UPDATES REGARDING THE CORONA VIRUS:
(Update: 16 March)
Bishop Stowe has directed that all public celebrations of the Mass be suspended beginning tomorrow, March 17.
What this will look like for our parish:
-NO MASS WILL BE CELEBRATED PUBLICLY UNTIL BISHOP STOWE DIRECTS OTHERWISE.
Meaning no public daily Masses and no public Sunday Masses. NONE. I will offer Mass each day in private according to my own schedule. ALL MASS INTENTIONS WILL BE HONORED.
ON SUNDAYS…while there will be no public Masses….all the faithful are reminded that they still have the responsibility of observing the Lord’s Day, especially by praying. I will offer Sunday Mass in private for ALL OUR PARISHIONERS.
-PUBLIC FUNERAL MASSES: Will be permitted while observing the strictest of hygiene.
-WEDDING MASSES/SERVICES:Will be permitted while observing the strictest of hygiene.
-BAPTISMS: Will take place outside of Mass while observing the strictest of hygiene.
-MINISTRY TO THE SICK: All routine visits to the sick are suspended. This is to protect the housebound/sick person and the lay minister. Most of those whom we visit are already high risk. ALL SACRAMENTAL EMERGENCIES WILL BE COVERED. I WILL ASSUME IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL MINISTRY TO THE SICK.
-STATIONS OF THE CROSS are suspended. All are encouraged to pray the stations with their families in private.
-CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD ON SATURDAYS: 3pm any anytime by arrangement with me.
-THE CHURCH WILL REMAIN OPEN EVERY DAY FOR PRAYER. The Adoration Chapel remains open 24/7
-THE PARISH OFFICE WILL REMAIN OPEN as best we can.
-I will remain visible, available and present. ALL EMERGENCIES WILL BE RESPONDED TO. I will continue to offer ministry to all and to accompany you through these difficult times. I commit myself to be creative in ensuring that social distancing does not mean social isolation for our people. THE MISSION AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH WILL AND MUST CONTINUE.
My cell is: 903-714-0483, email: amclaughlin@cdlex.org. PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO REACH OUT.
THIS IS AN EVER CHANGING SITUATION. I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED AS THINGS CHANGE.
Finally…….Perhaps we can email, text, call, send a note, card to a neighbor in distress. TAKE CARE OF OTHERS! TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBOR.
Please stay calm, stay healthy and stay constant in prayer. Please be patient with our staff, with me and with each other. These are truly uncharted waters.
ADVISORY
(Message from Father Anthony with prayer, 13 March 2020)
My Dear Parishioners:
During this time of threat from the Coronavirus please know that our parish is continuing to take every precaution. I urge all parishioners to stay calm, to stay healthy, and to remain constant in prayer.
So long as the threat from this virus remains, we cannot pretend that it‘s business as usual. Our ordinary lives will experience significant disruption even the ability of the Church to minister, as freely and as fully as before, will be disrupted. Please know that despite the limitations of these difficult days, the mission of our parish will and must continue.
Please find attached a prayer that I invite all persons and families to pray daily together during this crisis (this prayer is also pasted below and will be available in the narthex of the church.) It is important that we turn to the Lord, that we trust in Him and that we remain hopeful. In the end all will be well. Our hope in the Lord assures us of this.
I remain committed to offer pastoral care and to accompany all of you during these difficult days.
Jesus Mercy, Mary Help.
Saints Peter & Paul, pray for us.
Father Anthony
Prayer During the Threat from the Coronavirus
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us. Blessed Mother, Help of the Sick, Pray for Us. Saints Peter & Paul, Our Parish Patrons, Pray for us.
(All persons/families are asked to please pray this prayer daily)
Una Oracion por el Coronavirus
Jesucristo, tú atravesaste pueblos y villas “curando toda dolencia y toda enfermedad.” Por tu mandato, los enfermos fueron curados. Acude a nuestra ayuda hoy, en medio de la propagación global del coronavirus, para que podamos sentir tu amor curativo.
Cura a todos los enfermos con el virus. Que puedan recuperar sus fuerzas y sanar mediante un buen cuidado médico.
Sánanos de nuestros temores, los cuales no permiten que las naciones trabajen unidas y que los vecinos se ayuden unos a otros.
Cúranos de nuestro orgullo, el cual nos hace asumir invulnerabilidad ante una enfermedad que no tiene límites. Jesucristo, sanador de todo, acompáñanos en estos tiempos de incertidumbre y pena.
Acompaña aquellos que han muerto por causa del virus. Que estén descansando a tu lado en tu paz eterna.
Acompaña las familias de quienes están enfermos o que han muerto. En medio de sus preocupaciones y penas, líbrales de enfermedad y desesperación. Permíteles sentir tu paz.
Acompaña los doctores, enfermeras, investigadores y todos los profesionales médicos que andan en búsqueda de sanar y ayudar a los afectados, y que corren riesgos en el proceso. Permíteles sentir tu protección y paz.
Acompaña los líderes de todas las naciones. Dales la visión para actuar con amor, y un verdadero interés en el bienestar de la gente que deben de servir. Dales la sabiduría para poder invertir en soluciones de largo plazo que ayudarán a la preparación o prevención de futuros brotes. Permíteles conocer tu paz en esta tierra, mientras juntos trabajan para lograrlo.
Ya estemos en nuestras casas o en el extranjero, rodeados de muchos o de unos pocos que sufren de esta enfermedad, Jesucristo, acompáñanos mientras soportamos y lamentamos, persistimos y nos preparamos. Sustituye nuestra ansiedad por tu paz. Jesucristo, sánanos.
Animamos a todas las personas y familias que recen esta oración diariamente.
(Updated: 12 March 2020)
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March 12, 2020To: Priests and Parish Life Directors of the Catholic Diocese of LexingtonFrom: Department of Communications, Catholic Diocese of LexingtonNote: This will be posted online and shared with the media later this morning.Catholics in Lexington Diocese Dispensed From Sunday Mass Obligation as Part of Epidemic ResponseLEXINGTON — In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and with particular concern for vulnerable people, Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv., has granted a dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation for Catholics in the Diocese of Lexington for the weekend of March 14-15. Weekend Masses will still be celebrated, but Catholics are not obligated to attend.“This decision was not taken lightly, as the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is at the heart of the life of the Church. And especially at moments of deep concern for the common good, people of faith turn more deeply to prayer and the support that communities of faith provide,” said Bishop Stowe. “We are in communication with public health officials, and the risks of large gatherings as a means of spreading this virus are real. This is why the diocese has already adopted measures urging avoidance of contact with others at our liturgies.”Pastors should encourage those who are ill or have symptoms to stay home as an act of charity to their fellow parishioners, and vulnerable people, especially those over the age of 60, are encouraged to stay home. Those wishing to follow Sunday Mass from their homes can do so via Facebook livestream courtesy of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington this Sunday at 9 a.m. (www.facebook.com/ctklexky)Daily Masses, which are not as heavily attended as Sunday Masses, will also continue to be offered. Catholic churches are also encouraged to provide opportunities for handwashing at every Mass location. As the COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly changing situation, the diocese will provide further updates as needed.The diocese’s epidemic response is available online at: www.cdlex.org/diocese-of-lexington-epidemic-response
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