Water Cooler Effect
Dear Lord, we praise you for the “water cooler effect” and we miss it during this time of pandemic! Studies have shown that a key to improve productivity at the workplace is less memos and more coffee breaks. I can see that. For example, I think our productivity increases as disciples when we catch up with one another before and after mass. Maybe… even during. We get updates from one another. We learn who needs a prayer. Who is critically ill or who has been laid off. We hear how a devotional or a book has helped someone with their faith. We hear, we take it to heart and we spring into action. We pray more for one another. We perform a corporal or spiritual work of mercy for someone in need. We help out at a parish function. We learn a new prayer style or our spiritual reading increases. We stretch ourselves to move out of our comfort zone.
We put love into action!
God bless the “water cooler effect!” Our faith grows and is accompanied with charitable deeds!
When we think about all that we miss about the Mass, I think the “water cooler effect” is part of the litany of what we miss. We miss seeing faces and catching up. We love helping one another. I like calling the 4:30PM Mass the “Water Cooler Mass” because you see many of our older folks catching up and sharing. Yes, we have technology that can bring us together and thank you God for that. But maybe technology is not as organic. To me, the technology is a little more on the “memo” side and not so much on the “getting together coffee break side.”
It was dear to see the moments after we prayed The Parking Lot Rosary or The Parking Lot Angelus, where folks took a few minutes to share before retreating to their living spaces. So I would like to update you on a few things...
Some of you may have heard our dear friend
Tom Busher
came down with sepsis. Tom was part of our Mourning Glories funeral choir and attended every parish activity he could. Tom went home to God on Saturday, March 27th at 10:55PM. Tom was at Hospice House and Linda was at his side when he went home to God. Tom and Linda are deeply grateful for your prayers. Also,
Tibor Lorik
went home to God, too. You may remember me sharing about trying to anoint him - and succeeding, thank you Peggy Manning! I know Frieda appreciated our prayers. Plus, Jeff Simmons’ father,
Charles Simmons
, went home to God. I know Jeff would appreciate prayers too. Keep up the good work everyone. Be safe and well.
To end on a little humorous note, one of my priest friends that came off of quarantine found that a bunch of rodents made a home in the undercarriage of his car! While quarantined, he didn’t drive or start his car, and little furry creatures chewed up the wires and made a mess.
So, if you have not started your car in while, it might not be a bad idea to check and to run the engine.
God bless and stay safe.
In Christ,
Fr. Steve Breck
Pastor, St. Mary Magdalene
