Important letter from Fr. Tom – May 30, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

It’s Thursday morning, and I wish I had better news to give you about the resumption of Sunday Mass, however I do not. Nothing has changed from what I reported last week. We are still only permitted gatherings of 10 people or less without the distribution of Holy Communion.

I requested permission from the Diocese to celebrate Mass out- doors with social distancing. Permission was not granted due to the complexity of so many issues involved. The response goes on to talk about being in conformity with the directives of the Governor of New York. As of this writing, he is still limiting religious gatherings to 10 people. There are hopes in the near future, to open churches according to the percentage of their occupancy limits, but that permission has not been granted yet. We were then asked to be patient.

On the one hand I understand the desire to be cooperative with the civil authorities and the need to be cautious. But I must say, personal- ly, that I sometimes wonder if the civil authorities have the spiritual and pastoral interests of the people as a genuine concern. I do have the spiritual and pastoral interests of the people as a genuine concern. And we are ready to go. And we need to worship together. Let us.

We understand the necessity of continued vigilance.
We understand the need for social distancing and covering our face. We understand the need to protect the elderly and vulnerable.
We can do that.
We can also responsibly gather to worship.

I pray that the powers that be – both civil and religious – will hear us.

Praised be the name of Jesus Christ now and forever!
Fr. Tom