Dear Parishioners,
The notice on the dispensation is quoted below:
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Bishop Extends Mass Dispensation
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., issued the following message July 30, 2020:
Given all current public health and safety reports, I am extending the dispensation from Sunday obligation to attend Mass beyond the aforementioned September 7 date listed in our Diocesan Directives “until further notice.”
The faithful are certainly encouraged, but not required, to attend Sunday Mass in their parishes whenever possible or to participate in outdoor or live-streamed parish Masses offered online until the dispensation ceases “to keep holy, the Lord’s Day.”
Please continue to remember one another in prayer, especially the sick, the departed and all those providing care for them at this time.
Respectfully in the Lord,
Bishop O’Connell
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Livestreaming Darkness
The video for today's Mass went blank early on. The audio continued. I don't know why. After Mass I investigated and still couldn't figure it out. However, I added a new media source in Open Broadcasting Software and got it to work in a test. Hopefully, it'll work tomorrow.
A week ago I did update the livestreaming computer in order to prevent encoding errors. It seems to have helped. Hopefully, this new problem is just a fluke.
Coronavirus Trend?
The COVID-19 numbers seem tricky to me. It looks like we have slow growth within our parish boundaries and faster growth around us. COVIDActNow.org makes some strange predictions for Ocean County. New cases are going down. The infection rate is going up. The ICUs have room for a new wave of COVID infections. Hospitalizations are trending down. COVIDActNow.org says we're at risk of an outbreak in Ocean County.
Please pray that we don't have an outbreak. Let's continue to persevere and act prudently.
How Long?
How long are we going to be dealing with COVID-19? I just don't know. So far, we've made adjustments every week based on changes in the situation. We'll continue to do so.
I'm becoming more mindful of the psychological challenges of being isolated and having to wear a mask. I'm no expert. For myself, three things are helping a lot: exercise, prayer, and a routine.
It took me three months to get into running shape. I feel much better and more energetic. I'm looking forward to cooler weather when I can go for longer and faster runs.
God is our rock. Prayer connects us more deeply with Him. I'm looking forward to a deeper time of prayer during my silent retreat, August 10-14.
Routines are important for all of us. I was able to stay in emergency mode for about three months. But then I needed to cut back and work on stability and a routine. I'm eager to get to bed by 9 PM so that I can get up before 5 AM. This new routine is just about the best routine I've ever had. And there's more tweaking to be done.
Lastly, I want to emphasize that all our efforts pale in comparison with what God is doing and can do in us. Discuss your life with Him. Then, listen to Him.
God love you,
Fr. Jim