For several reasons, I'm reminded to take a step back and look at the big picture.  We can ask God what does all this mean?  What is going on?  What is the underlying story?

     When we come together on Sunday (whether in person, by telephone, or on the Internet), we hear in the Bible about our salvation story.  In Jesus Christ, we recognize a basic pattern to human life:  birth, dying, and rising.  Jesus invites us to follow him, take up our cross, and die to ourselves so that we might rise with Him.

     We moved some furniture around to increase our church's capacity while maintaining social distancing.  Even so, I anticipate that the 10 AM Mass will reach capacity.  We now have signs on sawhorses that indicate such.  Here is the text of the signs:

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     Last week, the 6 PM Mass was about 3/4 full.  The 8 AM was about half.  The 12 noon was less than half.

     Holy Communion is distributed right after Mass outside the rectory.  You wouldn't have time to watch Mass at home, drive to church, and receive Holy Communion.  You could watch an earlier Mass and then be in the parking lot at the end of a later Mass.  For example, you could watch the 8 AM Mass and be in the parking lot at 10:45 AM.

     Expect most Sunday Masses to be 45 to 50 minutes.  Because of no music, the 8 AM Mass may be as short as 40 minutes.  It depends on the length of my homily and how many people show up to receive Holy Communion.

     Bishop O'Connell reminded us priests of the trifecta:  masks, social distancing, and disinfecting.  Please wear your masks and households stay six feet apart out of charity for one another.  Volunteers disinfect the church after every Mass.

God love you,

Fr. Jim