Dear Friends in Christ,
This email comes with the assurance of my daily prayers for you and your loved ones in this challenging time. I write with an update on parish operations and ministry as we implement the “Safer at Home” mandate.
Beginning today, our facility is closed to public access. As I write those difficult words, I feel it so important to follow them with the reassurance that our
ministries continue to be active in the virtual world online!
If you haven’t already,
please visit our Ministry During Distance
area of our web site or “Like” and follow our
Facebook Page
to stay connected.
The good news is that we have been able to smoothly enact a continuity of operations plan. Our staff have dutifully answered the call to convert their ministry efforts to remote work, and for the days ahead, only staff who are related to critical operations will be on site. We have front office support in place to process mail, respond to calls and manage financial business, we have technology support available to respond to staff and student issues, and our facilities crew will be on site to make sure the building stays operational and to provide security.
You may also be aware of
Archbishop Listecki’s announcements
yesterday regarding his guidance for liturgical celebrations in the coming week. In cooperation with our Governor’s latest directives, our Archbishop has made the difficult decision to cancel all public celebrations of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter. While this deeply saddens us all, we will be streaming those celebrations here at St. Anthony’s. So, please join us online!
Perhaps, the greatest lesson we are learning from all this, is that the church is not just a building… it is the people of God. WE are the church that is being summoned to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus! And while we mourn this temporary loss of not being able to gather… for prayer, for fellowship, and for the grace of the sacraments, this does not mean we stop being church. As we receive Jesus in spiritual communion, we can learn to be Eucharist without walls. We can pray for our health care providers. We can support and follow the directives of our leaders. We can donate to those who are struggling to make ends meet. More than ever, as we hunger for Jesus in the Eucharist, we must become Eucharist for those in need. We must remain resilient and persistent in the Gospel mandate that calls us to abide in His love, and to share the hope of the resurrection to all who feel like they are dying. This is who we are. This is what we profess. This is what we believe. Now, we must live it!
On our end, we will continue to reach out in new and creative ways in the days ahead. Your faith family continues to be here, living, committing seeking and serving, across the distance, united in prayer and in solidarity with all those who are suffering. Though our Easter joy may be delayed by distance, there will be such great joy when we are able to come back together as one body of Christ. I look forward to that day with great anticipation.
Blessings,
Fr. Tony
