March 23, 2020
Video: Pastor's Corner - Church updates March 23, 2020
St. Ignatius Writes Us a Letter
(Belgian Jesuit and author Nikolaas Sintobin has written a letter from heaven with what St. Ignatius would have to say to us about this pandemic. It contains some very good Jesuit advice)
 
Heaven
24 March 2020, Earth time

Dear people on Earth,

I see you’re having a hard time finding the right attitude to the coronavirus. That’s not strange.

Over the past few decades, science has made such progress that you have come to believe that a solution to every problem can be found in no time.

Now it’s becoming clear all over the world that this is an illusion. For many of you this is quite confusing.

I myself struggled with chronic illness for over thirty years. As Superior General of the rapidly growing Jesuit order, I was confronted with all possible and impossible problems day in and day out for fifteen years.

I would like to give you five tips through these difficult times. They are taken from my own experience.
 
1.   At the time of this coronavirus, obey the doctors, the scientists, and the competent authorities as if it were God Himself. Even if you disagree with their decisions or do not understand them well, have the humility to accept that it is worth relying on their knowledge and experience.

It will give you a clear conscience and allow you to make your contribution to the solution of the crisis.

2.  Beware of fear. Fear never comes from God and does not lead to God. Fear often suggests to you all possible reasons why you should be afraid. Much of it is true. Only, you don’t have to be afraid.

The Lord takes care of you now, too. I know that from a well-informed celestial source. Experience has shown that He can write straight on the curved earthly lines. Dare to believe in Him.

3.  In times of crisis you do not benefit less, but more from prayer. Grant it to yourself to indulge in His love. It is the best antidote to fear.

4.  In my Spiritual Exercises I wrote, “Love ought to manifest itself more by deeds than by words.” Look after one another in whatever way you safely can, especially remembering the poor and the vulnerable.

5.   Finally, do not forget to live and enjoy life in all this. Whatever happens, every second you are given is a unique and precious gift. There’s nothing the coronavirus can do to change that.

United with you in everlasting prayer,
The Graces of the Rosary
 
After holy Mass the Rosary is one of the most beautiful and efficacious forms of prayer…. The mysteries recall the whole life of Jesus and Mary and their glory in heaven…. [It] reminds us of how much Jesus has suffered for love of us and teaches us to follow him by bearing the cross which divine providence has sent us to purify us. It takes us finally from our earthly hopes and ambitions and makes us think of the true object of Christian hope—eternal life and the graces necessary to arrive there. The Rosary is more than a prayer of petition. It is a prayer of adoration inspired by the thought of the Incarnate God, a prayer of reparation in memory of the Passion of Our Savior, a prayer of thanksgiving that the glorious mysteries continue to reproduce themselves in the uninterrupted entry of the elect into glory.

A more simple and still more elevated way of reciting the Rosary is, while saying it, to keep the eyes of faith fixed on the living Jesus who is always making intercession for us and who is acting upon us in accordance with the mysteries of his childhood, or his Passion, or his glory. He comes to us to make us like himself. Let us fix our gaze on Jesus who is looking at us. His look is more than kind and understanding: it is the look of God, a look which purifies, which sanctifies, which gives peace. It is the look of our Judge and still more the look of our Savior, our Friend, the Spouse of our souls. A Rosary said in this way, in solitude and silence, is a most fruitful conversation with Jesus. It is a conversation with Mary too which leads to intimacy with her Son.

  • For a guide on "How to Pray the Rosary," click here.
 
Father Garrigou-Lagrange (+ 1964) was a Dominican theologian who produced numerous books and articles. He was the theology doctoral advisor of the future Saint John Paul II.
An Opportunity...
Dear Friends, 
 
Catholic Charities is continuing to serve our neighbors in need with dignity and respect during this crisis. Our colleagues are working together to provide essential services in a way that is safe for them and for others. 
 
As this crisis continues, we know that more of our neighbors will find themselves in need both now and into the future.  You can help . 
 
As we transition to grab-and-go meal service to feed thousands each day who are hungry, your financial gift is the most effective and immediate way to help them through the weeks ahead. 
 
Just $8.59 supplies 2 nutritious meals each day. See how to give at www.cc-md.org/covid19 . 
 
We will also gratefully accept donations of bread, peanut butter, jelly, deli meat, sliced cheese, bottled water, brown bags, and sandwich bags. If you have relationships with organizations or businesses whose supplies might otherwise go to waste, we will accept those donations as well. 
 
Food donations, including casseroles, may be dropped off at Our Daily Bread, 725 Fallsway, Baltimore, MD 21202 any day before 4 p.m. Food will be distributed across Catholic Charities’ family of programs, as needed. Please contact  helpnow@cc-md.org  or 667-600-2023 to coordinate delivery. 
 
Thank you for your support as we work together to continue our mission to provide care and services for our neighbors during this challenging time.  

With gratitude, 
Chief Development Officer 
Catholic Charities 
Missing You All...
In this time of fear and uncertainty...here's a simple message we're sending you!
Video: "I Wish You Love" - by 6 year old Miumiu
A Reflection & Resources
When I’m Social Distancing I Need Christ: Resources to Finding God During the Coronavirus Pandemic

In the saga of national emergencies there was always an outlet. Locations to release tensions and fears. Places to escape and find momentary respite from the real. Spaces to process and understand the world at hand. You see it in movies sometimes. People running to the church to pray in the trenches, searching for hope and meaning, peace and comfort. However, in this moment of our history, where people would seek solace, tenderness and mercy, those doors have been closed. All for the safety of the community, indeed, and yet the void is quite felt. Where do we turn for accompaniment, for direction, for some sense and meaning in the confusion? 

We have put together a list of resources that could aid your discovering God’s presence through virtual communities in a time of social distancing. It’s not an exhaustive list, and perhaps these links will lead you to more outlets to engage your faith, to lean in closer to Christ, and to find God in all this mess.  CLICK HERE FOR LIST
A Call...
COVID-19 and Our Opportunity

by David Schuman

As we isolate ourselves from others physically, it’s easy to cut ourselves off in other ways, too. “Flatten the curve” can become a pretext for fearful and selfish self-preservation. The run on toilet paper illustrates this. In panic, people are hoarding as much as they can get their hands on, as if toilet paper even has anything to do with a virus. But if we all bought only the recommended  two-week supply of essentials , there would be no shortage. Fear and isolation can lead us to be concerned only about our own interests. 

But Galatians 6:10 tells us, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” 

We have a tremendous opportunity in this time. The need is great. Instead of looking only to ourselves and our family, let us reach out and serve others. However, this crisis is unique. Nancy Wartik  writes in  The New York Times , “In many crises, people quickly come out to lend a hand. With coronavirus, however, we are being told to keep our hands to ourselves.” 

So how can we help? Here are six ways.  READ MORE
A Response...
Help for St. Ignatius Parishioners Who Have Needed to Self-Isolate

In light of the current and growing COVID outbreak in Maryland, we're quickly reaching a point where vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with compromised immune systems or respiratory problems, will have to strictly self-isolate for their own protection. For these people, something as simple and necessary as going to the grocery store or the pharmacy could pose serious health risks. To help support and protect our community, Saint Ignatius is organizing an effort to assign healthy volunteers to offer weekly grocery and pharmacy deliveries to our vulnerable parishioners. Volunteers will partner with an at-risk household or individual who will send a weekly grocery list. Volunteers will pick up their partner's groceries and medicines and deliver them to their home. Partners can use payment applications like Venmo or Zelle to reimburse volunteers.  If needed, volunteers and partners can also provide moral support through phone calls and text messages if people are living alone or have a limited support network.

If you are someone who would like to volunteer,  click here  and we will contact you to go through the details.

If you are someone who has needed to "self-isolate,"  click here  and we will contact you to determine your needs.
A Thank You...
Worship with Offerings and Liturgy
POOR BOX 
This weekend's Poor Box support goes to support the Vulnerable Families in Crisis.
MASS MUSIC   
Attached is the listing for the music selections at next Sunday's 10:30 Mass.
(No listing until Masses resume)