Letter from the Pastor
-
July 11, 2021Last week, those who have signed up for Flocknotes received a letter from Cardinal Dolan. Flocknotes is the social messaging service that our Archdiocese uses as well as our Parish to disseminate important information. If you haven’t signed up for Flocknotes, please do. On our website, there is a link to sign up. If you are not familiar with signing up on line, ask your grandkids!
The Letter states that we all need now to return to Mass; the obligation to attend Mass is in effect, so spread the News! Come back to Mass. There are no more restrictions for Mass. If however, you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, please do so. If you haven’t been fully vaccinated, I would suggest you wear your mask, so as to protect yourself. However, that is your decision. Children who are not vaccinated should wear a mask, but as their parent, that’s your decision as well.
We are not ready yet to fill the holy water fonts or offer a physical Sign of Peace (unless you are family).
Again, I am so grateful to all who have contributed to our parish these past months. We are not ready to pass the basket from one to another, as has been the custom here at St. Margaret’s. At the entrance to the Church on the Offertory Table is the basket for your contribution envelopes. Some people were asking where they could drop off their envelope. Many people have signed up for electronic giving. If you are interested, please call the Parish Center and talk to Helen, extension 105, while others may mail in their contributions.Next weekend at all the Masses, we will have an appeal for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. Usually, a priest or religious comes to our parish and makes the appeal on behalf of the Church in a particular country. The Missions are in need of our help, spiritually as well as financially. Our country was considered mission territory until 1908. We benefitted from the established Churches in France and Spain who gave us help to build up our Churches in America. Now, it is our turn to help the Churches in the Third World Countries. Many of our Churches are being persecuted and many martyrs are witnessing to the faith. Sadly, it doesn’t make the mainstream media outlets here in America. The Church is always suffering, but in her suffering and bloodshed, here lies her strength.
When we were given the date for the Appeal, the Pandemic restrictions were still in place. We would have welcomed Fr. Kaye from the Diocese of Mutvattupzha, India. Father is presently stationed in Lovelock, Nevada. He cannot make it here physically; however, he sent a letter that will be read at all the Masses next weekend.
On the Offertory table near the entrance of the Church, will be a second basket for the Propagation of the Faith collection. I ask you to be as generous as you can to help the Church in India. The people of India are suffering greatly because of the virus, and many of the priests and religious have died because of the virus. St. Thomas, the Apostle to India, pray for them.
In the heat of July, I came across the following quote from a Russian Saint who lived during the mid 18th century. St. Seraphim was a mystic and an ascetic; he became a hermit and withdrew to live in a forest. He is known for his writings; the following is a wonderful quote for a summer vacation meditation:
Drink water from the spring where horses drink. The horse will never drink bad water. Lay your bed where the cat sleeps. Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm. Boldly pick the mushroom on which the insects sit. Plant the tree where the mole digs. Build your house where the snake sits to warm itself. Dig your fountain where the birds hide from the heat. Go to sleep and wake up at the same time with the birds – you will reap all of the days' golden grains. Eat more green – you will have strong legs and a resistant heart, like the beings of the forest. Swim often and you will feel on earth like the fish in the water. Look at the sky as often as possible and your thoughts will become light and clear. Be quiet a lot, speak little – and silence will come in your heart, and your spirit will be calm and full of peace.”
Go out and enjoy Nature’s Beauty, it reflects its Author, Artist and Creator: Almighty God.
