Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
These last weeks have brought home to me how much I miss all of you. It has been both sad and consoling to celebrate Mass without you: sad, because you were not there, but consoling, because I know that the Lord makes Himself present to each of us as the Holy Sacrifice is offered for all of you and your intentions.
Life at the Parish
There have been several emails, posts, website updates and various communications in the last few weeks as situations keep evolving rapidly. For the time being, most normal events of our parish remain canceled in order to prevent risk of spreading the novel coronavirus.
This is the first time that the public celebration of Mass has ever been suspended – along with the dispensation of Sunday obligation – on such a scale, and including Holy Week. While we are not physically together during these holy days, I encourage you to continue to pray as a domestic Church: to pray especially for those who are suffering from the virus and any illness, for those who are isolated, anxious and even fearful, for those who have lost loved ones or have family members who are ill, for those who assist and care for the ill – doctors, nurses, volunteers, caregivers, janitors, etc. Pray for and with your families and for your neighbors and their families. Follow the celebration of Mass as you can on our
YouTube channel, StPetersKC; other liturgical resources are listed on the diocesan page,
https://kcsjcatholic.org/coronavirus-updates.
Our parish will continue to look for new ways to reach out. Please let us know of anyone who might need assistance, both spiritual and material.
One area that I need to address directly with you is our financial situation. As you know, we only operate and keep things going because of your generosity. We very much need your help now. If you are able, please continue to support the parish with your contributions. You may send them in via regular mail or on-line at our website. If you are not able to help at this time because the impact of the virus has disrupted your own
livelihood, I understand. In fact, I would like to know so that our parish can support you. And thanks, again, for your past and any future contributions.
As for when public celebration of the Mass, devotions and group meetings will resume, it is uncertain. For the time being, please stay home and take care of yourselves. We will pray with you and for you; please let us know of your specific prayer requests.
I pray that this period of trial will bear good fruit for each of our families and that we might be strong intercessors for all who are ill, lonely, exhausted from work, worried about what comes next or struggling in any way. In other words, may God work a
purpose out of this chaos and may we be ready servants of the Lord.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Matt Rotert
