Governor Evers has now mandated the “Safer at Home” ordinances for the State of Wisconsin until April 24th unless he decides to rescind it earlier. During this time while we are expected to stay in our homes, we will try to offer the weekend Mass on YouTube as we did this past weekend.
I was pleased to see that the Governor’s orders allow for worship services to continue in the manner that we have been providing here at St. Mary’s. Nevertheless, I would be remiss if I did not repeat the advice that medical professionals are giving, which is to please remain at home.
Since the Governor’s ordinance allows for worship in groups of ten or less, prayer and Holy Communion will be offered each morning around 8:00 and also on Saturday afternoon at 4:00. I will continue to offer a “private Mass” most mornings. For those who do come to church, always remember that only 10 persons at a time can be in the church proper and social distancing is also required.
Last week Bishop Callahan wrote an article about spiritual communion and its importance. Certainly a spiritual communion with Our Lord is not the same as the physical presence of Christ offered in the sacrament of Holy Communion, but when we cannot receive physically, a spiritual communion is beneficial. I would encourage all of our parishioners to unite themselves spiritually in communion with Jesus during these days. An example of a spiritual communion prayer is provided for you here – but you can find many prayers of spiritual communion and it is also good to offer one from your own heart as you pray to be united with the Lord spiritually.
O Jesus, I think about the holy tabernacle where You live hidden for love of me.
I love You, O my God. I cannot receive You in the sacrament of Holy Communion today.
Come nevertheless and visit me with Your grace. Come spiritually into my heart.
Purify it. Sanctify it. Render it like your own. Amen.
O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
We’ll continue to communicate through the parish and school website. Please take the precautions seriously that we are given so that all of us can come through this crisis safely and remain as healthy as possible. I continue to place our parish and all its members under the protection of the Holy Family.
God bless.