Alvin Fu St. Parish 604 West 8th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C8 6610 Balmoral Street, Burnaby, BC V5E 1J1 Phone: 604-434-1328 Fax: 604-434-3038 T: 604-873-0180 [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.sfds.ca

Division of Kwik Kopy Printing

The closest and most fruitful union Pastor: Father Thomas Smith between husband and wife is that which is effected in holy devotion. Assistant Pastor: Father Tomson Egirious St. Francis de Sales

Religious Education Coordinator Marguerite Goldsmith [email protected]

Office Staff: Mora Kerr Danka Mak

Parish School School Principal: Mrs. Irene Wihak

Ornella Hatzisavva-Secretary Phone: 604-435-5311 Fax: 604-434-4798 [email protected] Pre-School: 604-434-3311

De Sales Ministry for the Deaf Signed Mass at 9:00 AM on Sundays

Pastoral Worker: Sr. Glenys Symons 604-434-7775 Cell Text 604-838-1206

St. George's Melkite-Greek Catholic Mission Byzantine Rite Mass at 1:00

pm on Sundays

Pastor: Fr. Edward Ibrahim

778-251-8270 [email protected] Website: http://gm.rcav.org

St. Vincent de Paul Society Help Line: 604-434-1328

Domestic Abuse Help Line: 604-640-7549

Sunday Mass Schedule: Weekday Mass Schedule: Devotions:

Saturday: Divine Chaplet & Rosary 5:00 pm Mass of Anticipation DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS 7:30 am Weekdays 8:10 am Saturdays Sunday: ALL MASSES HAVE BEEN 9:00 am Children’s Liturgy of the Word Liturgy of the Hours Signed Mass CANCELLEDNO School Mass UNTIL Friday, January 16 Monday—Saturday after Mass 11:00 am FURTHER NOTICE. Holy Hour 1:00 pm Byzantine Rite Mass 9:15 am Thursdays

7:00 pm Evening Mass 6:00 pm First Fridays

Confessions: Charismatic Prayer Group By appointment 7:30 pm Wednesdays

(At this time please call or email the Legion of Mary parish office) 6:30 pm Wednesdays

PRAYER FOR THE SICK DURING COVID-19 Stewardship Reflection Dear , Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we April 19, 2020 - 2nd Sunday of Easter ( Sunday) From the Jerusalem Catechises turn to you in this time of illness.

Baptism is a symbol of Christ’s passion O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry “Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be You were led down to the font of holy baptism just as Christ was taken down from the cross and placed in the and sorrow with your gentle , and grant us the grace with you.’” (John 20:19) tomb which is before your eyes. Each of you was asked, “Do you believe in the name of the Father and of the Son and and strength to accept this burden. of the Holy Spirit?” You made the profession of that brings salvation, you were plunged into the water, and three Are you good at making people feel welcome? When you meet times you rose again. This symbolized the three days Christ spent in the tomb. Dear , we place our worries in your hands. someone new, like a new neighbor, a new work colleague or a new As our Savior spent three days and three nights in the depths of the earth, so your first rising from the water parishioner, do you make them feel at home? Many of us can represented the first day and your immersion represented the first night. At night a man cannot see, but in the day he We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that walks in the light. So when you were immersed in the water it was like night for you and you could not see, but when you restore your servant to health again. probably do a much better job at this. When we make people feel you rose again it was like coming into broad daylight. In the same instant you died and were born again; the saving welcome, we make them feel like they are included instead of being water was both your tomb and your mother. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and excluded. We are made for relationships – with God and each Solomon’s phrase in another context is very opposite here. He spoke of a time to give birth, and a time to die. know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. other. A simple “hello” and a smile goes a long way. For you, however, it was the reverse: a time to die, and a time to be born, although in fact both events took place at Amen. the same time and your birth was simultaneous with your death. This is something amazing and unheard of! It was not we who actually died, were buried and rose again. We only Copyright © 2020 Archdiocese of St. Louis did these things symbolically, but we have been saved in actual fact. It is Christ who was crucified, who was buried IN LOVING MEMORY and who rose again, and all this has been attributed to us. We share in his sufferings symbolically and gain salvation During the weekend of May 3, we will in reality. What boundless love for men! Christ’s undefiled hands were pieced by the nails; he suffered the pain. I publish our “In Loving Memory” column for Dear Parishioners, during this worldwide crisis affecting each one experience no pain, no anguish, yet by the share that I have in his sufferings he freely grants me salvation. our loved ones who passed away in the of us, the work of our local Church and our parish is crucial. As a Let no one imagine that baptism consists only in the of sins and in the grace of adoption. Our baptism month of May If you wish to have someone community we are continuing to care for the spiritual and is not like the baptism of John, which conferred only the forgiveness of sins. We know perfectly well that baptism, included in this column, besides washing away our sins and bringing us the gift of the Holy Spirit, is a symbol of the sufferings of Christ. That emotional needs of many individuals and families – and we are is why Paul exclaims: Do you not know that when we were baptized into Christ Jesus we were, by that very action, please phone/email the Parish office looking for new ways to reach out to those isolated and afraid. sharing in his death? By baptism we went with him into the tomb. BY Wednesday April 29. With Mass attendance greatly reduced and an unknown future ahead, the Sunday collection has taken a major hit while our (Liturgy of the Hours, Lenten and Easter Season, Thursday within the Octave of Easter, office Reading: Second Reading, parishes expenses continue. I do recognize the financial impact Page 596-597) this crisis has had on so many. We ask only that you offer your continued support of our parish according to your means. To make

Our Beloved Departed it easier for you to help the parish help others, the Archdiocese has Pope Offers Prayer to The Virgin Mary for Protection A Prayer to Combat the Coronavirus Pandemic set up a simple way to give online. This will make it easy for

parishioners to support their own parish by a weekly or monthly  Erwin Mazzoleni O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a Most merciful and Triune God, sign of salvation and . We come to you in our weakness. gift made by credit card or direct debit. Funds go directly to our Father of Claudia Mazzoleni We come to you in our fear. parish. Donations can be made at: Grandfather of Claire & Esther Escobedo We come to you with trust. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick. For you alone are our hope. Passed away April 15, 2020 (right click on your mouse and select Open Hyperlink) or copy At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain, We place before you the disease present in our world. and paste the link onto your address browser.  with steadfast faith. We turn to you in our time of need. Rebecca Francisco www.rcav.org/sunday-offering Grandmother of Alyssa De Leon You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need. Bring wisdom to doctors. Give understanding to scientists. Passed away Easter weekend in the Philippines Endow caregivers with compassion and generosity. Thank you to those parishioners who have already committed to We are certain that you will provide, so that, Bring healing to those who are ill. as you did at Cana of Galilee, joy and feasting might return pre-authorized giving at our parish – your support has been and Eternal Rest Grant unto them O Lord Protect those who are most at risk. after this moment of trial. Give comfort to those who have lost a loved one. will continue to be critical for our parish operations during this Welcome those who have died into your eternal home. difficult time. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the Father’s will and to do what Jesus tells us. Stabilize our communities. Prayers for Health Care workers during Unite us in our compassion. Sincerely, COVID-19 He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our Remove all fear from our hearts. Fill us with confidence in your care. sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the If you are a parishioner who works in health Fr. Thomas Smith care and would like your name added to our Resurrection. Amen. Jesus, I trust in you. weekly bulletin prayer intentions. Please call or Jesus, I trust in you. We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God. email the parish office. Jesus, I trust in you. Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and Amen. deliver us from every danger, O glorious and blessed Virgin. FOOD DONATIONS Please note we are still — The author of this beautiful prayer is unknown, except to accepting donations of non perishable food for Please note if you subscribe to “Living with the Lord. If you know who the author is, please let us know the food bank. If you would like to donate please Christ” and would like your MAY copy. so we can give proper acknowledgement. If a temporary call the parish office. Please call or email the parish office and we attribution is needed, you are welcome to say: “Author un- can arrange for you to pick it up. known. Posted on AscensionPress.com". Sunday of Divine Mercy - Homily Prayers of Spiritual Communion: The Disciples barricade themselves in a room for fear of the Jewish authorities. What they really fear is death itself. The fear of death has crippled them from opening up to the message of Jesus. If there is no life after earthly When we are unable to receive Holy Communion sacramentally, we can death, what is the point? If there is no promise homeland (heaven) that we will exodus into, what value does our relationship with Jesus give us. If earthly life is all we have what is its purpose, its meaning? Why am I here? In the receive great graces and blessings by expressing our desire to do so in Old Testament, the Jewish people had the same questions and were promised the same new life with God. We see what is called a “spiritual Communion.” This practice goes back many that prophesied by the prophet Ezekiel. (Ezek. 37: 1-28) in the valley of dry bones. “Thus says the Lord God: Behold centuries and has a rich tradition. I will open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people; and I will bring you home….” All the passages of Scriptures today bring out this point that Jesus has fulfilled the Scriptures. By breaking the bond of death, He has There are different models for doing this, but they all have these steps in common: fulfilled Ezekiel’s prophesy. Jesus is showing His disciples that He has conquered death through His own death and resurrection. He does this by showing them that He is alive. He shows the apostles that He is not a disembodied Make an act of faith: Jesus, I believe that You are really present in the Holy Eucharist. . . spirit, but that He has a body that they can feel and touch, a body that can eat. However, it is a glorified body which is not held by time and space, so that he can come into locked rooms without using the door and appear and Make an act of love: Jesus, I love You because You are all-good and deserving of my love. . disappear. This point is driven home by his appearing the second time eight days later to the Apostles. In ancient . times a person did not carry around ID to prove who they were. They were identified by their scars. For example: a person might be identified as John with a scar on his left forearm. Jesus is using this same custom. He is identified Make an act of desire: I want to receive You in Holy Communion, the Gift You have chosen as Jesus who has nail hole scars in His hands and feet and a lance cut in His side. These marks identified Him to be above all others to share Yourself and Your life with me. who He claims to be, Jesus who was crucified. Since it is truly Jesus, then He truly has risen from the dead. Consequently, verifying that He is the Son of God. Invite Jesus to come into your heart: Please come into my heart, my life and everything I Jesus then prepares them for their mission to proclaim to the world the mercy of God through the forgiveness of do. . . sins, which will bring peace into their lives. This means that Jesus has come to remove everything that keeps us from Him, from being bonded to death. He gives us the new life of freedom, which is the Holy Spirit within us. Even if loss Thank Him for being truly within your heart and again through sin can be resurrected through the mercy of Jesus in the sacrament of Confession. This realization that You can simply use these words or expand on them in your own way. Remember to pray for others too, just as you Jesus has risen from the dead and the new life of the Holy Spirit within them changes the Apostles from being men would if you were at Mass and who live in fear, to men enflamed with the fire of Jesus’ love and empowered by His strength. They no longer fear receiving Sacramentally/physically death, because they know that it is only an exodus to the most intimate relationship with the Trinity, which fulfills every desire and need for love. They now are open to the message of Jesus and see in it the road map to total fulfillment in human life. They see in Jesus the mercy of God who was willing to become man so that He could suffer and die for us in-order that we could always be with Him. What love and mercy! We celebrate Here is a classic version of Spiritual Communion: to appreciate this great love and to show our gratitude for this sacrifice, which joined humanity and divinity forever. Spiritual Communion Prayer by Saint Alphonsus Liguori As we continue at this time to make sacrifices for the wellbeing of our country, may we realize that this love and sacrifice will bring benefits in our own lives, because Jesus always brings good in unexpected ways from the trials and My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I long difficulties of our lives. We may grow as a person, become more loving, or appreciative for the good things in our for You in my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my lives. We may even find that helping others at this time has brought us joy and happiness. Let us continue to help heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You, never each other through these difficulties in as many way as we can imagine. And in doing so fill the world with the Divine Mercy and love of Jesus. Fr. Smith permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

Monday April 20 8:15 am Lucia & Nicholas Goncalves, INT Dan & Kathy Sickavish Please remember in your prayers all those in Please remember in your prayers all those our parish who are sick especially, in our parish who have died especially, Tuesday April 21 Catrina Noble, Chris Kwan, Taylor Johnson, Erwin Mazzoleni, Rebecca Francisco, 8:15 am Joseph Myung & Family, INT (Cecilia Myung) Ken Miller, Herbie Jim, Etto Myra, Hilda Luciano & Lisa de Simone and Estaquio

Mudespache Olga Makuch, Gordon Clark, Jack Palma Sr. Wednesday April 22 8:15 am Genuina Tavares, RIP (Edriz MacDonell) Campbell, Irene Decena and Claudia Mazzoleni.

Thursday April 23 8:15 am Snjezana Mutapcic, INT (Veronica Gasparovic)

Friday April 24 8:15 am Artenio Yam, RIP (Gladys Jung) Please remember in your prayers all those in our parish who are health care Saturd ay April 25 workers especially, 9:00 am Presentacion Siasoco, RIP (Naomi Mendoza) Christine Pimentel and Jean Trinidad. Lorenza Sparacino, RIP (Grace Zenone)

Sunday April 26 11:00 am Sarafim Machdo, RIP (Maria Silva) Rosindo Ywayan, RIP (Susan & Jesus Ywayan) Prayer of Consecration to the Divine Mercy ST. FRANCIS DE SALES PARISH Jesus, the Divine Mercy, I consecrate my entire life, from this day on, to You without reserve. Into Your hands I abandon my past, my present, and my future; Divine Mercy Sunday Celebrations from this day forward make me a true follower of Your teaching. Let Your Divine Mercy Image, protect my home and my family from all the powers of evil in this world today. May all who venerate it never perish, may it be their joy in life, their hope in death, and their glory in O Eternal Love, You commanded Your Sacred Image to be eternity. Amen. painted, to reveal to us the inconceivable fount of your mercy. You bless whoever approaches Your rays, a soul all black will turn to snow. O sweet Jesus, it is here You have established the throne of your The Divine Mercy Chaplet & Prayers mercy to bring joy and hope to sinful people. From Your open heart, as from a pure font flows comfort to a repentant heart and Opening Prayer soul. All: You expired Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth for , and an ocean of mercy opened May praise and glory for this image never cease to stream from up for the whole world. O Fount of Life, unfathomable Divine Mercy, envelop the whole world and our soul. May the praise of God’s mercy pour from every heart, empty Yourself out upon us. , which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a now, and at every hour, and forever and ever. fount of mercy for us, I trust in You! (3 times) O my God, when I look into the future, I am frightened, but why Our Father…., Hail Mary…., I believe in God…. plunge into the future? Only the present moment is precious to On the five large Our Father beads: me, as the future may never enter my soul at all. Leader: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and It is no longer in my power to change, correct or add to the past, for neither sages nor prophets could do that, and so, what the past Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ has embraced I must entrust to God. All: In atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. I present moment, You belong to me, whole and entire. I desire to On the 10 Hail Mary beads say the following: use as best I can, and although I am weak and small, You grant Leader: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion me the grace of your omnipotence. All: Have mercy on us and on the whole world. And so, trusting in Your mercy, I will walk thro life like a child, offering You each day this heart, burning with love for Your greater glory. Conclude with: All: Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world. (3 times) “Act in such a way that all those who Closing Prayer come in contact with you will go away Maria Faustyna Kowalska, also known as Saint Maria joyful. Sow happiness about you All: Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look Faustyna Kowalska of the Blessed Sacrament and because you have received much from kindly upon us and increase Your mercy in us, those in difficult moments we might not despair nor popularly spelled Faustina, was a Polish Roman Catholic God, give then generously to others. become despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your Holy Will, which is Love nun and mystic. Her apparitions of Jesus Christ inspired They should take leave of you with and Mercy itself. the Roman Catholic devotion to the Divine Mercy and their hearts filled with joy, even if they earned her the title of "Secretary of Divine Mercy". have no more than touched the hem of your garment.” St. Maria THREE O’CLOCK PRAYER Divine Mercy, accompanying us through our whole life, I trust in You

“You died Jesus, but the source of life flowed out for souls and the ocean of Divine Mercy, embracing us especially at the hour of death, mercy opened up for the whole world. O fountain of life, immeasurable Divine Mercy, cover the whole world and empty Your self out upon us.” Divine Mercy, endowing us with immortal life,

“O Blood and Water which flowed out from the heart of Divine Mercy, accompanying us at every moment of our life, Jesus as a Fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You.” Divine Mercy, shielding us from the fires of ,

Divine Mercy, in conversion of hardened sinners, “Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” (3X) Divine Mercy, astonishment for Angels, incomprehensible to Saints,

Jesus, King of Mercy, I trust in You! Divine Mercy, unfathomed in all mysteries of God,

Divine Mercy, lifting us out of every misery,

Divine Mercy, source of our happiness and joy, St. Faustina’s Praises of the Divine Mercy (D.E. 948-949)

Divine Mercy, in calling us forth from nothingness to existence,

Divine Mercy, gushing forth from the bosom of the Father, I trust in You Divine Mercy, embracing all the works of His hands,

Divine Mercy, greatest attribute of God, Divine Mercy, crown of all of God’s handiwork,

Divine Mercy, incomprehensible mystery Divine Mercy, in which we are all immersed,

Divine Mercy, font gushing forth from the mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, Divine Mercy, sweet relief for anguished hearts,

Divine Mercy, unfathomed by any intellect, human or angelic, Divine Mercy, only hope of despairing souls,

Divine Mercy, from which wells forth all life and happiness, Divine Mercy, repose of hearts, peace amidst fear,

Divine Mercy, better than the heavens, Divine Mercy, delight and ecstasy of holy souls,

Divine Mercy, source of miracles and wonders, Divine Mercy, inspiring hope against all hope I trust in You Divine Mercy, encompassing the whole universe,

Divine Mercy, descending to earth in the Person of the Incarnate Word Eternal God, in whom mercy is endless and the treasury of compassion inexhaustible, look Divine Mercy, which flowed out from the open wound of the Heart of Jesus, kindly upon and increase Your mercy in us, that in difficult moments we might not despair nor become Divine Mercy, enclosed in the Heart of Jesus for us, and especially sinners, despondent, but with great confidence submit ourselves to Your holy will, which is Love and Mercy

Divine Mercy, unfathomed in the institution of the , itself. (D.E. 950)

Divine Mercy, in the founding of the Holy Church, O incomprehensible and limitless Mercy Divine, to extol and adore You worthily, who can? Supreme attribute of Almighty God, You are the sweet hope for sinful man. (D.E.951). Divine Mercy, in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism,

Divine Mercy, in our through Jesus Christ, I trust in You

Televised Mass: SFdS Catholic Resources for The Family In compliance with the BC government’s recent declaration of of emergency, I hope all our community members are

Salt + Light TV has communicated that they have made arrangements with cable companies across Canada (Rogers, practicing social distancing or self-isolation. When faced with uncertainty such as COVID-19 pandemic, we look for solace and certainty. Below, SFdS parish has compiled a list of useful Catholic resources to help you and your loved ones to find Bell, Telus, Shaw Direct, Videotron) so that Salt + Light TV is available free of charge to all subscribers until 1 May guidance in Christ. Please feel free to share this information with those who may seek additional support for their spiritual 2020. This means that any person who subscribes to cable TV will be able to access Salt + Light TV and therefore the guidance:

Daily TV Mass and Sunday TV Mass produced by National Catholic Broadcasting Council. Weekly Sunday Gospel reading:

The channel number on each cable company that carries Salt + Light TV can be found at saltandlighttv.org/sub... https://rcav.org/prayer-and-spirituality-mass-readings/

Daily Mass: https://dailytvmass.com/ http://saltandlighttv.org/live/

Resources for Mass – PDF: Online Homily and Sunday Mass:

https://www.ewtn.com/ The CCCB General Secretariat has received word from Novalis that during this current health crisis, they are willing to post on https://www.visiontv.ca/ their websites PDFs of the pages from Living with Christ for each upcoming Mass, so as to allow people to download them for free. Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire: The English version of the Sunday Mass Readings and prayers from Novalis can be found at: livingwithchrist.ca/in... wordonfire.org Ascension newsletter: [email protected] Marriage Anniversary Mass 2020 Loyola Press: Celebrate your Milestone Anniversary with us! This Mother’s Day, Archbishop Miller will be honouring couples celebrating their 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th & 60th+ years of marriage. Mass will be https://www.loyolapress.com/sundayconnection live streamed on YouTube from Holy Rosary Cathedral on Sunday, May 10, at 11 a.m. All are welcome to witness and celebrate the milestone anniversaries of others! Register online at rcav.org/marriage-anniversary https://www.loyolapress.com/our-catholic-faith/family/catholic-kids

Fr. Mike Schmitz YouTube channel (Ascension Presents): has many short videos that answer questions about the Catholic Church Good for gr 7 and up

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVdGX3N-WIJ5nUvklBTNhAw

The Gospel of Mark: Good News Announced, Opposed, and Vindicated www.jesuitprayer.org . On the Feast of Saint Mark, join Father Nick Meisl as we investigate the important characteristics and themes of the Father Ron Rolheiser https://ronrolheiser.com/ Gospel of Mark and grow in our appreciation of how its message can inspire our life of discipleship. Join us on Sat- urday, April 25 from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Zoom. Register online at rcav.org/calendar Especially for families and children Our Sunday Visitor https://teachingcatholickids.com/ Email Fraud Warning https://mycatholickids.com/ The Archdiocese has received multiple reports from parishioners and priests who have fallen victim to a recent Internet email phishing scam. Imposters, posing as priests and using email addresses that are similar to those of our https://www.facebook.com/mycatholickidscompany/ priests, have been emailing people asking for personal donations, gift cards, and other forms of financial assistance. https://www.catholicmom.com/catholic_kids.htm Never respond to emails requesting Google Play cards, iTunes cards, or any other form of personal financial assistance, even if it appears to be from a priest, deacon, religious, parish staff or bishop. If you have any doubt, https://www.catholicfaithstore.com/ please contact the sender by other means to verify any requests. https://bustedhalo.com/ On Twitter @NCRegister , @Church_POP , @frmikeschmitz @BishopBarron and so on.

On Instagram, trustgodbro, risenapparel , proverbsdaily , undisputedfaith , and wisdomfeed . Catholic Faith on Demand COMMON HOPE IN A SURREAL PANDEMIC by Dr. Tod Worner April 13, 2020 Share

Get Thousands of Movies, Programs, Audio and Books instantly Son, in thirty-five years of religious study, I’ve come up with only two hard, incontrovertible facts; there is a God, and, I’m not him.—Fr. Rudy Cavanaugh, Parishioner Registration for St. Francis de Sales parish subscription: When the considerable dust settles and the pedantic minds and punctilious grammarians have had their say, I’m [The step number corresponds to the Formed-#.jpg i.e. 20200403-SFDS-Formed-1.jpg] willing to wager that the word of 2020 will be “surreal.” Several months ago, who would have conceived that, in 1. Go to weblink: FORMED.ORG short order, our country would completely shut down? And now look at us: No kids in shockingly fluorescent soccer Click on SIGN UP jerseys scrambling up and down a muddy soccer field. No Friday night at the movies followed by a pint or two at the local pub. Concerts are rescheduled. Sports are on hiatus. Restaurants have been shuttered. Businesses are 2. Click on I belong to a Parish now operating from family room couches and kitchen tables. 3. In the Box Find your Parish Type in: St. Francis de Sales BC The President briefs us daily. Television screens are awash with curves and tallies. We’ve seen more people in gowns, masks, and face shields than we have since Dustin Hoffman starred in the Ebola thriller Outbreak. And we Then click on blue-highlighted St. Francis de Sales 6610 Balmoral St. have all found a new favorite uncle in Dr. Tony Fauci. (in Canada, an auntie, Dr. Bonnie Henry and Dr. Teresa 4. Then on the new webpage showing Create a New Account Lam). And who knew that toilet paper, Clorox bleach wipes, and frozen French fries would almost be worthy of the Click on the blue-highlighted Next black market? This is the pandemic of 2020. Surreal. 5. Then on the next webpage Type in your Name and email in the boxes provided But here is the thing: notwithstanding the threat of this illness to the elderly, the immunocompromised, and the Then click on Sign Up frequently exposed, there has been something striking about what happens when we slow down and stay at home. When is the last time you played so many board games, assembled puzzles, or had consistent engagement with 6. The next webpage should show a box with Check your email your spouse and kids day after day? How long has it been since you took so many walks? When did you last If not displayed, Sign Off or Logout appreciate your house for its different rooms, the driveway, and the backyard? What have you realized about what 7. Check your email, the one you used in step 5. you want and what you really need? What have you discovered about what you have said is important and what you have found is truly important? When did you pray so much, laugh so much, and talk so much with your family? Open the FORMED email (from support) and How much have you hungered for your church community, your school community, your extended family, and your Then click on Sign in now friends? 8. Then the FORMED webpage displays Your are now signed in Perhaps the silver lining in this tragic disruption of society is that we are forced, at times, to sit down and be still. Click on blue-highlighted Start Watching Yes, to consider the risks of illness and death. But also to consider life and what it truly means. Pope Benedict XVI 9. Then the webpage displays from watch.form.org/browse once observed of our distracted, overly occupied lives, “Put simply, we are no longer able to hear God—there are Click on your selection (Program, Movies, Audio, etc.) too many different frequencies filling our ears.” As we reflect in these unparalleled times, we need to know what we 10. When you are done, you can sign off or log out can control and what we cannot. We need to resolve to be kinder, to be more intentional, to live for the things that truly matter and let go of the things that don’t. There is one sure truth about this pandemic that comes from ancient and the display goes to the Sign In and type in your Email address. wisdom: this too shall pass. 11. Say a prayer of thanksgiving and send an email to Fr. Smith on how you find FORMED.org --- to the parish office email: As our social distancing, our lockdowns, and our quarantines drag on, let us remember that this earthly Lent we’ve just concluded—this time in the isolated wilderness, this era in the darkened tomb—was emphatically finished by [email protected] the Christ of the Resurrection. Easter cries “Liberated!” to the prisons and catacombs of yesterday, as well as the hospital wards and family rooms of today. “You are free, my child,” we are told. “You are made well.”

Albert Camus’ seminal work The Plague takes place in a town on the Algerian coast quarantined amidst the ravages of the bubonic plague. Rieux, the physician and conscience of the tale, reminds his fearful and flagging friend, “There’s one thing I must tell you: there’s no question of heroism in all this. It’s a matter of common decency. That’s an idea which may make some people smile, but the only means of fighting a plague is—common decency.”

In the weeks and months to come, for our families, friends, and that stranger we see (properly distanced) in a grocery store, pharmacy, or on the street, let’s say a prayer, share some hope, and practice common decency. For only a decency that emanates from the unconquerable hope of Christ—the risen Lord—can dispel the surreal existence we find ourselves in today. We are told in good confidence, “In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). Be hopeful. Be of good cheer. Soon—very soon—we’ll be together again.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Tod Worner is a husband, father, Catholic convert & practicing internal medicine physician. His blog, “Catholic Thinking”, is found at Aleteia.com.