WELCOME TO ST CECILIA ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Saturday, April 4, 2020 (view here)
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
27 March, 2020
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ-
Praise be to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I have been overwhelmed by your kind letters, notes, calls, emails and so forth, that you have sent to me in expression of your support for our ongoing ministries here at St Cecilia’s, and in a special way of your love and concern for Fr Augustine and myself. This pandemic is certainly an event which I would have never thought to have occurred; yet, as we look to the Scriptures and history, we find that plaques and illnesses have occurred over time. In an age where technology reigns and we have such great confidence in it and man’s ability to overcome almost any obstacle, it seems now to be a time of uncertainty and fright. Yet, as believers, in the midst of this pandemic, it is vital that we remember that the Lord is still in control and loves us with a love that is far greater than any virus that can come our way. I cannot fully explain why COVID-19 has occurred and for how long it will last; however, I can say that in the midst of it, I am seeing in so many of you a strong faith and reliance on our Lord to be your strength. I also am overjoyed at seeing the number of individuals who are recommitting their lives to Christ and seeking to permit Him to be their strength!
As we continue through this time, there are a couple of things I would like to share with you:
First. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is being prayed and videoed at 9am daily in our Church. With the assistance of several volunteers, we are able to broadcast the Mass live and also have it available on our website for viewing later in the day. The intentions of the Masses are those posted on our website. Please excuse the issues we are having as we try to clear them up. It appears this will be our mode of attending Mass for the foreseeable future. What a blessing modern technology is, in that we are able to view this sacred Liturgy from our own homes! Mass ends with exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I am truly grateful for our volunteers!
Second. A reminder that Adoration is occurring from the Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the end of Mass until 1pm daily. This is a time to come and spend private time with the Lord in Adoration and prayer. The only request is that you maintain adequate distance between you and others who are present as well. Prayer materials are available for your use.
Third. Bishop Foys has again assigned a Seminarian to the Parish. William Pikar, a first year collegian is a graduate of Covington Catholic and is studying at the Pontifical College Josephinum- the Seminary I attended. With the closure of the Seminary due to the ongoing virus, Will is assigned here at least until the end of May, if not through the course of the summer until classes resume at the Josephinum. He is residing in our rectory. Please pray for him as he is completing this semester’s classes only!
Finally, I have had several queries as to what to do with our offertory envelopes. I am so blessed to know of your concern for the ongoing financial needs of the Parish. Despite our Parish Office being currently closed as well as the School, I have no plans to change any staffing or curtailing the mission of our Parish. Thus, your contributions to the Parish continue to remain vital. I truly appreciate those of you whose contributions are done electronically. If you are not doing so and would like to start, please call the Church Office and one of the ladies will get back to you concerning it. The process is actually very simple.
Thank you to so many of you who have mailed your Sunday Offertory Envelopes or have slipped them under the Parish Office door this week. I truly appreciate your faithfulness. I realize that this is a difficult time for many of our Parishioners financially, as workplaces are closed and there may be difficulties due to the effects of this pandemic and the expectations laid forth by our state leaders. Thus, due to these conditions, if you feel that you are unable to give at this time, please hold off until such time as you are able to. For those of us who are capable of giving, please do! Probably the easiest way to give is to mail your contribution to the Parish Office- if you are sending a check! If donating cash, please bring your offertory envelope to the Parish and either slip it under the inside Church Office door or the Sacristy door in the Church. Either way, these places are checked at least once a day. Please be assured that your envelopes will be safe! We will endure and experience the joy of moving past the days of this pandemic!
As I mentioned at the start of this letter, our Masses will be video casted for the foreseeable future as the Universal Church strives to guide us through this pandemic. Herein follows a letter from Bishop Concerning Holy Week and Easter. Please know that I join with you in sadness that we will be limited in our Holy Week and Easter Celebrations. As I conclude, please know of my prayers for each one of you and yours. I covet your prayers as well! God bless you!
In His love!
Fr Mario Joseph Tizziani
Pastor
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP
Memory Verse of the Week: “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall lack.” (Psalm 23:1)
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