April 02, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

It has been a couple of weeks now since we have been able to gather and celebrate Eucharist together. I continue to remember you and your families in my private masses and prayers.

These are challenging times for everyone. Many are dealing with self-isolation and all of us with social distancing, others with the loss of employment and financial stress. We are also experiencing stress out of love and concern for our families. For the young, who are becoming anxious and fearful of what might happen to them and their family. For our seniors, who are especially vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. We are also concerned for the well being and security of the neediest members of our society who lack the financial stability to look after themselves and their families.

I commend both the Federal and Provincial Governments for their efficient and generous response to the individual and community effects of COVID-19. I also wish to acknowledge and support the excellent leadership given by Archbishop Hundt for responding quickly, wisely and prudently to safeguard the health of God’s people.  I wish to draw attention to Corpus Christi St. Vincent de Paul Society for their continued and faithful outreach to those in need in our community. I hope we can find a way to continue to offer them our financial support for the work that they do. These people are among the front-line workers who put themselves “out there” for the sake of others.

Our parish is striving to support all of you in prayer and by being available for contact by phone, 368-9751 or email, corpuschristi@nl.rogers.com.  I invite you also to visit our parish website for information coming from Archbishop Hundt concerning public ministry in our Diocese. You will also find a list of sites, both local and national, where you can find daily mass and devotions on TV or the Internet.  I have found the local live stream sites to be very well done.

On Sunday, April 5, we start Holy Week with the celebration of Palm /Passion Sunday. We recall the Lord’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem, leading to His arrest, passion, death, and Resurrection. We enter into the Paschal Mystery and offer ourselves with Jesus to God the Father, to be faithful to His will, so that we may serve God’s people more faithfully. I encourage everyone to make use of social media to avail of the opportunities provided via the internet and TV and to engage, as best you can, in these great celebrations of our faith. The Easter Triduum, (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday) is the central message of our Christian Faith. This is the time to ask God’s blessing on our families, our community, our nation, and the world as we support each other during this COVID-19 crisis. We certainly hold in prayer our Health Care professionals and other essential workers, who are there for us during these demanding times. We especially pray for healing and strength for all who have this virus and their families.

On Ash Wednesday we began Lent with a call to repentance and conversion, to deepen our prayer life and engage in works of charity. This has been a different kind of Lent for all of us as we deal with COVID-19.  Surely, we are responding to the spirit of Lent when we reach out to take care of one another and accept responsibility for limiting the spread of this dangerous virus. I would hope that we all are practicing Safe Distancing and following Health and Safety guidelines and directives.
Asking God’s Blessing on you and your Family.

In Christ,
Msgr. Joe
Pastor


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Dear Parishioners-COVID-19