Search
During this pandemic, we are all homebound
-
April 30, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are given an opportunity to reflect on what it is like to be homebound.
Prior to the pandemic, many people in our parishes were not able to attend Mass because of illness and the effects of old age. Over the years of ministry, I have had many inspiring conversations when visiting people who are homebound. Their deep faith and the desire that they have for our Lord in the Eucharist is moving. Many have been quite faithful in attending Mass Sunday after Sunday for their whole lives, and now they grieve that they cannot attend Mass.
Due to the stay at home order that we are all observing, we now experience what it is like to be homebound. May we grow in love and awareness of people who are homebound and in nursing homes and unite our sacrifice of having to stay home with the sacrifice of Christ for their benefit.
Though we may not be able to visit the homebound in person at this time, consider making a phone call to any homebound people that you know. They are often lonely and forgotten. Let us remember them!
The Catholic Church has been a consistent defender of the dignity of all human life. The temporary closure of the churches and suspension of the public celebration of Mass provide a visible testimony of the sacrifice that we are all making to protect the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
Nonetheless, I long for the time when we will be able to open again. I am engaging in consultation with priests and health experts to discern how we can reopen responsibly and practically. Though we are still working on these directives, when the time comes to reopen it is clear to me that the process will be gradual, and attendance will be limited. We will have to observe strict social distancing, so I ask for your patience, understanding and cooperation.
For example, the CDC advises that people who are at greater risk stay home. This includes people who are age 65 or older or have other compromising health conditions. If you fall into this category, please stay home. Your observance of the directives and sacrifice by continuing to stay home will allow us to reopen. For those who are not at greater risk, I ask your gracious cooperation with the social distancing directives that are provided.
In addition, a number of our priests also fall into the category of people who are at greater risk. Thus, when we initially reopen, it is advisable that they refrain from the public celebration of the Sacraments.
That means in some of our parishes the churches may be open for people to come and pray, but public Mass will not be able to be offered, unless a priest who is not at greater risk can be found who can travel to offer Masses there periodically. For the sake of the health of our priests, and their ability to remain in ministry for many more years, it is better for us the sacrifice the availability of the Sacraments for the short term.
I hope that you have found this update helpful. Let us unite our hearts to the Lord and trust in him. You are daily in my thoughts and prayers.
For updates on the diocese’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, including updated recommendations and directives, livestream and recorded Masses, spiritual resources and more, visit www.dioceseofmarquette.org/response.
