There are many unknowns right now because of the impact of the Coronavirus. We have begun the month of May and many traditions of May such as graduations, Mother's Day, First Communions of children and Confirmations of teenagers will probably not go on "as usual" this year. Some will be rescheduled and happen in a future month; some will happen differently than usual. My family has started using Zoom to get many of us together with my mother as we see each other on our smart phones and laptop computers and talk about whatever is on each other's minds that we think will be interesting to everyone in the group. I am assuming right now that this will be the means that her nine children will connect with her on Mother's Day though some of us will be seeing her in person. We will "do what we have to do" to keep our connection with each other in these difficult times.
What about our connection with the Blessed Mother Mary in the month of May? While many keep that connection going all the time by praying the rosary, there are some who only own a rosary and keep it in their pocket or in a convenient place, but infrequently, if ever, move along the beads from start to finish and mediatate on the great mysteries of Salvation history that come to us through Jesus Christ.
I hope this special Month of May, traditionally known as the "Month of Mary," at a time when almost all of us have more time than usual due to the restrictions that come from the Coronavirus, will pick up the rosary and begin to use it in your personal life or family life at least a few times a week or more often than that. I know my godmother, who gave me the precious gift of a promise to pray the rosary at least once a day for my intentions as a birthday gift, has rediscovered the power of this prayer opportunity and looks forward now to praying it at least once a day. If you have a chance to watch the movie "Power in My Hands" which gives wonderful testimonies as to what, praying the rosary has meant to some famous and some not so famous people, I urge you to do so. I would hope that EWTN would show it a number of times in the month of May.
Finally, now that we have resumed Eucharistic Adoration on a limited basis in our church (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EVERY DAY) I am hoping our regular adorers most of whom, thankfully, have pledged to keep the hour they normally have done before we suspended Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will begin their hour in this month of May praying the rosary quietly or if others are present, out loud with them responding to the prayers. We need the guidance, protection, and intercession of the Blessed Mother always and during these difficult times we are experiencing now. Please consider doing this on your own and see if you can experience and then give witness to the power of the rosary in your hands in the month of May and hopefully continuing for months and years to come!
What about our connection with the Blessed Mother Mary in the month of May? While many keep that connection going all the time by praying the rosary, there are some who only own a rosary and keep it in their pocket or in a convenient place, but infrequently, if ever, move along the beads from start to finish and mediatate on the great mysteries of Salvation history that come to us through Jesus Christ.
I hope this special Month of May, traditionally known as the "Month of Mary," at a time when almost all of us have more time than usual due to the restrictions that come from the Coronavirus, will pick up the rosary and begin to use it in your personal life or family life at least a few times a week or more often than that. I know my godmother, who gave me the precious gift of a promise to pray the rosary at least once a day for my intentions as a birthday gift, has rediscovered the power of this prayer opportunity and looks forward now to praying it at least once a day. If you have a chance to watch the movie "Power in My Hands" which gives wonderful testimonies as to what, praying the rosary has meant to some famous and some not so famous people, I urge you to do so. I would hope that EWTN would show it a number of times in the month of May.
Finally, now that we have resumed Eucharistic Adoration on a limited basis in our church (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EVERY DAY) I am hoping our regular adorers most of whom, thankfully, have pledged to keep the hour they normally have done before we suspended Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration will begin their hour in this month of May praying the rosary quietly or if others are present, out loud with them responding to the prayers. We need the guidance, protection, and intercession of the Blessed Mother always and during these difficult times we are experiencing now. Please consider doing this on your own and see if you can experience and then give witness to the power of the rosary in your hands in the month of May and hopefully continuing for months and years to come!
The term "social distancing" is being used by many people because of the concern (I hate to use the word fear) of getting the Coronavirus which, as we know is very contagious. It is something that seems to be necessary to do now to combat and hopefully to help eliminate this health threat to people all over the world. The term "social distancing" does, however, have some negative connotations and consequences if it leads us to pull back from and even isolate ourselves from other people. To do so is to go against and deprive ourselves of the blessings that come when we let others into our lives and when we enter the lives of others. Our Lord's coming into the world, among other things was a great message from God that said and says: "I want to come closer to you, and assure you every day that you are not alone."
As we just recently recalled the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma 25 years ago, we are reminded of the sometimes deadly impact of evil but also what can, and sadly does happen, when someone (in this case Timothy McVeigh) lives a solitary, isolated life that in this case led to such a heartless act against innocent men, women and children which sadly we have seen over and over again in other places (including schools like Columbine and Sandy Hook). Some are obviously affected and impacted more than others by the practice of social distancing and even isolation in the face of the threat posed by the Coronavirus. For all of us, however, it is an opportunity to draw closer to others if not in physical space, but in caring for and about one another (especially those who are on the margins of society who had little if any cushion to deal with the effects of unemployment which have struck so many people). It also affords us the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord as an individual and in our family situations, including our faith family.
That is why I am so happy that starting today (Tuesday, when I compose my pastor's column) we are resuming the opportunity for us to come to the Lord and be physically with him and hopefully also with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ in our second home, the Church, as we have daytime prayer, reflection and adoration with Jesus present for us in the Monstrance from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EVERY DAY of the week. It is not Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (which I hope we resume sooner than later) but it is call to come to the Lord to receive the strength that only he can give and the strength that only he can give and the strength that comes from connecting with one another (at a safe distance) and praying for ourselves and others, especially those who are sick or even dying from the Coronavirus as well as those who have died and their families who are in mourning.
As we gaze on Jesus and look at the Easter Candle, we are ever reminded and encouraged by the reality that he is "THE LIGHT" that overcomes the darkness of isolation, sin, and death and calls us to our final destiny, to live forever in HIS presence AND the company of the saints. What a wonderful time it truly is to REJOICE in the Risen Lord who is FOREVER with us. ALLELUIA!
As we just recently recalled the bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma 25 years ago, we are reminded of the sometimes deadly impact of evil but also what can, and sadly does happen, when someone (in this case Timothy McVeigh) lives a solitary, isolated life that in this case led to such a heartless act against innocent men, women and children which sadly we have seen over and over again in other places (including schools like Columbine and Sandy Hook). Some are obviously affected and impacted more than others by the practice of social distancing and even isolation in the face of the threat posed by the Coronavirus. For all of us, however, it is an opportunity to draw closer to others if not in physical space, but in caring for and about one another (especially those who are on the margins of society who had little if any cushion to deal with the effects of unemployment which have struck so many people). It also affords us the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord as an individual and in our family situations, including our faith family.
That is why I am so happy that starting today (Tuesday, when I compose my pastor's column) we are resuming the opportunity for us to come to the Lord and be physically with him and hopefully also with some of our brothers and sisters in Christ in our second home, the Church, as we have daytime prayer, reflection and adoration with Jesus present for us in the Monstrance from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EVERY DAY of the week. It is not Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration (which I hope we resume sooner than later) but it is call to come to the Lord to receive the strength that only he can give and the strength that only he can give and the strength that comes from connecting with one another (at a safe distance) and praying for ourselves and others, especially those who are sick or even dying from the Coronavirus as well as those who have died and their families who are in mourning.
As we gaze on Jesus and look at the Easter Candle, we are ever reminded and encouraged by the reality that he is "THE LIGHT" that overcomes the darkness of isolation, sin, and death and calls us to our final destiny, to live forever in HIS presence AND the company of the saints. What a wonderful time it truly is to REJOICE in the Risen Lord who is FOREVER with us. ALLELUIA!
One of the hard and harsh realities of the effects of the Coronavirus and the restrictions that have been imposed to slow the spread of the virus until it abates, is that when people are dying these days, the family is not in position to plan a normal funeral for their loved one, but instead have their loved one buried or interred and a formal service (or for Catholics a memorial Mass) be scheduled when the situation is such that people can gather for such a service. At this time we have had the deaths of parishioners, Ralph Zelhofer, Marshall Garrison, Ed Cudworth, Rosemary DiMayo, Tom Geraci and most recently on Easter Sunday, Jeff Giedt. The inability of much of the families of these parishioners to come here now as well as the parish family not being able to come to church for a funeral Mass to offer comfort to the family is both challenging and difficult for them. They (the deceased and their family members) certainly need our prayers and support at this time. I encourage you, even if you did not know these departed parishioners to consider sending a card or note of condolence to one of the immediate family members. The following are mostly local and their addresses are in the pictorial directory or on our parish website www.hsvsacredheart.com: Mary Zelhofer (wife), Evelyn Garrison (wife), Judy Geraci (wife), Arlene Giedt (mother), Mark Dimayo (son) at 43 Alicante Way, HSV and Chris (daughter of Ed Cudworth) at 1480 W. Barrows Road, Hastings, NE 68901. As most all of us have more time on our hands to do some things that are not normally on our schedule, this corporal work of mercy is one way we can help someone who is hurting to know that they and their deceased loved on are in our thoughts and prayers.
For those with computers, consider sending a note to a resident at Good Samaritan's Nursing Home. Go to www.good-sam.com/hsv, look for the "Send a Note" in the box with the header "Good Samaritan - Hot Springs Village," click on SEND A NOTE and enter your kind and encouraging words and make sure you select "I am not a robot" before hitting the SEND button. We have parishioners Frank Kulas, Bob Lasher, Don Pilz, Jean Palazzotto and Rusty Winters living there now. You may also send your note with the heading "Resident" or "Friend" and your note will be read to someone there who needs cheering up.
We have a chance to "Be Christ" to people who are in need in various ways and I encourage you to reach out during this Easter Season to these and other people who need to know that they are loved and remembered in this difficult time.
For those with computers, consider sending a note to a resident at Good Samaritan's Nursing Home. Go to www.good-sam.com/hsv, look for the "Send a Note" in the box with the header "Good Samaritan - Hot Springs Village," click on SEND A NOTE and enter your kind and encouraging words and make sure you select "I am not a robot" before hitting the SEND button. We have parishioners Frank Kulas, Bob Lasher, Don Pilz, Jean Palazzotto and Rusty Winters living there now. You may also send your note with the heading "Resident" or "Friend" and your note will be read to someone there who needs cheering up.
We have a chance to "Be Christ" to people who are in need in various ways and I encourage you to reach out during this Easter Season to these and other people who need to know that they are loved and remembered in this difficult time.