4th Sunday of Lent (A) | Mar 22, 2020
Dear Students,

I wish I were seeing you all in person, but the current reality we face precludes that. It has been interesting seeing the ways many of us, including our pastors, have found to stay connected and continue to express our faith in this time of social distancing. St. Mary's is offering live-streamed Masses and drive-through Confessions (more info below). I've been offering daily reflections on our YouTube channel . And I continue to receive emails, texts and phone calls from students. Please know that you are all in my prayers and I remain available should any of you need me.

I have written an article on our blog this week about observing Lent in these different circumstances.

This Sunday's gospel tells of Jesus restoring the sight of the man born blind. In my video reflection I talk about what this means for us in terms of spiritual healing.

In my last email I mentioned that I hoped to offer Adoration in our chapel on Tuesdays and Thursdays at our usual time of noon until 1:00 pm for students who remain on campus (limited to no more than ten people in the chapel, spaced six feet apart). I will do so this Tuesday, but will not be able to on Thursday so that I may participate in the noon live-streamed Mass from St. Mary's.

Finally, this coming Wednesday, March 25, is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord . My family and I will be live streaming a rosary and Solemn Vespers on the campus ministry Facebook Page starting at 7:00 pm. More information below. We hope you (virtually) join us!

In Christ's Peace,
Deacon Matt
The dorms are closed. Classes are all on line. Public Masses are cancelled. The CDC says to avoid gatherings of more than ten people and not to get within six feet of each other when we do. Most of us are currently looking at a lot of time at home, either alone or with our families, depending on our living situation. But it’s still Lent. So how do we “do Lent” in this era of social isolation?
View Live-streamed Masses from St. Mary's
Father Coleman is live-streaming Masses on St. Mary's Facebook Page on the following schedule:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 12:00 noon
  • Saturday at 9:00 am
  • Saturday Vigil (Spanish) at 7:00 pm
  • Sunday at 11:30 am

You can watch the Mass live in real time, or view the video any time after the Mass has ended. Many other parishes are similarly broadcasting Masses on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media outlets. Check with your local parish to see what they have available!
"Drive-Through" Confessions
In the era of coronavirus, priests are having to get creative to make sure the faithful still have access to the sacraments. One way many parishes are offering the sacrament of reconciliation is by offering "Drive-Through" Confessions. Priest are setting up tents in church parking lots so that people can offer confessions from their cars to maintain social distancing.

Father Coleman will be in the St. Mary's parking lot from 5-6 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday for any who need confession. Check with your local parish to see what they have available!
Wednesday, March 25
The Annunciation of the Lord
Live-Streamed Rosary & Solemn Vespers

March 25 is the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. Our campus ministry chapel is named in honor of Our Lady of the Annunciation, so this is a very special day for us. As we are unable to be together in person, Deacon Matt (and family) will be live-streaming a rosary and Solemn Vespers (Evening Prayer) from the Annunciation Chapel on March 25 starting at 7:00 pm on our Facebook Page .

We will expose the Blessed Sacrament for Adoration beginning at 7:00 pm, followed immediately by the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. We will begin Evening Prayer at 7:30pm and conclude with Benediction.
Catholic Campus Ministry at WCU
Deacon Matthew Newsome, MTh, campus minister
828-293-9374