God Opens Our Graves
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LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AROUND THE DIOCESE March 29, 2020 Fifth Sunday of Lent (A) 12:10 DAILY MASS & SATURDAY ADORATION AT ST. THERESA’S The Bishop’s Ez 37:12–14 / Rom 8:8–11 as well as Lectio Divina are all suspended until further Notice. Corner Jn 11:1–45 or 11:3–7, 17, ST. THERESA’S GIFT SHOP: CLOSED until further Notice. 20–27, 33b–45 MSA: CLOSED until further Notice. Dear Fellow-Catholics, CARITAS HOUSE OF PRAYER (236-5877) As we continue to In hospital corridors and in seclusion, they face the live under the restrictions cause by the pandemic, we want you epidemic of the Coronavirus every day. It is an army of nuns who, far from to know that each day at our morning prayer together we pray media flashes, give the sick precise help and surround them with prayer. “We God Opens Our Graves for the people and the intentions listed in our intention book that know that we can get infected and even die, but we want to serve to the end,” but a second chance at life. Ezekiel compares the reestablishment of ancient Israel after the says Sr. Lancy Ezhupara of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camille It is not ghosts that come out of these graves, people use when they come for Quiet Wednesday. If you would de Lellis. She runs a hospital in Treviso with one hundred and twenty infected exile with the dead rising alive from their graves. They are filled with God’s spirit, God’s power of life, and they have a second chance at living. like to add a name or inten-tion, please e-mail us the names/ Coronavirus patients. Only the graciousness of God could imagine such a marvel; only the power of God could accomplish it. Jesus performs an even greater marvel. intentions to [email protected] He actually brings Lazarus back from death, giving him a second chance at living. Once again, only the graciousness of God could imagine The St. Camille sister confesses that the additional, fourth vow, made in her such a marvel; only the power of God could accomplish it. Jesus is that graciousness and that power, as he declares: “I am the resurrection Here is a refl ection for this week: We have entered into the congregation (apart from the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience) is now fi nal two weeks of Lent, a period formerly called Passiontide. gaining special significance. “Each of us has vowed to serve the sick even and the life” (John 11:25). On Ash Wednesday none of us could have anticipated how our at the cost of our own lives and we live out our service in this spirit,” says Sr. After its reestablishment, Israel was not immune to failure, nor was Lazarus exempt from eventual death. That was not the point. The point Ezhupara. She points out that her congregation runs five hospitals in Italy Lent would unfold. On this fi rst Sunday of Passiontide our Gospel was a demonstration of divine generosity at that particular moment. As seen in the Gospel reading, the point is Jesus’ self-identification: “I am and that in three of them (Treviso, Brescia and Cremona) there are currently the resurrection and the life.” What follows is paradox: Those who live in him will not die; even if they die, they will live. tells us of Je-sus weeping over the death of his friend, Lazarus Coronavirus victims. The medical staff also needs spiritual support from the and then his call-ing him forth from the dead. These days we sisters, who, despite the lack of sufficient resources, bravely helps those in Joined to the one who is the resurrection and the life, we too will FOR Reflection are more aware of the sufferings and deaths of our brothers and need. be raised from our graves and be transformed into a new life. We will sisters throughout our COVID-19 infested world, even as we never again face failure, as did the Israelites, or death, as did Lazarus, We were plunged into death and rose to new life at baptism. Sister Ezhupara says “Perhaps in the past couple of years our fourth vow Does your life give evidence of this? are denied being able to be physically present at Mass. Christ has been a bit forgotten, because we have not had to face such far-reaching for the Spirit of Jesus will live in us. has promised to be with us always so, yes, He is with us during epidemic challenges. Now we discover and relive it as we are at the forefront In what ways does your life manifest the Spirit working —Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA through you? this time of fear and anxiety. He invites us to trust that God can of the fight against the infection. More victims of the virus are still coming to bring good out of evil and hopefully, when this pandemic is over, our hospitals. Not only our sisters, but all of our lay staff are very generous. We each of us will be stronger and will have real-ized in new and still have a shortage of medical supplies, but day after day the civil defense is trying to provide all of our staff with the necessary disinfectants and protective profound ways what are the really important things in life. During clothing. However, because public health services are overloaded, the situation You shall know that I am these days let us be conscious of those we know who live alone. is really difficult, even critical in as much as how we can accept patients. “ Give them a call and ask if they need help. Martha’s act of faith the LORD, when I open your The Sisters of Seclusion are also involved in the fight against the Coronavirus. in telling Jesus that even with her brother dead she knows that In one of the monasteries in Bergamo, a loudspeaker was placed on the graves and make you come whatever He asks of God, He will accomplish. Let our own belief balcony, through which prayer flows into the city. “Our phone is still ringing. up out of them, my people! in the resurrection fi ll us with hope. Let us remind ourselves of People ask for prayer for their loved ones, sick friends, and moreover the Saint Paul’s words to the Romans: “We know that all things work overworked doctors and nurses are asking for us to support them with our EZEKIEL 37:13 for good for those who love God…” May these days be ones of prayer,” says Sr. Maria Teresa to the Vatican Radio. peace and trust for all. “Fifty Italian priests have already fallen in an unequal fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, and who have served the faithful to the end,” Sisters Dolores and Judith. emphasizes Bishop Antonino Raspanti, Vice President of the Italian Episcopal Conference. Most priests, as many as seventeen, have died in the Bergamo region, six in Parma and Piacenza, four in Cremona and the Archdiocese of Milan, three in Brescia, one in Lazio, Trento, Bolzano, Reggio Emilia, Casale Monferrato, TERSTOCK Tortona and Ariano Irpino. The first death of a priest in southern Italy was T also noted. In the diocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, a 45-year-old priest /SHU died, Alessandro Brignone, so far being the youngest victim of the coronavirus R among Italian priests. It is estimated that several priests are infected and are STOCKE in hospitals or at home quarantined. T AR Let us remember all those who are at the fore front of the battle with COVID-19, / risking their own lives by bringing assistance to the sick. Stay sane and safe! MEUNIERD Bishop Wes ST. MICHAEL’S PARISH P.O. BOX HM 727, HAMILTON, HMCX BERMUDA 51 South Road, Paget, PG 03 A WORD FROM Pope Francis T: 441 236-2166 E: [email protected] Pastor: Rev. Joseph F. H. Morley • Cell: 705 0236 • Email: [email protected] Vocations: Fr. Toby Collins www.vocationculture.ca I invite you to think for a moment, in Pastoral Council Chairperson: Glenn Clinton (c) 526 0000 Pastoral Council Finance Chair: Robert Mason email: [email protected] (h) 292 3178 silence, here: Where is my interior Pastoral Council CCD Coordinator: Patricia Carreiro email: [email protected] (c) 737 1047 Community Building Committee Chair: Grace Lovecchio email: [email protected] (h) 236-5006 necrosis? Where is the dead part of my soul? Where is my tomb? …And to Weekend Masses: Vigil: 5:45pm, Sunday: 8:30 & 11:00am Weekday Masses: Thursday at 7:00pm remove the stone, to take away the Eucharistic Adoration: Thursday 7:30 — 8:30 pm stone of shame and allow the Lord to Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession): Saturday at 5:00-5:30pm say to us, as he said to Lazarus: “Come Baptisms: by appointment 3 weeks in advance Weddings: by appointment 6 months in advance out!” —HOMILY, APRIL 6, 2014 www.facebook.com/stmichaelpaget & ‘‘LIKE’ us Diocesan Webpage: www.romancatholicbermuda.bm Fi h Sunday Even though we cannot come together at “UNBIND HIM; LET HIM GO FREE” of Lent Re ection St. Michael’s to worship, may we continue The famous Irish novelist Colm Toibin comes from Wexford and is a master wordsmith. He can describe the most minute details of to pray for one another growing up and his observation of people and situations around him. One of his novels called ‘Brooklyn’ was made into a fi lm a couple of years ago and proved very successful.