I am reaching out to you in your homes by mail as we all continue to abide by safety precautions during this pandemic. I hope this letter finds you in good health as we patiently await the easing of restrictions that will allow us to gather together for the Eucharist and partake of the Bread of Life, the absence of which deepens our longing. While I don’t have any insight as to when this will happen, I echo Bishop Tobin’s hope that the Feast of Pentecost on May 31 would be an appropriate time to begin in some modified manner. Every Sunday at 10am, as you know, I have been airing the Mass on the saintanthonychurch.org website, and many of you have viewed it. If you have internet access you can watch the mass on your phone, tablet or laptop. In my personal opinion until a vaccine makes it safe to gather again in large numbers, we await future directives as how to proceed following the norms of social distancing. But regardless of what will happen, Sunday Mass will continue to be streamed on the website for those parishioners who will not be able to attend because of health or other reasons.
Because of the pandemic, the sacramental celebrations of Confirmation and First Holy Communion will be delayed until the fall, unfortunately, and families will be notified by program directors. The annual weekend celebration of the Feast of Saint Anthony is also cancelled this year, although you will be contacted in a future mailing as to the modified manner his June 13 feast day will be observed. Our tri-parish ministries to the hungry still continue to operate weekly because of our dedicated volunteers, and donations in his honor sustain these works of charity.
Never hesitate to call the rectory for any need or for further information as the office remains open as do our chapel on weekdays (Monday – Thursday 9 AM – 4 PM) and Presentation Church on weekends for private prayer (Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM; Sunday 9 AM – 12 PM). For those of you who have internet access, you will find helpful information on the parish website along with the weekly parish bulletins. Please know that I pray daily for the needs of the parish and I ask for your prayers too. Let’s all continue to pray for all brave essential workers who make life possible during these difficult days. We also pray for all victims of the Coronavirus especially for many in our community who have lost loved ones without being able to say farewell or honor with a Mass of Christian Burial.
May God bless you and your family members and sustain your faith in the God who always walks with us.