Merry Christmas to those separated from family; I think of BrianK and his son, Fra Silvan; the two on opposite coasts of our country. God bless you, Brian! Dear Lady, cover us all with your Mantle of Maternal love and intercession!
I thought of this thread during the homily at Mass tonight. In the course of the homily, the priest was talking about how so many people had responded with love amidst the darkness of this pandemic. He had gone to anoint a lady in her home. As he was anointing her, she suddenly asked him where was St. Anne during the birth of Our Lord. He told her he didn't know but maybe she was at home taking care of Joachim. She replied that she would be St. Anne this Christmas. She could have gone to family but there were children in that house and everyone would be afraid that one of them could have the virus and pass it to her. So, she decided to stay home rather than put that worry on children at Christmas.
Talked to our Pastor shortly before Christmas mass and thanked him for keeping daily mass and communion going during our lockdown which starts today. He said, they will have to put us in jail to stop mass and communion. Our lockdown requires a maximum of 10 people inside the church (including those officiating) but all masses will be broadcast over shortwave FM (listen in car in parking lot) and streamed online (have been for months) but unlike first wave lockdown everyone will get communion if they wish. It will be outside, socially distanced and in hand only. There is a back up plan for extremely bad weather too. Having been reading and praying on Jesus' words and St. Faustina's own words on the Blessed Sacrament I am reluctantly ok in accepting our Lord on the hand. His great desire for this physical and spiritual union are profound in Faustina's diary. I desire this union more (and I believe Jesus does also) than my personal wish to only receive on the tongue. I simply can't place my personal desire above this union God so wants which provides grace and mysterious benefits beyond my understanding. To each their own. I would suggest to pray and make sure you are doing what God wants not your own will if refusing Him when not available on the tongue. Communion is the summit and sole point in celebrating the mass and vital to our faith. Feel blessed to still partake during this lockdown. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
You are blessed with your Holy Priest..unfortunately, there will be no Mass we can attend..we are in the diocese of Cardinal Collins and although I do believe he is spiritual, he is following government guidelines. Last spring I called St. Michael's and I left a very anguished tearful message for the poor soul who listened to it and I think his name was Fr. Mike..he called me within 2 hours. The first thing I did was apologize..then I told him I thought that I believe there is more going on here than just a pandemic he replied "you may have something there" the conversation ended with me suggesting that Cardinal Collins get his directive from God. And Fr. Mike told me he'd pass on my message. I just don't understand..how can our priests who are the apostles of Christ, and follow in the footsteps of the original apostles who gave up their lives for Christ, just cave in to governments? There has not been even 1 case that I know of in any Catholic Church in Ontario. I could understand if there had been, then closing for sanitation, just like grocery stores. But there haven't been any cases. Then I read about some bishops in the U.S. who have gone to court and won. In Canada we are just so goody two-shoes! We are so complacent! There is coming a time when all Catholics and other fellow Christians will have to stand up and be counted at the risk of being arrested, imprisoned and even death. It seems its up to us to lead the way. As our priests are required to obey. I finally have understood this, but at some point they too need to step forward. I saw the video someone posted of Cardinal Collins threatening his priests with shut down if they offered communion in the hands,.and so I can understand they want to continue to keep the doors open by obeying. I know that Cardinal Collins also told them there cannot be any singing. As it happens, on September 30th I went to Mass at St. Michael's Cathedral with my husband. It was the anniversary of the concecration on st. Michael's Cathedral and they had the entire St. Michael's choir singing ..it was beautiful! I told a priest I know..Fr. Paul that they are singing and he was shocked and still too afraid to be shut down. I feel he wants to be obedient and keep his doors open. I think we really need to pray for our priests, bishops, cardinals, and the Holy Catholic Church..more than ever before. May they be guided by the Holy Spirit and not by fear.
