The Liturgy this week continues to instruct us in the elements of discipleship. We’re told that even the most humble among us have a share in the mission Christ gives to His Church.

Notification of someone who may have been at Mass and tests positive for Covid 19.

A German proverb says that fear makes the wolf bigger than it is. When we are afraid, our imagination can run wild, we feel helpless and trapped and we fail to act. Just ask any kid who hides under the bed when he hears a scary noise in the middle of the night! The only sound he wants to hear is the reassuring voice of his mom or dad.

A big welcome to our new Coordinator of Liturgical Music!

After dinner at our parents’ home on Christmas Day, we were sitting at the table, reminiscing about the Christmas celebrations of our childhood. The middle brother picked up one of my mother’s in- credible cookies and held it up as he announced that this was the best memory of his childhood Christ- mas. He told the story of being ten years old and sneaking to the kitchen in the middle of the night, just to get a Christmas cookie. A second later, the cookie was gone and it became another part of his memories!

Last weekend we had a successful re-opening of Masses at St. Columbkille Parish. Considering the restrictions and warnings for vulnerable people, we were pleased to have 287 people at the Masses. With the great help of our volunteers, all the procedures and guidelines for a safe opening were met. We are extremely grateful for the volunteers who stepped up to the plate. Please note the revised schedule for Sunday morning Masses and daily Mass. We look forward to Phase 2 of the Governor’s re-opening plan and how it will impact our ability to come together as a faith community. In the meantime stay safe and healthy.

On a beautiful Saturday in May, I sat at a table in the park, reading term papers and enjoying the sights and sounds of spring. My favorite sound is that of little children laughing and squealing as mom and dad play games with them, or throw a ball or sit and eat a picnic lunch. It’s the perfect im- age of family. Love is in the air, infusing the mind and spirit with a sense of peace and joy. There is something about a toddler’s laugh that makes you smile with hope and happiness.

Dear Friends and Parishioners:

The last time I emailed you, we were waiting to hear news of when we can reopen the church for public Mass. Well, as most of you know, we can reopen which is great news, but it is conditioned by some stringent parameters that we have to meet for the safety of all involved. While the order to close has been lifted, the Virus still remains! Below is a rather lengthy document which explains all we must do to insure that we meet the requirements to reopen. I strongly urge you to read the entire document so you can get a complete understanding of what has to be done. For members of our Spanish speaking community, we hope to soon send you a Spanish version of the document.

Re-Opening Guidance on Preparations and Requirements

We all have been taught that patience is a virtue. During these times we certainly need to pray for that virtue. Right now we do not know for sure when we will be able to reopen for Sunday Masses. It could be in a few weeks, or it could be a number of months from now. We have a sense of expectation that it is coming, but we must do our best to temper that expectation with a strong dose of patience and acceptance of the difficulties of this current time. We will reopen someday, but we do not know when. However, I have been asked by the Cardinal to be one of two pastors among other people to serve on a restart committee to work on preliminary plans for reopening the churches.

Color televisions amazed people. Black and white images were replaced by all the colors of the rainbow and both people and cartoons seemed to have more life. Now, high-definition televisions show amazing detail. Colors are more vivid and the picture has a depth and clarity that older televisions lack. The viewer can see every line, wrinkle, and subtlety that was once left to the imagination. The viewer can really see bigger and better!

Opportunity to contribute to our collection continues. You may put your contribution into any weekend collection, mail it to the parish office or drop it off at the parish office. If you did not receive a mailing, you may pick up one in the racks at the entrances of the church. The grand annual collection is the largest single source of revenue for the parish. Your generosity is needed and deeply appreciated.

Some of the most humorous moments on the show, “Everyone Loves Raymond,” were those that reminded viewers of their own families. It was easy to laugh at the flaws and antics of the characters because in them we recognized a bit of ourselves. Faced with the same kinds of situations, we know just how everyone would react—with the same silliness, or comic expression, or choice of words. It’s always easier to laugh at ourselves when we know that everyone else is just like us.

In the Holy Family we also recognize a bit of ourselves. Our size and circumstances vary, but beyond the superficial differences, we are the same. The virtues of God’s chosen ones that St. Paul describes to the Colossians are at the core of what it means to be a family. Clothed in mercy, kindness and patience, we bear with one another, forgive one another and love one another, so that as one holy family we help each other grow in faith, hope and love.

Family gives us roots, identity, a place to grow up and a place to call home. We find the support and safety and freedom to be ourselves, to develop our strengths and correct our faults. More importantly, we share the incredible gifts of life and grace with each other. We honor those we love and become the people God calls us to be. We learn and practice the miraculous virtues of God’s chosen ones, because that is who He calls us to be.

~James Gaffney, © 2007 Karides Lic. to St. George Publishing
jim@stgeorgepublishing.com

Thank you to all who contributed last week to the Saint Columbkille Parish Grand Annual Collection

Opportunity to contribute to our collection continues through the Fall. You may put your contribution into any weekend collection, mail it to the parish office, or drop it off at the parish office. If you did not receive a mailing, you may pick up one in the racks at the entrances of the church. The grand annual collection is the largest single source of revenue for the parish. Your generosity is needed and deeply appreciated.

New electronic Vigil Light stand at the San Donato statue in the upper church….
A new Vigil Light stand has been donated to the parish and is now in place at the San Donato shrine in the upper church. Each vigil light will stay illuminated for a couple of hours in honor of the particular prayer request made by each person. A donation is offered for each candle. Vigil light candles were very popular in the past, but due to fire hazard, many were discarded for safety reasons. The new electronic candles have been available for a number of years and give the appearances of the real wax candles when illuminated.

Saint Columbkille Parish Grand Annual Collection…
Our annual collection will be held the weekend of November 2/3. The week before the collection, you will receive a letter and envelope in the mail detailing the need for the collection along with a summary of income and expenses for last fiscal year and the budget for this fiscal year. This collection is the largest single income producer for our parish each year and is essential to the financial health of the parish.

Come One! Come All!… Parish Pot Luck Supper, Saturday, October 5, 5:30 pm in the newly renovated school hall. What can you bring to the Table? This weekend and next volunteers will have sign up sheets at the back of the church for you to sign up to bring something or to set up at 3:00 or clean up after the supper. We often complain that we don’t get to know our neighbors anymore. This is your chance to get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ. Don’t pass up the opportunity!

Save the Date… Parish pot Luck Supper, Saturday, October 5, 5:30 pm in the newly renovated school hall. Details to follow in next week’s bulletin.

Alert!!!!!!… Some parishioners are still receiving text messages purported to be from me, Fr. Richard W. Fitzgerald, asking for purchase of “Google cards” for my use. It is a scam, and not a message from me. Do not respond if you get such a message.