Dear Parishioners:
The Second Coming by Gustave Dore
I trust you survived the minor earthquake last Sunday morning! It occurred just as Fr. Barrow finished proclaiming the Gospel at the 9:00 AM Mass. The final line of Matthew's Gospel last Sunday was: "Therefore, stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour."
In 2020, a year of pandemic and social unrest, many suggest it's a sign of the end of times. But I don't believe it is, I think it’s just a coincidence. Perhaps a timely reminder for us to zealously heed the Lord's call to stay awake morally and spiritually. We must prudently keep our lamps full of faith, hope, and charity, especially in a time when they are needed all the more.
In the early 1900s, The Times of London newspaper posed this question to several prominent thinkers and authors: "What's wrong with the world today?". The well-known Catholic author and apologist, G.K. Chesterton, responded with just one sentence: "Dear Sir, I am. Yours, G.K. Chesterton."
His witty reply is startling and unexpected, but certainly illustrates the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus Christ. Chesterton took to heart the words of Saint Paul to Timothy: "This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Of these, I am the foremost."
“The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works.” -St. Augustine
Chesterton was allowed to point the finger of blame at anyone he could conceive of, to address any issue he felt was pressing on his society, and to speak to the sin that plagued his culture. He chose to humbly and directly address the plank in his eye. Perhaps Mr. Chesterton's wise words might lead each of us to examine our conscience and admit our sins and weaknesses. And where we've been sinful and weak, seek to change and convert our lives more fully to Christ.
We can then confess our sins on Monday night at Confessions at 6:00 PM. Once again, two Dominican Friars join us at OLM for Monday Night Confessions. What an excellent opportunity to seek the Lord's generous mercy and forgiveness and renew our commitment to Christ. Once we do this we begin to set our world on the right path.
Sanitize your hands. Wear your mask. Keep social distance. Worship God!
I wish to express my deep gratitude for your continued cooperation with the COVID-19 guidelines for worship. Regularly washing and sanitizing hands, wearing face masks properly, and keeping social distance in Church work in our Catholic parishes. However, I do kindly urge continued vigilance in not forming small social gatherings outside of Church after Mass.
With your cooperation, and relying upon God's grace, and the assistance of our parish patroness, Our Lady of Mercy, we hope and pray the pandemic along with its restrictions might end soon. In the meantime, let's keep the faith and follow guidelines as we worship our Lord and Savior at Mass.
Last week the New England Boiler Works Company installed new boilers in both the Franciscan Convent and Mercy Convent. They were chosen after a bidding process and completed the project in one day for a cost of $16,400. This project resulted from your generous support of the Grateful for God's Providence Capital Campaign.
In the name of Sister Emma, Sister Lourdes, and Sister Jeanne, I offer my sincere thanks for your generosity. Without our capital campaign, this project and many others during this time of pandemic would not be possible. I know the good Sisters are pleased to have more efficient heating as the cold winter days approach. Thank you again for your financial support.
The Art of Thanksgiving by Norman Rockwell. 1942
Like many families, my own family is discussing how we might celebrate Thanksgiving now that there are new limits on the size of gatherings. Also traveling out of state poses a problem. These restrictions are impacting how and where families celebrate Thanksgiving.
Therefore, it is likely to be a different holiday celebration in 2020, but remember that no matter how or where our family celebrates Thanksgiving Day, we must give thanks to God for our blessings and express our gratitude for the bounty we enjoy! St. Theresa of Avila reminds us: “In all created things discern the providence and wisdom of God, and in all things give Him thanks.”
Stay safe. Be Well. Do Good! God Bless.
y