Diocese St. Theresa’s Cathedral “CARITAS”, HOUSE OF PRAYER P.O. Box Hm 1191, Hamilton HM EX, Bermuda 1) All programs at Caritas have been suspended until Tel: 441-292-0607 – Fax: 441-292-2477 further notice as is our ministry to the nursing homes and Office Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. hospital. Diocesan Website: www.romancatholicbermuda.bm 2) You may be interested to know that Robert Email: [email protected] Baron has his daily Mass on you tube…the beauty of this is

Bishop Wes Spiewak C.R., that you can watch it at any time of day/night. Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda 3) As we continue to live under the restrictions cause by the Chancery Office & Holy Calvary Cemetery Office pandemic, we want you to know that each day at our Tel: 2324414- [email protected] morning prayer together we pray for the people and the IN RESIDENCE: Rev. Julio Blazejewski, C.R. intentions listed in our intention book that people use when Portuguese Episcopal Vicar they come for Quiet Wednesday. If you would like to add a Visiting: Permanent David Swain name or intention, please e-mail us the names/intentions to St. Vincent de Paul Society Parish Representatives: [email protected]. Joanne Judd & Tom Sinclair Parish Catechetical Coordinator: (CCD) Anne Amarasinghe Here is a reflection for this week: [email protected] We have entered into the final two weeks of Lent, a period St. Theresa’s Gift Shop: 292-0416 formerly called Passiontide. On Ash Wednesday, none of us Shop Hours: 10 a.m. – 2 pm - (Tuesdays, Thursdays & Saturdays) could have anticipated how our Lent would unfold. On this first Sunday of Passiontide our Gospel tells us of Jesus ALL scheduled meetings and devotions have been suspended weeping over the death of his friend, Lazarus and then his until further notice calling him forth from the dead. These days we are more Confessions: Saturday at 5:30pm – 6pm or by appointment aware of the sufferings and deaths of our brothers and Baptisms: By appointment – 5 weeks in advance sisters throughout our COVID-19 infested world, even as we Weddings: By appointment – 1 year in advance. are denied being able to be physically present at Mass. Christ Lenten Pre-Marriage Course is required for all weddings has promised to be with us always so, yes, He is with us here or elsewhere during this time of fear and anxiety. He invites us to trust that Facebook: Our Catholic Diocese is on Facebook. Visit our God can bring good out of evil and hopefully, when this page & “LIKE” us & join our on-line community pandemic is over, each of us will be stronger and will have realized in new and profound ways what are the really Parish important things in life. Bishop Wes will privately celebrate one Sunday Mass for the intentions of the parishioners of St. Theresa’s Parish. During these days let us be conscious of those we know who The faithful in their homes are asked to be united in prayer. live alone. Give them a call and ask if they need help. All Mass intentions will be rescheduled for a later date. Martha’s act of faith in telling Jesus that even with her brother dead she knows that whatever He asks of God, He St. Theresa’s Cathedral will be open daily (Monday to will accomplish. Let our own belief in the resurrection fill us Friday) from 7:00am to 4:30pm and on Saturdays from with hope. Let us remind ourselves of Saint Paul’s words to 8:00am to 6:30pm. On Sundays, the Cathedral will be open the Romans: “We know that all things work for good for from 7:45am to 12:45pm. The Blessed Sacrament will be those who love God…” May these days be ones of peace and exposed on the main altar from 8:00am - 12:30pm trust for all. Sisters Dolores and Judith

The current situation will be re-evaluated before Palm Many people feel powerless in the face of this pandemic. We Sunday, 5th April, 2020, and then any further decisions will see in a devastating way how widely a virus spreads person be made. to person. We have confidence that God allows the good that we do, our prayer and our actions, to make a positive impact Sunday Offerings Online on brothers and sisters. As encourages us, “Let Please make direct payments to St. Theresa’s Cathedral at us call upon him today, firmly rooted in prayer, for without the Bank of Butterfield A/C #20006060482732100 and prayer all our activity risks being fruitless and our message include “Sunday Offering” in the memo field. empty.” (Evangelii Gaudium, No. 259)

BISHOP’S CORNER

Dear Fellow-Catholics,

In hospital corridors and in seclusion, they face the epidemic of the Coronavirus every day. It is an army of nuns who, far from media flashes, give the sick precise help and surround them with prayer. "We know that we can get infected and even die, but we want to serve to the end," says Sr. Lancy Ezhupara of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Camille de Lellis. She runs a hospital in Treviso with one hundred and twenty infected Coronavirus patients. The St. Camille sister confesses that the additional, fourth vow, made in her congregation (apart from the vow of poverty, chastity and obedience) is now gaining special significance. "Each of us has vowed to serve the sick even at the cost of our own lives and we live out our service in this spirit," says Sr. Ezhupara. She points out that her congregation runs five hospitals in Italy and that in three of them (Treviso, Brescia and Cremona) there are currently Coronavirus victims. The medical staff also needs spiritual support from the sisters, who, despite the lack of sufficient resources, bravely helps those in need. Sister Ezhupara says "Perhaps in the past couple of years our fourth vow has been a bit forgotten, because we have not had to face such far-reaching epidemic challenges. Now we discover and relive it as we are at the forefront of the fight against the infection. More victims of the virus are still coming to our hospitals. Not only our sisters, but all of our lay staff are very generous. We 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 clothing. However, because public health services are overloaded, the situation is really difficult, even critical in as much as how we can accept patients. " The Sisters of Seclusion are also involved in the fight against the Coronavirus. In one of the monasteries in Bergamo, a loudspeaker was placed on the balcony, through which prayer flows into the city. "Our phone is still ringing. People ask for prayer for their loved ones, sick friends, and moreover the overworked doctors and nurses are asking for us to support them with our prayer," says Sr. Maria Teresa to the Vatican Radio. "Fifty Italian priests have already fallen in an unequal fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, and who have served the faithful to the end," 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, Tortona and Ariano Irpino. The first death of a priest in southern Italy was also noted. In the diocese of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno, a 45-year-old priest died, Alessandro Brignone, so far being the youngest victim of the coronavirus among Italian priests. It is estimated that several priests are infected and are in hospitals or at home quarantined.

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!

Bishop Wes

Lord Jesus,

You traveled through towns and villages curing every disease and illness among the people. At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now in this health crisis so that we may know your healing love. Heal those who are sick: may they regain their health and strength. Heal us from our fear, which prevents us from helping one another. Heal us from our pride, which makes us certain of our health and life apart from you. Bless health care professionals with strength and compassion as they selflessly respond to our needs.

We make this prayer in your strong and holy name, You, who with the Father and Spirit, live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.