A Word From Your Pastor
1. Please check out the wonderful assembly of prayer, reflection and resources of all sorts for all of us put together by Paul Radkowski and Zachary Ratliff for parishioners and beyond. Go to the parish website, then Liturgy-Sacraments and Music. (See Quite Reflection paragraph below for the link.) Be prepared to find there all the information you could ever need to keep these days of Lent holy especially as we look to Holy Week and Easter. I salute Paul and Zachary for serving us all in this way.
2. If you are looking for a way to be physically close to the Lord in the Tabernacle, I would suggest going to the west end of the Church and meditate there with the Lord on the benches in the Garden. Please maintain social distancing there as well.
3. On the night of the Feast of the Annunciation, I took Paddy to my front porch to get away from the TV for a while and observed the mix of people walking by across the street - all sorts of people. Amidst all the chaos of these days, there was a feeling of peace that night at dusk. I recalled there a beautiful prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe for these days of pain and sorrow. She is the Patroness of the Americas, so let us turn to her now:
A Prayer to Our Lady on the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25)
Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.
4. A word about reconciliation from our Holy Father. There is no need for drive-in confessions. Just follow his advice:
“God is your Papa; He isn’t a judge…I know that many of you go to Confession for Easter to meet with God again. However, many will say to me today: “But, Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because one can’t leave home? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want Him to embrace me, that my Papa embrace me . . . What can I do if I can’t find priests?” Do what the Catechism says; it’s very clear: if you don’t find a priest to hear your Confession, talk with God, He is your Father, and tell Him the truth. “Lord, I’ve done this, and that, and that . . . I’m sorry,” and ask Him for forgiveness with all your heart, with the Act of Contrition and promise Him: “Afterwards I will go to Confession, but forgive me now.” And you will return to God’s grace immediately. As the Catechism teaches, you yourself can approach God’s forgiveness without having a priest at hand. Think: it’s the moment! And this is the right moment, the opportune moment. And Act of Contrition well made, and so our soul will become white as snow. It would be good if today this “return” resounded in our ears, “return to your Papa, return to your Father.” He is waiting for you and He will celebrate you.”
5. I'll have more to say about our observance of Holy Week and Easter in next week's Flocknote. Know that I remember all of you in my daily (private) Mass using the intentions as assigned.
6. Please take advantage of the following prayer in the absence of the Eucharist:
An Act of Spiritual Communion
When we cannot receive Holy Eucharist in person My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen
Online Giving
We are so blessed to have such faithful and supportive parishioners. During this crisis, St. Edward the Confessor will continue to support our devoted employees and hard-working vendors. If you are able during this time, please consider continuing your support of our parish so that we can continue supporting our employees and many small business vendors that depend on these payments.
If you normally donate by envelopes or the basket, we have our Online Giving link available from our parish website. saintedwards.org
You can also mail in a check to: St Edward Church,785 Newark Granville Rd, Granville, Ohio 43023
If you have any questions about your current offertory, you can contact the Parish Office by emailing Cheryl at church@saintedwards.org or calling 740-587-3254. The office is on shortened hours but we continue to monitor email.
We will continue to pray for you and your family's health and safety during this time, and please continue to pray for us. Thank you.
More Scams...
This message was passed on to us from the Diocese regarding the increase in phishing emails:
With more and more of you working from home, I want to call your attention to an increase in the number of phishing emails that are going around. Most of what is being seen is about the coronavirus or COVID-19. They might want to show you the latest map of infections in your area or tell you about how to get tested. They are written in a way to play on your fears and scare you into acting right now! Don’t fall for any of these.
The best plan of action against these emails if you get one it to delete it. Never respond and never click on any link or attachment in the email, if there are any. Be safe and think before you click. I know that you have a lot of things going on right now. One thing you don’t need and can easily prevent is answering a phishing email.
Think. Before. You. Click.
Quiet Reflection
When you have the chance, please view the resources for praying at home on the music section of our parish website. There are daily reflections from parish staff, recordings by our parish musicians, photo galleries from our church and grounds, and links to other resources. They are wonderful when you need a quiet, prayerful moment just to be still.
Week 4: Are Catholic families supposed to be different? What would that difference look like?
Catholic Families Put Family First
Because our family relationships are the primary means God uses to help us become the people he created us to be, we treat family life as the most important activity in our week. We create and protect family rituals — like regular family dinners, time for prayer and worship, weekly game nights and family days, and regularly scheduled times for communication and relationship-building — that give us regular time to work, play, talk and pray together.
FAMILY ACTIVITY:
On Sunday afternoon, call a family “media break” and turn off all screens in your home for a set amount of time. See where the Holy Spirit leads your family. (Hint: ideas above!)