Dear Friends:
As you read these words, we have finally completed the celebrations of First Communion and Confirmation in an unusual and strange year. I presided at five celebrations of Confirmation for over one hundred young people and adults, having been given authorization to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation by Archbishop Blair. While Confirmation is normally conferred by a bishop (and rightly so) on special or unusual occasions, priests can be authorized to confer the sacrament. Given the COVID19 pandemic which continues to afflict us, and given that four of the five active bishops are over the age of seventy and more at risk of serious complications from the virus, the Archbishop decided that for this year, pastors who requested the faculty (or authorization) to confirm would be granted it. For me, it was a great privilege to confirm so many young people and several adults as well. The celebration of the sacraments with young people, be it Baptism, First Communion or Confirmation always gives me pause and good grounds for hope in the future.
I, along with Fr. Sam and Fr. Lijo, celebrated four First Communion Masses for children in our school and religious education program. The First Communion Masses, while somewhat scaled down due to restrictions on singing and moving about, were, nonetheless, beautiful. The day one receives First Communion is always a memorable one, and the children who received First Communion this year will remember it both for its significance and the unusual times and circumstances in which it occurred.
I am in the process of preparing my letter asking parishioners for their support of the Annual Collection. Even in these times of COVID19, we must do what we can to maintain and improve our parish facilities both at St. Agnes as well as St. Mary. You, the people, have been most generous in your support of the parish, as you always are. I know that I can count on your support of this vital collection, and given the times, please do the best that you can, given your own financial circumstances.
I have a request from those who open the parish collection envelopes and count the collections. Please do not use excessive scotch tape or staples. It can make their work more difficult and can result in ripped currency or checks.
Have a good week!