Bishop Brennan Blesses Farms in Diocese on Feast of St
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CLASS OF 2020 GRADUATION SPECIAL SECTION INSIDE CatholicThe TIMES The Diocese of Columbus’ News Source May 24, 2020 • SOLEMNITY OF ASCENSION • Volume 69:32 Inside this issue Memorial Day: May God bless the heroes who have faithfully and dutifully served our country and in some cases given their lives to safeguard our well being and freedom, Rick Jeric writes in his Everyday Cathollic column, Page 4 Slowing down: Holy and Healthy columnist Lori Crock has discovered during the coronavirus pandemic and stay-at- home order the spiritual benefits of taking each day at a slower pace, Page 5 Ascension: Father Timothy Hayes looks at the Ascension of the Lord into heaven this week in his Scripture column and the profundity of Jesus Christ’s reassurance that, ‘I am with you always,’ Page 7 BISHOP BRENNAN BLESSES FARMS IN DIOCESE ON FEAST OF ST. ISIDORE Page 3 Catholic Times 2 May 24, 2020 Bishop Brennan’s letter to the diocese on the reopening of parishes Bishop Robert Brennan has pro- mon good and the ue to be available the obligation is dispensed, individuals vided more details about the “soft” dignity of human by appointment. who wish to participate at Mass and re- opening of churches in the Diocese of life. The medical During the week ceive Holy Communion might consid- Columbus that the Ohio bishops an- and public safe- of May 25, 2020, er coming at a less crowded time, per- nounced Friday, May 8. ty officials have some churches haps during the week. The Cathedral In a letter dated May 13, the bishop been warning us will begin to cel- will continue to broadcast Mass each said daily Mass would begin at some urgently that gath- ebrate Weekday day on St. Gabriel Radio and to stream parishes on Monday, May 25. Some ered assemblies Mass publicly via our diocesan YouTube channel as churches have been open for prayer of persons was under limited cir- will many of our parishes. since Monday, May 11, and priests gravely dangerous cumstances as We will need to be flexible with have been hearing confessions by ap- to the individuals the Churches are last minute changes to schedules, and pointment. present and to the ready. further changes may be necessary The bishop also mentioned some common good. On the weekend even after we begin. Out of care for of the procedures that will be imple- Faced with these of the great So- you, the priest is subject to the same mented to offer Mass in adherence to dangers, we have lemnity of Pente- obligation not to offer Mass if he is the guidelines and safety procedures exercised together cost, May 30/31, showing even the slightest signs of required in the wake of the coronavi- our moral respon- 2020, most of our not feeling well. No one is required rus outbreak. sibility to safeguard human life and to churches will begin the public cele- to receive Holy Communion and the The following is the bishop’s letter: allow the local healthcare systems to bration of Sunday Mass. Please note, reception of Holy Communion on the manage the care of the sick. This pru- many things to which we are accus- hand is strongly encouraged. Please Dear Friends, dential judgment on our part required tomed will be different. Schedules be respectful of the guidelines for so- With the anticipation of reestablish- great sacrifice for all in the Church. will need to be modified for a variety cial distancing and please understand ing public worship, we must do so in a You have also sacrificed in various of reasons. Not every Church will that when the Church has reached ca- way that does not irresponsibly place ways these days. For us, as Catholics, be prepared, and some parishes may pacity allowed for health and safety the health of our people in grave dan- the loss of our Sunday gathering for need to work together. As a matter reasons, we cannot admit any more ger. We are still learning a lot about the worship is a great sacrifice. You have of fact, since the fall we have been people under any circumstance. COVID-19 Coronavirus, we have seen made these sacrifices in a spirit of ex- looking at ways that we might need Please take the time to read care- its tragic force in the death of so many treme charity and I am deeply grateful. to adjust schedules so that priests and fully the guidelines. And most of all, people. We pray for all those who have These measures we have undertaken parishes might work together and, in please pray. Pray for me, for your par- died these months as well as for those together, we are advised, have made some cases, we may need to do so ish priests and the teams with whom who mourn. We have also seen hero- a difference. Our plans for reopening right away. We also need to leave time they are working to prepare for the re- ic efforts by those particularly in the need therefore, to respect all those sac- to disinfect the churches and we may turn to public worship. These days the health care field but so many others rifices in a way that is responsible with need to change locations to accommo- Gospels take us spiritually to the table who in invisible ways have provid- care for the well-being of individuals date some of the larger populations. of Jesus with his Apostles on the night ed for our needs. We are all united in and of the wider community. Parishes are not in competition but of the Last Supper. Reading these sincere gratitude for the work and the As one public official told me, the rather meeting the individual needs chapters little by little (John chapters sacrifices of these people. COVID-19 Coronavirus will be with using the guidelines we are implant- 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17) might be a good We also pray for and give thanks us for a long time and we need to learn ing. I thank you in advance for your spiritual preparation. And know that I for those who have prudently guided how to live with it. Many of the dan- understanding. pray for you with gratitude every day. us through these difficult times at the gers of gathered assemblies remain. The All Catholics in the Diocese of Co- national, state, and local levels. In par- measures proposed in our guidelines lumbus are dispensed from the obli- Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us. ticular, we are grateful for the respect, and the work that is being done at the gation to attend Sunday Mass at least which the state of Ohio has shown, for parish level will help to mitigate those through September 13, 2020. Please, Most Reverend Robert J. Brennan our religious rights and liberties. At no dangers to some degree. Cognizant of if you have any concerns, do not come Bishop of Columbus point have they disparaged our essen- your many sacrifices, I need to ask pa- at this point. In fact, I encourage all to tial right and duty to worship Almighty tience and flexibility as we begin this follow the public guidelines here in C TORREC ION God at the sacrifice of the Mass on Sun- process of the return to public worship. Ohio as much as possible. If you are day and encounter the Risen Lord in A photo that appeared in the May 17 This week some churches are be- in one or more of the “high risk” cate- edition of The Catholic Times honoring the Eucharist. Rather, partnering with ginning to open for individual prayer. gories, it is still too early to come out. the significant ordination anniversaries of our brothers and sisters in the civil or- The hours will be limited and subject And, of course, if you are experiencing diocesan clergy was incorrectly identified der, we prudently decided that though to the necessities of social distanc- any signs of illness, you have a serious as Father Dwayne McNew, who is divine worship is an essential activity ing. Meanwhile Confessions contin- obligation to stay at home. Given that celebrating his 25th anniversary this year. so also is the protection of the com- Front Page photos: Bishop Robert J. Brennan: President & Publisher BISHOP BRENNAN Doug Bean: Editor ([email protected]) Tim Puet: Reporter ([email protected]) BLESSES FARMS On Friday, May 15, the feast K. Colston-Woodruff: Graphic D esigner of St. Isidore, Bishop Robert Mailing Address: 197 E. Gay St., Columbus OH 43215 Brennan offered blessings Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved. Editorial/Advertising: (614) 224-5195 FAX (614) 241-2518 at farms in the diocese near Catholic Times (USPS 967-000) (ISSN 745-6050) is the official Subscriptions: (614) 224-6530 FAX (614) 241-2573 newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, Ohio. It is Cardington and London, where published weekly 45 times per year with exception of every other ([email protected]) he also fed a lamb and calf week in June, July and August and the week following Christmas. while learning more about ag- Subscription rate: $25 per year, or call and make arrangements Postmaster: Send address changes to Catholic Times, 197 E. Gay St., Columbus riculture. CT photos Ken Snow with your parish. Postage Paid at Columbus OH 43218. OH 43215. Please allow two to four weeks for change of address. May 24, 2020 Catholic Times 3 Bishop Brennan learns joys, challenges of farming By Jerry Freewalt farm families of the diocese. Then it was off to Madison County to visit On May 15, the feast of St.