Here are some words from one of our window patron saints, Augustine. His memorial was this past Friday. Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr Sid The Gift of Oil What’s the meaning of “They didn’t take oil with them in their flasks”? What’s “in their flasks”? In their hearts. Which is why the apostle says, Our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience (2 Cor 1:12). That’s where the oil is, wonderful oil; it’s entirely the gift of God, this oil…. Carry it with you. What do I mean, carry it with you? Keep it inside you…. It’s not so very surprising, though, that while they go to buy, while they are looking for people to be admired by and can’t find any, while they are looking for people to be comforted by and can’t find any, that the door was opened, the bridegroom came and the bride, the Church, being glorified with Christ, as every single one of her members comes together to form the whole. And they went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut…. It’s said, and it’s true, and it isn’t said to deceive you, Knock, and it shall be opened to you (Mt 7:7); but do it now while it’s the time for mercy, not when it’s the time for judgment. These two times, you see, cannot and must not be mixed up, since the Church sings of both mercy and judgment to her Lord. Now is the time for mercy; repent…. The hour, you see, is coming, and coming we don’t know when. It’s coming in the middle of the night; keep awake. That’s how the Gospel concludes: Keep awake, because you do not know the day nor the hour. Keep awake in your heart, awake in faith, awake in hope, awake in charity, awake in good works; and when you fall asleep in the body, the time will come for you to rise…. Then may that bridegroom be embraced by spiritual arms, may he lead you then into his home where you need never sleep, where your lamp can never go out.

Two subjects I would like to address. First is the wearing of mask. As you have noticed we have not been real “rigid” with some of the virus safety guidelines. Many parishes have their seating roped off, require mask and everyone is ushered to a seat. I make no criticism of these practices. Everyone is trying to cope as best they can. I take a perspective that lean a little more toward personal responsibility. I am very aware that the mask is very controversial and unfortunately it has been politicalized. I have attempted to be influence by the science, not the politics or popular opinions. It seems to me that masks do have a place in prevention, but they are not a universal fix. The problem with the virus is that a person can have it and not be aware of it yet. In this condition we can spread it. The mask subdues the mist that naturally comes from all our mouths when we speak. Social distancing does help address this but if we are going to be closer, we should consider the mask. I am not going to be the “virus police”. I simply ask you as you make your consideration of how you will address the virus, do think of others who may be vulnerable. The other topic is, “The Chosen.” We will be showing the first episode this coming Thursday, Aug. 27, 6:30 pm in the hall. I need to remind you that we cannot at this time provide food, but you are welcome to bring your own soft drink or water. We will have a brief discussion afterward and you should be on your way home by 8 pm. We will provide seating with social distancing as best we can. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid

We are going to start with a parish activity in addition to Mass. On Thursday Aug. 27, 6:30 PM, in the parish hall, we will view episode one of the series called, “The Chosen”. We will only schedule this first one and see how things transpire. Here are the guidelines for this first meeting: 1. We will maintain social distancing as best we can. Seating will be prearranged for this purpose. 2. No food. 3. Soft drinks allowed but you must bring your own. The Chosen is an reenactment of the Gospels. The video is about 55 minutes long. We will follow with a short discussion after the presentation. You should be on your way home by 8 pm. If we have reasonable attendance and folks so desire, we will continue with more of the Chosen series. We will also set the schedule after the first presentation. So please consider being part of this if you can. Yours in Christ our Lord. Fr. Sid.

I am hoping that very soon we can expand to more parish activities. We will soon begin our Religious Ed. Classes. Donna Placke, our DRE, is working on this and parents should soon be notified of a date and how it will proceed. I am also planning to restart our Thursday evening faith program. I am looking at providing a video series called, Chosen. It is a set of presentations reenacting the Gospels. Either way, material is not a problem for the presentations. What we will need to change is the providing of food. The group will be limited to soft drinks that each participant brings for their self, if they so desire to have one. All of this is subject to modifications as we go. The startup of schools will be an important test concerning the virus. As you are aware, there is a tremendous amount of information and unfortunately, a lot of it is conflicting, leaving all of us questioning what to believe. I simply say, be careful. Use good hand hygiene and common sense. We are all in this together and the Lord will guide us through. With faith in Him, these events will all work to our good. So, keep the Faith. Love the Lord and love your neighbor! Yours in Christ our Lord, Fr. Sid.