19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners,

    I am sure there are many questions that we have regarding the COVID outbreak. As a pastor it is a great challenge to try to keep up on all the latest information.  Some concerning news that I have heard is that those who are vaccinated can carry the virus and spread it.  Another disturbing piece of news is that the Delta virus can spread to other people in as little as one minute.  It does not take 15 minutes as with the original strand of the virus.  People who are unvaccinated are much more in danger of hospitalization and death than those who are vaccinated. 

What does all this mean regarding our parish activities?  What it means is that it would be safest if we all would wear masks when we gather indoors. At this point, we will probably not be requiring people to wear masks, but it seems like if some people do, and some don’t the benefits of mask wearing will be greatly reduced. If things don’t change and numbers keep going up, we will probably have no choice, but to encourage a return to masking at church.  We now will be asking people to wear masks again when they come to our office.  If you forget your mask, we will have some available for you.

I realize that the science around the virus is fluid.  COVID  is an insidious disease that morphs into new forms all the time.  Contrary to popular believe science cannot solve all problems instantaneously.  Only God knows all things.  Events in our world are reminding us how vulnerable we are.  We now know what people felt decades ago when many diseases threatened humanity every day, when people did not know how infections spread.

Out of misfortune often comes opportunity.  Perhaps there will be a thirst for God that will grow out of the present crisis and a new humility on the part of all.  We can only hope.

May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you.

Fr. Mark