The Solemnity of St. Joseph
March 19, 2020
Dear OLM Family:
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the patron of the Universal Church. Plagues have a long history in Europe, and when Christians were in the midst of such a crisis, they often turned to St. Joseph. Beyond asking for his powerful intercession, many Christians would make personal consecrations to St. Joseph, offering to him their entire lives in hopes that they and their families would be spared from the plague. While proper medical attention should always be sought, as well as following instructions given by our government authorities, Christians throughout the centuries highlight the need for prayer to be included in our response to the current pandemic.
St. Joseph teaches us to trust God in all circumstances and place our lives in his hands. Joseph must have realized that he too had a special part to play in the history of Salvation. He obeyed without hesitation, and with joy. Joseph let go of his own plans and put himself entirely at the service of Jesus and Mary. No spoken word of his is mentioned in the Gospel only mention of him being a kind, hardworking, just and generous man.
On 19th March 2013, in a homily he gave during the Mass inaugurating his Petrine ministry, Pope Francis said that “Joseph is a ‘protector’ because he is able to hear God’s voice and be guided by his will; and for this reason he is all the more sensitive to the people entrusted to his safekeeping. He can look at things realistically, he is in touch with his surroundings, and he can make truly wise decisions. In him, dear friends, we learn how to respond to God’s call, readily and willingly.”
This morning Fr. Barrow and I celebrated Mass in the Franciscan Convent Chapel with our good sisters. We offered Holy Mass for you and your families asking for the powerful intercession of St. Joseph, the Protector of the Holy Family. On this feast day, I was reminded of the words of St. Joseph of Marello, an Italian bishop of the 19th century who founded the Oblates of St. Joseph. The good saint tells us: “Be in good spirits under the fatherly mantle of St. Joseph, a place of safest refuge in trials and tribulations.”
How can we remain in “good spirits” in such a time of uncertainty and anxiety?
Well aside from the fact that we were able to get some zeppoles from LaSalle Bakery today, there is much that might keep us in good spirits. First and foremost, the cause my “good spirits” is the tremendous response by our OLM Parish and School Staff to the current crisis. Their commitment, professionalism and hard work are to be highly commended. Also the great cooperation of all our RE and school families now living under the new reality of distance learning is a source of “good spirits.”
My “good spirits” are also supported by daily prayer and the daily celebration of the Mass. In these times, we must respond with faith not fear as we choose prayer over panic. Let us remain firm in our faith, hope and love of God and our neighbor.
Many of our school and parish families have contacted me asking how they might help especially with our elderly and shut-in parishioners. We are organizing outreach efforts to ensure those who need food supplies or medicines are able to get them. We provide food at our OLM Food Pantry to those who need food. We looking for volunteers to help make grocery store and pharmacy runs and deliveries for those who cannot leave their homes.
What can you do to help?
First, pray daily! Pray the Rosary as a family daily. Make a Spiritual Communion daily. Pray for the many who are sick and suffering and for the many healthcare workers who serve them. OLM Church remains open for private prayer for most of the day into the evening, we encourage you and your family to stop by and spend some time in private prayer. We just ask that while in the church people maintain safe distance (6 ft.) from one another.
Secondly, if you have any extra non-perishable food items please place them in the OLM Food Pantry bins located in vestibule of the Church and on the front porch of Mercy House. We are running low on food as donations have fallen off over the last few weeks. If you would like to directly donate financially to OLM Outreach so we might purchase more food and assist with rental, utility and medical costs for those in need, I ask that you please do so online through Parish Giving. This can be done by clicking the Parish Giving link on the parish website (www.olmparish.org).
If you are under the age of 60 and would like to volunteer to deliver food to those who cannot leave their homes or to shop for those who cannot leave home, please contact Doug Green, OLM Outreach Director, at outreach@olmparish.org or by phone at 401-884-4410.
I ask that you also please check on your elderly family, friends and neighbors with phone calls. Many are living in isolation and no doubt a heighten sense of fear and loneliness. A phone call or a visit (at least 6 feet away) greatly aids the lonely and isolated. I check on my elderly neighbors, Sister Jeanne and Bishop Evans daily! They are doing very well!
If you have any neighbors or family members who are in need of food or other items, please let Mr. Green know how OLM Outreach can assist them. We have a supply of Stop and Shop gift cards to help those who are in need of assistance in addition to the food in the OLM Food Pantry.
The Coronavirus Pandemic has led to incredible financial hardship for many people and businesses. If you are able, I encourage you to order take-out or delivery from our local East Greenwich restaurants. Over the years many of these local businesses have been very generous in their support of OLM Parish and if you can help them in their time of need, I urge to please do so.
If you or your family are suffering any financial hardship due to the current economic crisis, please contact us at the OLM Parish Office. I know that many business are laying off employees and small businesses are closing. If we can assist you with any financial concerns, please let me know.
At OLM School and Parish we continue to pay all our employees their normal salary during the crisis. Our school faculty and parish staff continue to work on a daily basis. Our OLM Maintenance Staff are working overtime to ensure the school and church are thoroughly cleaned and remain hygienic. I thank them all for their continued dedication to our school and parish community.
This is truly a unique Lent for all of us. Like our Lord we are in the desert and like him we are learning to hunger for our neighbors, our families, and most especially for the Eucharist. Please be assured of our prayers for your safety and health.
Here at OLM we have been moving swiftly to try and adopt to our current situation and to ensure that parishioners are served materially and spiritually. We are in the process of equipping the church with live streaming so we can post the Mass online on our website or through another suitable program (e.g. Facebook Live, Youtube, etc.).
Fr. Barrow, Fr. Connors and I are readily available for Sacramental emergencies, to talk with anyone in crisis or to hear Confessions. We have been responding to those who are gravely ill with the Sacrament of the Sick and are hearing Confessions at the regularly scheduled times or anytime by appointment. If you need to speak with anyone of us, please call us at the Parish Office at 401-884-4968.
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tell us, “Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid!” (Mark 6:50). Like those who have gone before us in faith, the apostles, martyrs, and saints we are all called to boldly lead not only in response to people’s material needs, but to care for their even more important spiritual needs. With our prayers, let us remain in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters who are suffering and sick and for those who care for them.
Please know of my continued prayers for you and your families as I humbly ask for yours. With joyful anticipation, I look forward to the day when once again we can be joined together at God’s Holy Altar as a family of faith to celebrate Holy Mass. What a joyous and glorious celebration it will truly be!
I leave you with these beautiful words from Pope Francis in response to the Coronavirus. I found great hope and comfort in them, and I think you will too. Our Holy Father said:
“Tonight before falling asleep think about when we will return to the street. When we will hug again, when all the shopping together will seem like a party. Let us think about when the coffees will return to the bar, the small talk, the photos close to each other. We think about when it will be all a memory but normality will seem an unexpected and beautiful gift. We will love everything that has so far seemed futile to us. Every second will be precious. Swims at the sea, the sun until late, sunsets, toasts, laughter. We will go back to laughing together. Strength and courage!"
Our Lady of Mercy, pray for us!
Father Healey