Lay Network Update -  

 

We will not be having a CCCR Board meeting this month because of the COVID-19 crisis. We can save lives by following the isolation/safe distancing guidelines from the medical specialists and infectious disease experts. Stay home and make this Easter season transformative for you and your family.

Survey

We want to give you a heads up on something that came to our attention. We received a large envelope in the mail entitled 2020 Catholic Voter Registration Confirmation & Presidential Preference Ballot put out by Catholic Vote. This piece of propaganda frames the Democrat Party as the "Anti-Catholic Party" and paints Democratic leadership as "anti-Christian and anti-patriotic." The survey proceeds to ask leading questions that are dishonest. There are no questions regarding compassion for the hungry, the poor, the homeless, or the sick. It is misleading and manipulative and we would be greatly disturbed if we knew our archdiocese supported this organization or organizations like it.            

This survey came out in the early stages of COVID -19 in the United States, so a lot has changed in just a few days. The economy has taken a tumble and unemployment is going through the roof. Most of all, the challenges of health care have reached the crisis level. President Trump is not responsible for this corona virus outbreak but his response was, at times, less than helpful and forthright. The results of dismantling those pesky CDC regulations and costly pandemic preparation structures are hitting us hard and the price we are now paying is astronomical.

In the midst of this pandemic, our lives may feel like they are unraveling and out of control, not unlike the lives of the followers of Jesus during the first Holy week. We watch TV and see sick people on gurneys rushed to emergency rooms, and people in ICUs struggling to breathe - all carefully attended to by the "helpers" on the front line. Holy Week readings remind us that there were also "helpers" on the road to Calvary. Near the end, faithful women watched and shared in Jesus' sorrow and suffering, even to his final breath. Like the disciples, we might feel helpless and afraid and run to our isolated upper rooms, not knowing what will happen next and wondering if it will ever end. Let us open our hearts to our suffering Jesus, his sorrowful mother and grieving followers. Let us also unite with the people around the world who are sick, have lost a loved one, a job or sense of security because of a corona virus that is out of our control. Pope Francis encourages us to honor our suffering and sorrow, so with a human, vulnerable lament, let us sing, "My Lord, what a Mourning."

Many countries and cities on our planet are now on lockdown and for those of us at home, we have been given the gift of quiet time. We can seize this opportunity to reflect on what is really important. It is a time to realize the beauty of all creation and a time to examine how we treat Mother Earth and each other. It's all connected. Do not be afraid. Transformation and Resurrection are at hand.

Lord, help us.

CCCR Board

Nancy Gotto - Chair

952-451-6947