+ No April Fools jokes here! God has blessed us with a lovely day. I pray fervently every day that He also blesses us all with good health and protection against illness!
1. RIP. I commend to your prayers Mary Helen Flake, a long-time parishioner whose funeral was this morning at the funeral home. May she rest in the tender embrace of our Savior. And may God dry the tears of her family and loved ones.
2. CATHEDRAL CONVERSATION. Tomorrow evening, I will launch a weekly (?) Cathedral Conversation.
We'll see how it goes. This might even be useful after things return to whatever will be normal. To take part, "like" our page on FaceBook -- Saint Benedict Cathedral & School -- and you'll get a notice when I go "live."
3. PAYROLL. Many of you may be wondering how we're doing financially. Because of your generosity and the spring Voucher check from the State of Indiana, we made payroll on Thursday and will make it again next week. Again, I thank so many of you for your generosity, continuing to give in the midst of it all. We are in no way "financially normal," but for now, we're surviving!
4. ADVISORY GROUP. Soon after all this began, I gathered (virtually) a group of people to advise me along the way. That group includes Principal Kari Ford, Parish Accountant Melanie McMinn, Pastoral Council Chair Bob Wuertz, School Council Chair Natalie Hedde, and Finance Council Chair Steve Titzer. This group has been invaluable to me in finding our way through this challenging time. Thanks to all of you.
5. HOLY WEEK. During Holy Week, we will continue live-streaming. Beginning Thursday, April 9, there will be no 9AM Mass until Easter Sunday.
Holy Thursday Mass at 7PM;
Good Friday Passion Service at 3PM;
Easter Vigil at 8PM;
Easter Sunday at 9AM.
I'm also hoping that we'll be able to create a video with some of the music we typically use for the burial service on Good Friday night.
In order to help you to pray through Holy Week, especially if watching the live-stream isn't possible for you -- or in addition to it, I'm attaching here a document you may use, sent to us by our parishioner Matt Miller, the Diocesan Director of Worship.
God truly knows I'm missing you all. And yet I do feel wonderfully connected through our live-stream events. I'm working my way through each family during Lent, praying for you. Above all, I feel most connected to you when I stand at our beautiful altar in our exquisite church and know that I truly meet you there, in the hands of the Lord!
Pray for me. As always, I'm praying for you.
Fr. Godfrey
For those sick with COVID-19: Lord, have mercy.
For all who care for patients with COVID-19: Lord, have mercy.
For patients and residents in hospitals and nursing homes: Lord, have mercy.
For those who suffer bad health: Lord, have mercy.
For the hungry, homeless, and despairing: Lord, have mercy.
For the fearful, vulnerable, and elderly: Lord, have mercy.
For the selfish, the careless, and the negligent: Lord, have mercy.
For the doubtful and despairing: Lord, have mercy.
For the doubtful and despairing: Lord, have mercy.
For the frazzled, confused, and overwhelmed: Lord, have mercy.
For those communicating in rapidly changing times: Lord, have mercy.
For the unemployed and the under-equipped: Lord, have mercy.
For business owners and managers: Lord, have mercy.
For the lonely: Lord, have mercy.
For patience, compassion, and courtesy: Lord, have mercy.
For wisdom, restraint, and peace: Lord, have mercy.
For calm hearts, faithful souls, and certain faith: Lord, have mercy.
For your entire earth, hurting and afraid: Lord, have mercy.
For your Holy Church, wounded but hopeful: Lord, have mercy.
For your St. Ben's parishioners, scattered but one: Lord, have mercy.
For me, to become the saint you've made me to be: Lord, have mercy.