The Parish Council met on Tuesday, April 14 (2nd Tuesday of the month) using ZOOM.. At the end, it was proposed that we each share a prayer on behalf of the parish. Here are our prayers:
Pope at Regina Caeli noon prayer: ‘Life has the last word.” (Mon, April 13)
Pope Francis says, ‘Jesus resurrection tells us that death does not have the last word, life does.”
Pope Francis’ Easter Vigil Homily (Sat, April 11)
Click on the image to go to his Easter Vigil homily.
The Way of the Cross - Pope Francis (Fri, April 10)
From the Sagrato of St Peter's Basilica-The Way of the Cross presided over by Pope Francis
We cannot go to Jerusalem, so we have Jerusalem come to us with this classic Catholic tradition, the Stations of the Cross. Join Pope Francis as he leads us along the passion of Jesus. It is our Lord’s Passion, that takes us into the mysterious and profound depths of His incredible love for us.
Pope Francis’ Message for Holy Week (Fri, April 3)
Recognizing the difficulties everyone around the world are having dealing with Covid-19, Pope Francis shares his concerns. He offered this word of advice:
“Let us try, if we can, to make the best use of this time: let us be generous. Let us help those in need in our neighborhood. Let us look out for the loneliest people, perhaps by telephone or social networks. Let us pray to the Lord for those who are in difficulty in Italy and in the world.”
Despite the isolation imposed by social distancing measures, “thought and spirit can go far with the creativity of love.”
His hope for us is to tap into the message of the Gospel, “God’s boundless love.” He says, “It is the hope of a better time, in which we can be better, finally freed from evil and from this pandemic, … It is a hope: hope does not disappoint. It is not an illusion, it is a hope.”
Pope Francis Prayer Service & Urbi et Orbi Blessing (Fri, March 27)
On Friday, March 27, Pope Francis presided in prayer for the Coronavirus at St. Peter’s Basilica and followed it with his Urbi et Orbi (to the city and the world) blessing.
Click here for his beautiful homily.
“Our Father” on the Feast of the Anunciation (March 25)
March 25 (Feast of the Annunciation) - Pope Francis called for all Christians throughout the world to join in praying the Our Father as a response to the Covid-29 pandemic. He calls upon us to respond “with the universality of prayer, of compassion, of tenderness. …. Let us remain united. Let us make our closeness felt toward those persons who are the most lonely and tried.”
This is his prayer:
“As trustful children we turn to the Father. We do it every day, several times a day; but right now we wish to beg mercy for mankind, so sorely tried by the coronavirus pandemic. And we do this together, Christians of every Church and Community, of every tradition, of every age, language and nation.
We pray for the sick and their families; for health workers and those who help them; for the authorities, law enforcement agencies and volunteers; for the ministers of our communities.
Today many of us celebrate the Incarnation of the Word in the womb of the Virgin Mary, when her humble and total “Behold” reflected the “Behold” of the Son of God. We too entrust ourselves, with full confidence, to the hands of God, and with one heart and one soul we pray:
"Our Father..."
Praying the Rosary on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19)
Pope Francis urges Catholics to unite spiritually, praying the rosary simultaneously on the Feast of St. Joseph, in response to the worsening of the Coronavirus outbreak. Each family, individual, and religious community is asked to pray the Luminous mysteries on Thursday, March 19 at 9pm Rome time.
He says,
Tomorrow we will celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. In life, work, family, joy and sorrow he always sought and loved the Lord, meriting the praise of Scripture as a just and wise man. Always invoke him with confidence, especially in difficult times, and entrust your lives to this great Saint.
I join in the appeal of the Italian bishops who in this health emergency have promoted a moment of prayer for the whole country. Every family, every faithful, every religious community: all united spiritually tomorrow at 9 p.m. in the recitation of the Rosary, with the Mysteries of Light. I will accompany you from here.
We are led to the luminous and transfigured face of Jesus Christ and His Heart by Mary, Mother of God, health of the sick, to whom we turn with the prayer of the Rosary, under the loving gaze of Saint Joseph, Guardian of the Holy Family and of our families. And we ask him to take special care of our family, our families, especially the sick and the people who are taking care of them: doctors, nurses, and volunteers, who risk their lives in this service.
I hope you all were able to share with us online, our Triduum and Easter Sunday celebrations. If not, those wonderful and powerful celebrations are available on our YouTube link or Facebook Video link. As we embark on this power season of joy and resurrection, this is a time to reap the fruits of our Lenten disciplines and allow the power of Christ’s resurrection and God’s Holy Spirit to make us bolder and more joyful. Each day, consider doing an activity to exercise the love of God and an activity to exercise the love of neighbor. The power and light are within, wanting to find expression. Just when you thought you were done with the disciplines of Lent, it’s time to be about the disciplines of Easter. There is no vacation from being Christ’s disciple, living virtuous disciplines.
Now you may have noticed our video streaming is not quite the same as before. This is what happens when our Paulist Novice, Noah, abandons us. He is now driving cross country back to the Paulist Novitiate in Washington, DC. Please keep him in your prayers. We were blessed to have him during Lent and I had hoped the shelter-in-place policy would have kept him longer. But alas, he is trained to be a Paulist, who by nature is a missionary willing to travel when needed. If you’d like to send him a thank you note, you can write him at Noah Ismael; 1200 Varnum St., NE; Washington, DC 20017 or by e-mail.
- Fr. Ivan
Estimados hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,
Yo sé que mi Redentor vive! (Job 19:25).
He estado aferrado a ese verso estas últimas semanas. Cuando tengo miedo, me da consuelo y fortaleza. Al decir Mi Redentor Vive, significa que no importa lo que nos pase a nosotros o a nuestro país en estas semanas, Cristo ha resucitado. Él supera todo dolor, sufrimiento e incertidumbre. Él no lo quita, pero Él, y todos aquellos que son Sus discípulos, vencerán.
¿Qué es lo peor que nos puede pasar durante este tiempo? Podríamos contraer el coronavirus y morir. ¿Pero acaso la muerte es el final? No, no es el fin para aquellos que creen en Cristo y son bautizados. Recuerdo que en el año 1985, el vuelo 847 de TWA fue secuestrado en Atenas por terroristas. Había algunos soldados y marineros estadounidenses entre los pasajeros. Fueron golpeados, y uno de ellos, el marinero Robert Stethem, recibió un disparo en la cabeza y su cuerpo fue arrojado del avión al asfalto. Unas semanas después, en su funeral en los Estados Unidos, su hermano, también marinero, se levantó para hablar. Mientras yo viva, nunca olvidaré sus palabras: "Sé que si mi hermano estuviera aquí hoy, querría decir una cosa. 'Que pase lo que pase, Dios reina'". Aunque ese marinero estaba de luto por la pérdida de su hermano, su fe - y la fe de su hermano - fue primordial.
Yo sé que mi Redentor vive!
La siguiente peor cosa que puede suceder en esta crisis es perder el trabajo. Entonces no podrán pagar su renta, alimentar a su familia, pagar sus deudas, etc.. Incluso con el seguro del desempleo, habrá dificultades considerables. He visto esta situación manejada de dos maneras básicas. Por un lado, una persona puede entrar en una depresión, lo que resulta en la falta de acción. Una vez tuve un comandante oficial al mando en la marina. Había sido un capitán de submarino, y luego fue ascendido a Comandante Oficial de la base de la Marina donde estaba sirviendo. La Marina decidió que tenía demasiados oficiales superiores y redujo los rangos. Por causas ajenas a su voluntad, este comandante fue retirado involuntariamente con pensión completa y prestaciones. Tenía poco más de 50 años. En lugar de buscar otro trabajo, se sentó en casa y se deprimió. Su esposa fue a trabajar como bibliotecaria de la escuela para ayudar a pagar sus deudas. Ella estaba frustrada. Él se sentía inútil, a pesar de que tenía una carrera distinguida en la Marina. Y su fe no era muy fuerte y sin oración. Por otro lado, un caso distinto. Un joven recién graduado con un buen título en negocios. Se fue a presentar solicitudes en todas las empresas de contabilidad habituales. Se presento muy bien en sus entrevistas de trabajo. Sin embargo, no le llegaban ofertas de trabajo. Sin desesperarse, siguió aplicando. Siguió entrevistando. Pero seguía sin recibir ofertas. Sin embargo, no se rindió. Fue diario a misa. Rezó para que Dios le abriera una puerta. El confió. Finalmente, como tenía hambre y no tenía mucho dinero, decidió almorzar en la cafetería de un hospital. Sabía que la comida sería buena y barata. Mientras comía, emprendió una conversación con una enfermera en la mesa y le compartió su situación. Ella le dijo que no sabía si el hospital necesitaba otro contador, pero que si estaban buscando a alguien para trabajar con madres que eran drogadictas y sus hijos recién nacidos. Fue entrevistado y contratado inmediatamente. Semanas después, dijo que se sentía mucho más satisfecho ayudando a cuidar a los "bebés adictos" que si estuviera trabajando en una oficina comercial. Él confió, y el Señor lo puso en el lugar correcto.
Yo sé que mi Redentor vive!
Ser cristiano no significa que tendremos una vida sin sufrimiento. Pero sí significa que las promesas del Señor para nosotros se cumplirán. Y la promesa principal es que Él ha vencido el sufrimiento y la muerte. Y guiará a todos los que se unen a él a través del bautismo y la Eucaristía a una resurrección de entre los muertos. Y pequeñas resurrecciones aquí, durante nuestra vida terrenal.
Yo sé que mi Redentor vive! Y nunca te defraudará.
¡Con mis oraciones y bendiciones por un Triduo sagrado y una Santísima Pascua!
Dear Sisters & Brothers,
I know that my Redeemer lives. (Job 19:25).
I've been holding on to that verse these past weeks. When I feel afraid, it gives me comfort and strength. By saying My Redeemer Lives, it means that no matter what happens to us or our country in these weeks, Christ has risen. He overcomes all pain, suffering and uncertainty. He doesn't take it away, but He -- and all those who are His disciples -- will overcome.
What is the worst that can happen to us during this time? We could catch coronavirus and die. But is death the end? Not for those who believe in Christ and are baptized. I remember back to 1985, TWA flight 847 was hijacked in Athens by. terrorists. There were some US soldiers and sailors among the passengers. They were beaten, and one of them, sailor Robert Stethem, was shot in the head, and his body dumped out of the plane onto the tarmac. A few weeks later at his funeral in the US, his brother, also a sailor, got up to speak. For as long as I live, I will never forget his words: "I know that if my brother were here today, he would want to say one thing. 'That no matter what happens, God reigns.'" Although that sailor was mourning the loss of his brother, his faith -- and his brother's faith -- was paramount.
I know that my Redeemer lives.
The next-worst thing that can happen to us in this crisis is losing our job. Then you can't pay the rent, feed your family, pay your bills, etc. Even with unemployment insurance, there will be significant hardship. I've seen this situation handled in two basic ways. One, a person goes into a depression, resulting in inaction. I had a Commanding Officer (C.O.) in the Navy once. He had been a submarine captain, and then was C.O. of the Navy base where I was serving. The Navy decided it had too many senior officers and thinned the ranks. Through no fault of his own, he was involuntarily retired. With full pension and benefits. He was in his early 50's. Rather than look for a job, he sat home and sulked. His wife went to work as a school librarian to help pay the bills. She was frustrated. He felt worthless, even though he had a distinguished Navy career. And his faith was not very strong. No prayer.
Another case. A young man recently graduated with a good business degree. Put in applications at all the usual accounting firms. Presented well on his interviews. Yet no job offers. Undeterred he kept applying. Kept interviewing. Still no offers. Yet he didn't give up. Went to daily Mass. Prayed that God would open a door for him. Trusted. Finally, being hungry and not having much money, he decided to have his lunch at a hospital cafeteria. He knew the food would be good and cheap. While dining, he struck up a conversation with a nurse at the table and revealed his situation. She told him that she didn't know if the hospital needed another accountant, but they were looking to hire someone to work with mothers who were drug addicts and their newborn children. The fellow interviewed and was hired on the spot. Weeks later he said he felt so much more fulfilled helping take care of "crack babies" than if he were working in a business office. He trusted, and the Lord put him in the right place.
I know that my Redeemer lives.
Being a Christian does not mean we will have a life devoid of suffering. But it does mean that the Lord's promises to us will be fulfilled. And the main promise is that He has overcome suffering and death. And He will lead all those who are joined to him through baptism and the Eucharist to a Resurrection from the dead. And smaller resurrections here, during our earthly life.
I know that my Redeemer lives. And He will never let you down.
With my prayers and blessings for a most Sacred Triduum and Blessed Easter!
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The Masses that Bishop Barber will celebrate will be live streamed from the Cathedral. To view them please go to CCTL Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/ctlcathedral.org/
We know this confuses some of the faithful. PLEASE be assure that you absolutely can watch the feed WITH OUT joining Facebook. When you click on the link to the Mass, a pop-up comes asking you to sign in or join Facebook, simply scroll down to the bottom of the pop-up and click “not now.” You can then follow the Mass broadcast.
Here is the link to the schedule of Masses:
https://www.oakdiocese.org/news/holy-week-schedule-for-cathedral-of-christ-the-light
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Finally, the Office for Mission Advancement is assisting all the parishes in the Diocese with an online giving portal. If you wish to support your parish, simply follow this link:
https://www.oakdiocese.org/parish-support
The form is easy to complete. Note: 100% of your gift will go directly to the parish you designate. The Diocese is covering all the processing and fees.
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Music of Holy Week by Colleen Lenord, Music & Liturgy Director at Newman Hall-Holy Spirit Parish
Click on the image to view the service
Covid-19 or no Covid-19, our faith must go on. Covid-19 is here to and will be gone tomorrow, hopefully sooner than later. However, our God and our relationship with God are forever. We are still in the season of Lent, the penitential time of penance and preparation for the great celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection. So as we enter into the holiest week of our Church year, this is a good time to reflect together as a community on our failings individually and communally. And once recognized and owned, to draw up God’s mercy through our gracious Lord, that forgiveness, healing, and renewal may be ours. Please go to our YouTube link or our Facebook Video link. Due to social distancing constraints, we are not able to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation with you, but we trust in God’s mercy. And we look forward to the day when we can together celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation and summit of sacraments that forgives sins, the Sacrament of the Eucharist.