Dear Friends,
The increasing number of cases of the delta variant of COVID-19 has us all concerned. As of this writing, there is no mandate for the wearing of masks while in church. Each of you, based on the circumstances of your own health and your vaccination status, are free to wear a mask or not to do so. However, if you have not been vaccinated, you are asked to wear a mask at all times while in church for the purpose of protecting yourself and if you have children, especially under the age of twelve, them as well. The Archbishop has mandated that those distributing Communion must wear masks for the time being.
I have received requests to write letters in support of an exemption from receiving the COVID-19 vaccination based on religious beliefs. I have denied such requests because there is no basis in Catholic teaching for not receiving a vaccination that is essentially safe and serves as an effective protection against the virus. The vaccines in use in this nation, especially the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, have been determined by the Pontifical Academy for Life based at the Vatican, as well as the National Catholic Bioethics Center, the United States Bishops and the Bishops of Connecticut to be morally acceptable. While we respect the primacy of conscience and will not, as a Church, insist that everyone be vaccinated against COVID-19, one cannot use Catholic teaching as a basis to not be vaccinated. Instead, as an alternative, one might consider approaching one’s physician or health provider and seek some kind of letter from them based on health concerns. May we continue to pray for an end to this pandemic once and for all and for a quick return to normalcy of life.
We continue to watch with concern the devastation that has taken place in Haiti due to a major earthquake as well as the chaos that has overtaken Afghanistan after the withdrawal of American troops and the retaking of that country by the Taliban.
We pray for the people of Haiti and the people of Afghanistan that they will not suffer unduly from either natural or man-made sources of disaster. We will be checking on the status of our twinned parish, St. Therese in Marbial, Haiti, to see what the extent of destruction has been and what the needs are. We will advise in coming bulletins what may be done by us to help the people of Marbial.
One final announcement: the Sacrament of Confirmation will be conferred by Archbishop Blair here at St. Mary’s on Wednesday, November 3, at 7:00 PM. Further details will be announced as we enter into the fall season.