Dear Friends,
In the face of the near hysteria that seems to prevail on most news networks, I am reminded of the poignant statement of President Franklin Roosevelt, made at the time of the massive economic depression that plagued our country in the 1930's: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In light of this, I would urge reasoned calm as we as a people deal with the coronavirus outbreak. By all accounts at this writing, it is not universally fatal and it will not likely reach the stage of the Black Death or the Bubonic Plague that resulted in the deaths of millions in the Middle Ages. We live in modern times with advanced medicine and, contrary to what you may be hearing, the government, especially through the Centers for Disease Control, seems to be on top of the situation.
That being said, we should not take the coronavirus lightly. It demands caution and preparedness on the part of us all. For our part, we are adhering to what Archbishop Blair has asked us to do. Holy water will not be available in the fonts at church entrances for the foreseeable future, although you can still obtain some to take home with you. All are strongly encouraged to receive Holy Communion in the hand rather than on the tongue, since it seems that the virus tends to be more easily transmitted through saliva and droplets of moisture in the air. The indignation on the part of a few who object to the strong encouragement to receive Holy Communion in the hand seems to forget the important distinction between WHOSE BODY AND BLOOD WE RECEIVE IN HOLY COMMUNION, which is paramount, and how the Eucharist is received, be it on the tongue or in the hand. One can receive Holy Communion just as reverently in the hand as on the tongue. Once the virus ebbs and the danger subsides, that encouragement will be relaxed. Of course, there are some who, for reasons of disability or the inability to use their hands effectively, may need to continue to receive Holy Communion on the tongue and they are certainly encouraged to do so.
Beyond these developments, we will do our best to insure that the churches are both kept as clean and sanitary as possible. If anyone feels ill, be it with a cough or a fever or shortness of breath, he or she should see their medical provider and until feeling better, stay home. The Archdiocese provides for a daily televised Mass at 10:00 AM, found on Channel 20 in this area. If you cannot make it to church, you are encouraged to tune in for that Mass.
Apart from this, I would urge all parishioners to pay close attention to what is happening at the capitol in Hartford. A number of proposed bills are up for consideration in this short session.
There is a bill that will legalize assisted suicide, which must be opposed adamantly, as must a bill that would allow the attorney general to restrict the functioning of pregnancy counseling centers that offer women who are considering abortion a choice to choose life for their child and not death. The Governor has proposed funding Planned Parenthood, an absolutely evil organization, to the tune of well over a million dollars. Not only is this proposal foolhardy in a time of massive state budget deficits, it allows more public funding for an organization which, contrary to what it claims, is really only about one thing, abortion. Please check the website of the Connecticut Catholic Conference and contact our state legislators asking them to oppose this legislation.
Have a good week in spite of it all!