Dear Sacred Hearts parishioners,
It’s looking like we will have to maintain our regime of social distancing and other forms of isolation for a while. While no one is happy about this, we can all understand the reasons for it, and we can get creative about finding ways to stay united. The best way for us to remain united is one that does not require any special technological equipment: it is prayer! Some people have found that they now have more time on their hands; why not use that time to say a daily Rosary, or pray the Stations of the Cross, or meditate on the Word of God? Pray especially for the lonely and those who are anxious or grieving or separated from their loved ones. We are also using today’s technology to allow everyone to at least watch the celebration of the Mass live, and we will continue that practice as long as the current restrictions on gathering at church will last. Also, the members of our parish pastoral council and other volunteers will be telephoning every registered household in the parish to see how everyone is doing during this difficult and strange time. We want to know that everyone is doing all right, and if anyone has any urgent spiritual, financial, or physical needs. This is an opportunity for the parish family to become more united than ever before.
I’d like to thank everyone who has sent their financial contributions to the parish either electronically or through the mail. Even while the churches are closed, expenses continue including utility payments, insurance, debt reduction payments, interest on our construction loan, and staff salaries and benefits. I can promise that I have turned the thermostats down in the church, but there is no way to reduce our expenses to zero, even for a little while, and that makes everyone’s support very much appreciated.
The parish pastoral council also worked out a plan for everyone to be able to pick up blessed palms on Palm Sunday. You will be able to pick up a blessed palm for every member of your family this Sunday between 11am and 1pm. Here is how it will work: Volunteers will be standing in the rear parking lot next to a table with the blessed palms They will be wearing masks and gloves. Drive up to the table where the palms are; stay in your car and open the driver’s window. One of the volunteers will give you your palms. Then drive forward one car length where another volunteer will accept monetary donations to support the food pantry operated by Edison Enterprise Baptist Church (a separate basket will be available if you want to drop off your normal offertory payment to Sacred Hearts church). The poor, the homeless, and the unemployed are more severely affected by the present health emergency than the rest of us. This is a great opportunity to practice Lenten charity as Holy Week begins.
Sincerely Yours in Christ, Fr. Thomas Buffer, Pastor