April 1, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

I woke up today and realized it was April Fool’s Day.  I wondered for a few brief moments if all that is going on right now in our world was just a joke and/or a bad dream.  I suppose not!  However, I am affirmed everyday at the goodness of our awesome parishioners and community.  So many people have been stepping up to help in lots of various ways.  

As we enter Holy Week this coming weekend, we have a unique opportunity to enter this Holiest of Weeks in a whole new way.  With many of our traditions and ways of worshiping limited this year, we can and should reflect on this most Sacred Week with a renewed sense of awe and wonder.  I encourage you to participate and pray with the Live Stream Liturgies:  

Palm Sunday Masses will be at 4 pm and 11 am                Holy Thursday Mass will be at 7 pm

Good Friday will be Stations at 12Noon and Passion Service at 3 pm

Holy Saturday Easter Vigil at 7:30 pm                                   Easter Sunday Mass at 11 am

Go to www.srweuclid.cc and click on LIVESTREAM.  These Liturgies are for both St. John of the Cross & Ss. Robert & William Parishes.  

A few other important updates:

Blessed Palms & Easter Reflection Books will be available at BOTH Ss. Robert & William and St. John of the Cross.  You can drive up to the Rectory Garages at either parish and we will give them to you.   You can return old palms to us and we will burn and/or bury.  The times will be 5:30 – 6:30 pm on Saturday and 12:30 – 1:30 pm on Sunday.

Confessions will be available at St. John of the Cross on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday.   They will be from 6 to 7 pm.   Deacons Joe & Tom will be there to make sure we are attentive to social distancing.  Only Face to Face will be available.  Restrooms will be closed so please make sure you go before you come😊.

While there will be No Easter Food & Basket Blessing, we will have Holy Water Bottles & Blessing you can do at home available for pick up on Holy Saturday, April 11 from 1:30 to 2:30 pm at BOTH St. John of the Cross and Ss. Robert & William.  You can drive up to the Rectory Garages at either parish and we will give them you.  You can also drop off your Easter envelope at this time too, if that is convenient.  Save a stamp.   

I am anticipating that the Bishop’s will extend the suspension of the Sacraments and Mass through May 1 to be in line with the federal order.  I have not heard yet and will let you know as soon as I hear.   However, Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19) Prayers and Novena will be offered LIVESTREAM starting at 2 pm.  I will also offer some additional Confession times Easter week.  More about this Novena can be found at http://www.divinemercysunday.com/.  

I am still accepting pictures to hang in the pews at Ss. Robert & William so we can see you and pray for you and your loved ones as we celebrate the LIVESTREAM Mass.  Email them to me fjb@srweuclid.cc or frjohn@sjceuclid.com or mail or drop off at either parish.  

I would also like to collect names of Healthcare workers who are on the front lines of this pandemic.   Each day at LIVESTREAM Mass we will read the names we receive and add them to a list we will keep in front of the altar.  This way we keep them in the forefront of our prayer.  Send names to Renee or Deacon Tom at rbarber@srweuclid.cc or deacontom@sjceuclid.com.

Be assured of my continued love and prayers!  I feel blessed that no one I have heard of from either St. John of the Cross or Ss. Robert & William as having COVID – 19, but I know people who know people.   So, let’s keep praying and supporting one another.  We are in this together.  I love you and please, please let me know if you need anything!  Just call or email me.  

Peace,
 Fr. John