PUBLIC MASSES SUSPENDED
Beloved in Christ, As a result, of the new recommendations by the CDC, Archbishop Kurtz has instructed that all public Masses will be suspended until further notice. After discussion with Fr. Beach, Pastor of St. Martin of Tours, we will be broadcasting a recorded Mass of the day at the standard appointed time. I will broadcast weekday Masses at a schedule to be announced. Today's Mass at 5:30 p.m. is cancelled. I will be saying Mass privately today with our community as my Mass intention. This is a difficult time for all of us. God has been with his Church through many times of difficulty, and he is with us still. He has promised not to leave us orphans. Adoration will continue at St. Martin of Tours. Christ is always present with us, both in sacrament, and wherever two or three are gathered. Let this fast from the sacrament be for us a time of increasing our hunger for Our Lord, and of increasing gratitude for the grace we have had in unfettered public worship for so long in our communities. Let it also increase our solidarity for Christians who have been without the public celebration of the Mass for long periods. Christ is always with us. I have included two forms of Acts of Spiritual Communion below. When you feel absent from the sacrament, take time and say one. Christ is always with us. Let us also never forget to pray for those in need. If you find yourself in need of supplies, a sacramental visit from me, prayer, or conversation, please reach out to me.
IN UNION, dear Lord, with all the faithful at every altar of thy Church where the blessed Body and Blood are being offered to the Father, I desire to offer thee praise and thanksgiving. I believe thou art truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. And since I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, I beseech thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself unto thee, and embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. Let me never be separated from thee. Let me live and die in thy love. Amen. I WORSHIP thee, Lord Jesus, and kneeling unto thee, as thou didst come to Mary, I pray thee come to me. O most loving Jesus, O most blessed Saviour, come to me, I beseech thee, and unite me to thyself. Though I cannot now receive thee sacramentally, yet I believe that thou art able, even when received by faith and desire only, to heal, enrich and sanctify me. Come thou spiritually into my heart. I desire to unite myself to thee with all the affections of my soul. Possess me wholly; let the consuming fire of thy love absorb me, and thy presence abide so intimately in me, that it will be no longer I that live, but thou who livest in me. Come, Lord Jesus, and dwell in my heart. Amen.
Our Lady and St. John is working on other potential online activities, such as Bible Study and Daily Office as ways we can stay in touch. We will let you know more as we settle on what to do. May God bless and keep all of you. O MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Faithfully in Christ Jesus, Fr. Jonathan
