertain. We have lost many things. We cannot go out to eat. We cannot go to the barber or beauty shop. We cannot easily travel or take a vacation. We cannot go to Mass. There are many things we have lost and if we focus on that, I can guarantee we will be unhappy. But I also know that when Jesus was crucified, the disciples were unhappy. They had lost the most important thing in their lives—or so they thought. When he rose from the dead, they began to realize he had never left them. He was very much alive and their joy became something no one could take from them. That is the kind of happiness I want you to have. I want those who are worried and unhappy to discover that.
Be healthy. Sometimes we get tired of taking care of ourselves, let alone the lives of others. However, one of the greatest gifts God gives us is our body. As Christians we believe this body will rise on the last day. You cannot separate it from our soul. Reckless behavior that damages our bodies is immoral and indifferent behavior that puts others needlessly at risk is also immoral. The danger of the coronavirus is that there is yet no vaccine to protect us. All we have are pro-active measures to help prevent it from spreading. My prayer is that each of us may receive the physical and emotional stamina to do what it takes.
Be holy. Some say self-preservation is the strongest instinct we possess. When push comes to shove, it is natural to choose oneself. However, it is not always the case. Humans are known to make sacrifices for those they love. Jesus died on the cross because his love for us was greater than the debt of our sins. Holiness is based on this love. It is selfless rather than selfish. Holiness is not about praying or studying scripture or theology as much as it is about giving of ourselves. My prayer is that we will never grow tired of giving—even when we think we have run out of things to give.
We face difficult times. People’s health is at risk. The fragile economy was not as strong as we thought. Unemployment is high. Emotions are raw. It seems we have lost many things. Yet, Jesus is still alive. We have not lost him. We are tired. We need strength so as not succumb to the physical or spiritual symptoms of the coronavirus. This disease has the power to kill not just the body but the soul as well. Finally we have the opportunity to shine as true disciples of Jesus. Gold is tested in the fire. Living a life of trust, charity, patience, and self-sacrifice in difficult times is the sign of true holiness. So my prayer for each of you remains: Be happy. Be healthy. Be holy.