February 28, 2021

During the season of Lent, we tend to think more of sin. Of the seven deadly sins, pride is one that can be good or bad. Having appropriate pride in your achievements is always a good thing, excessive pride in your accomplishments is not. It is when we move from thinking “I have done this well” (always with God’s help) to thinking “I am the only one who could do this” that we enter the realm of sin. Pride is a deadly sin because it refuses to acknowledge our reliance on God and gives all credit to ourselves. Whenever we place God outside our experience, we are surely in danger of being in the realm of sin.

You can think of it like this: a grain of wheat needs water, but if it only gets water, it is bloated and will not grow. It needs light, but if it only gets sunlight, it will not grow. But planted in the earth, the grain of wheat dies to itself. Then, surrounded by moisture and seeking the light, the grain of wheat grows, properly nurtured by everything around it. If we rely only on ourselves, our pride leads us to a false sense of importance, and a sure occasion of sin.

All of our COVID 19 protocols continue as we gather for worship. Masking and social distancing are a must. Our present regulations allow for 50% capacity in our churches, and you may notice more persons here. We are glad so many are being vaccinated, but that does not mitigate the need to be cautious. We will keep you apprised of what we are doing in this regard, and how we can all keep one another safe.

May God bless you all in this Lenten season; we thank you all for your continued support.

February 14, 2021

This coming Wednesday, February 17, is Ash Wednesday, and Lent begins. Our parish will have three Masses on Ash Wednesday, and three prayer services for the distribution of ashes. At the 7:00 AM and 12:05 Mass at Saint Mary, and the 9:00 Mass at Saint Agnes, ashes will be distributed at the conclusion of the Mass, and then you will go directly out. There will be a service of Ashes at 4:00 PM at Saint Mary Church, and a service of Ashes at 12:05 and 7:00 PM at Saint Agnes Church. Ashes will be sprinkled on your head, not imposed by touching the person. There will be a free will offering collected at each Ash Wednesday Mass and service, all proceeds to benefit the Beth El Shelter. There is never an obligation to receive ashes.

Beginning in Lent, we will hold Stations of the Cross on Friday evenings at 7:30 PM at Saint Agnes Church, and we will begin again the Novena of the Miraculous Medal on Monday evenings at 7:30 PM at Saint Mary Church. There will be music at each, but no congregational singing. Of course, all other COVID19 protocols will be followed, mask wearing, social distancing, etc. During the season of Lent, there will be three daily Masses Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM at Saint Mary, 9:00 AM at Saint Agnes, and 12:05 PM at Saint Mary.

The State of Connecticut has relaxed the capacity requirements for religious worship, allowing for 50% capacity in churches. We will continue to have every other pew blocked off, and of course follow all other protocols, including cleaning. You may notice more and more parishioners returning to Mass, and the church will appear more crowded. If you are not comfortable with this, the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass is extended to May 23, 2021. We thank those who continue to support us, whether in person or from home.

Many of our parishioners are being vaccinated, as are all our priests. While this affords a comfort about being “in touch” with so many of you, this will not lead any of your clergy, and should not lead any of you to be less cautious about your health or the health of your fellow parishioners. Please continue to follow all precautions as you have, so we can continue to minister to you as safely as we are able. When the majority of us are vaccinated, a return to a former normalcy will be in sight. May we all pray during this lenten season that we can have an Easter celebration this spring that truly celebrates that life triumphs over death, that love is always stronger than death.