Be Sensitive to Those Around You
Perhaps you noticed, there were many more people at last weekend’s masses. That is good. And it presents a challenge for us to accommodate everyone maintaining social distancing. We need your help on this.
I have asked the ushers to help more in finding places for people to sit. If you are coming with people you know and feel comfortable around them, then please feel free to sit together. This weekend we will attempt to have two communion lines. That means walking up the aisle but be sensitive to people around you. Know where you are walking in relation to others. It is ok to pause in midline to let someone go first. Coming up to receive the Lord is a time of reflection and offering and reception. It is also an act of charity for others. And remember we have it livestreamed downstairs in the basement.
Bishop has also suggested that if people know the first verse of a hymn, they can sing quietly with their mask on. We can start the sign of peace but when the priest says, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” And you respond, “And with your spirit.” You can take time to wave or acknowledge those around you. The new term is to smile with your eyebrows. We are not trying to rush anything but acknowledge how we participate in the liturgy adds to our prayer in the mass. We can do these things respecting those around us.
And we have some events coming up. The Cluster Mission is March 7 through the 10th. Each evening there will be confessions available from 6 to 7 PM. At 7:00 PM there will be a presentation with a question/answer period. The theme this year is on prayer. We have people who share their witness of how prayer has developed and is being used in their lives and their families. This will be followed by evening prayer for those who would like to learn for the first time or learn to go deeper into the Liturgy of Hours or just understand how the book works. By 8:00 we will wrap up. All sessions will be at St Joseph.
Holy Trinity is proceeding forward with their Curbside Spring Dinner. We encourage everyone to please make reservations, so we have some idea of how to plan for food. The date is March is March 14, starting at 11:30.
Our Lady of Lourdes is also planning a spring dinner for April. More details coming out soon.
We are moving ahead cautiously and carefully. We want to keep everyone safe. Wear your mask, wash your hands, and social distance are still the best things to do.
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen