Update #3 – 3.16.2020
Dear Parish family,
As we continue to experience the disruption to our normal routines, I wanted to give you some more updates on actions the parish is taking during these very fluid times, and to share with you some spiritual resources that I hope will strengthen you during these times of uncertainty.
Most recently, Governor Hogan has banned any gathering of more than 50 people in the State of Maryland, which follows recently released guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Because of this new guidance, I regretfully am cancelling our Tuesday Adoration for the time being. I know this is a further blow to those who have been looking forward to it, but feel this is for the best. The Governor said the next 48 hours are critical in our State. The church will still remain open and we will still offer Confessions at our usual times.
Next, as I celebrate my Masses in private, I am still giving homilies and am now recording them. So I recorded the homily for this past Sunday and for today’s daily Mass. I will continue to do so until we have a resumption of public Masses. Please go to our website (http://www.stmaryslaurel.org/lenten- homilies) or Facebook page to access them.
I am also providing some further online spiritual resources that may be helpful to you, including a link to several local parishes who are livestreaming their daily Masses in private. These links and other resources are below but you can also go to our website to access them.
We are taking food donations to our parish pantry. Please drop them off in the vestibule of the church and we will take care of them.
Our parish is also pro-actively reaching out to all registered parishioners age 70 or above by calling the numbers they supplied us in our directory. We will simply be doing a well-ness check to see how they are doing, if they have a family member or friend regularly checking up on them, etc. If you have a neighbor or know someone who might need this kind of call, please email Gretchen Magno at [email protected].
Pope Francis yesterday visited the Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray in front of a special icon of Mary, called Salus Populi Romani (Health or Protectress of the Roman People). He later walked to San Marcello on the Corso, where a miraculous crucifix is housed. In 1522 it was carried in procession throughout the neighborhoods of the city so that the “Great Plague” might cease in Rome. With his prayer, the Holy Father pleaded for an end to the pandemic that has struck Italy and the world. He also implored the healing of the many sick people, remembered the numerous victims of these past days, and asked that their families and friends might find consolation and comfort. His prayer intention was also extended to healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, and all those working in these days to guarantee the smooth functioning of society.
Mary, Mother of Divine Love, pray for us.
Fr. Anthony Lickteig
Spiritual Resources:
Local livestreamed Masses: https://adw.org/live-streamed-masses-and-prayers/ Magnificat is providing complimentary access to their online version to help people pray from home. o English: https://us.magnificat.net/free o Spanish: https://latina.magnificat.net/gratis The Archdiocesan website has audio and written Stations of the Cross: https://adw.org/coronavirus-dispensation-and-prayers/ Our archdiocesan Sunday TV Mass is available online: https://adw.org/parishes-masses/sunday- tv-mass/ Here is a prayer by Pope Francis to Mary during the coronavirus pandemic: https://adw.org/text-of-popes-prayer-to-mary-during-coronavirus-pandemic/ Nightly Telephone Rosary – Council of Catholic Women in the Archdiocese of Washington - Seven nights a week at 8 pm o Dial 605-468-8016 and enter code 357090#