Dear Friends in Christ, On everyone's mind is, of course, COV-19 or the Coronavirus. We continue to monitor the situation both on the diocesan and the parish level. I ask all parishioners please to observe the everyday preventative behaviors:
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water;
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a handkerchief or sleeve (not your bare hand);
- Wash commonly used surfaces;
- Stay home when sick (especially the elderly).
For more information, see the diocesian website.
Some have expressed concern about the reception of Holy Communion on the tongue, due to the possible spread of germs through that contact. The concern is well taken. At the same time, I do not want people to be unaware of the same possibility when receiving Communion in the hand. Germs are also spread through hand-to-hand contact (hence, we dropped the exchange of peace at Mass). And a minister of Holy Communion almost always touches the hands of a communicant receiving in the hand and rarely touches the tongue of one receiving in that manner.
The reality is simply that close contact between minister and communicant is both necessary and, unfortunately, a possible occasion for germs to spread. I do not want to discourage the reception of Holy Communion. But if one is uncomfortable doing so at this time, please remember that it is not necessary at Mass. One can make a spiritual communion in its place (https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/act-of-spiritual-communion-339).
Since prayer is always our most powerful asset, I ask that all parishioners participate in a novena to Saint Joseph, specifically for an end to the Coronavirus crisis. March is the month dedicated to Saint Joseph and the 19th is the Solemnity of Saint Joseph. To prepare for that feast, we should begin the novena Tuesday, March 10th. Our heavenly Father entrusted His only-begotten Son to the care of Saint Joseph. With that truth in mind, we should entrust our needs to him as well, with complete confidence that he will direct all things to God's glory and our good.
I propose one of these two novenas, one longer and one shorter:
1. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/devotions/novena-to-st-joseph-304.
2. https://www.praymorenovenas.com/st-joseph-novena.
Please choose one of these novenas and pray it daily beginning Tuesday, March 10th for an end to the Coronavirus.
Through the intercession of our Lady, Saint Joseph, and Saint James may the Lord bless you always.
Sincerely in Christ, Fr. Scalia