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- April 5, 2020 MESSAGE FROM POPE FRANCIS Pope’s special Urbi et Orbi blessing: ‘God turns everything giving their lives, including medical personnel, supermarket to our good’ clerks, cleaners, priests, police office rs, and volunteers. This, By Devin Watkins he said, “is the force of the Spirit poured out and fashioned Symbols of faith in courageous and generous self-denial.” On Friday, March 27th, Pope Francis prayed for the Stripped of our self-sufficiency world at this critical juncture in the presence of two images Pope Francis said faith begins “when we realize we are in that have accompanied the people of Rome for centuries: need of salvation” and are not self-sufficient. the ancient icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani – usually If we turn to Jesus and hand Him our fears, said the Pope, housed in the Basilica of St. Mary Major – and the He will conquer them. miraculous crucifix kept in the church of San “Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good Marcello on the city’s Via del Corso. everything that happens to us, even the bad things. He Most importantly, the Pope exposed the Blessed brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never Sacrament for adoration and imparted his Apostolic dies.” Blessing, offering everyone the opportunity to receive a So God asks us now, in the midst of the tempest, “to rea- plenary indulgence. waken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capa- Evening meditation ble of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours But first, Pope Francis offered a meditation on the crisis when everything seems to be floundering.” facing the world, reflecting on a passage from the His cross is our hope Gospel of Mark (4:35-41). Jesus’ cross, said Pope Francis, is the anchor that has “For weeks now it has been evening,” said the Pope. saved us, the rudder that has redeemed us, and our hope, “Thick darkness has gathered over our squares, our streets because “by His cross we have been healed and embraced and our cities; it has taken over our lives, filling everything so that nothing and no one can separate us from His with a deafening silence and a distressing void, that stops redeeming love.” everything as it passes by; we feel it in the air, we notice it “In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from a in people’s gestures, their glances give them away.” lack of tenderness and chances to meet up, and we In this situation, he said, we feel afraid and lost, like the experience the loss of so many things,” he said, “let us once disciples whose boat was in danger of sinking while Jesus again listen to the proclamation that saves us: He is risen slept at the stern. and is living by our side.” All in the same boat So we embrace His cross in the hardships of the present The Covid-19 pandemic has reminded us that we are all time, and make room in our hearts “for the creativity that on the same boat, said Pope Francis, and so we call out to only the Spirit is capable of inspiring.” Jesus. The disciples ask Him, “Teacher, do you not care if “Embracing the Lord in order to embrace hope: that is the we perish?” The Pope said these words would have shaken strength of faith, which frees us from fear and gives us Jesus, “because He, more than anyone, cares about us.” hope.” The storm, said the Pope, exposes “our vulnerability and Turning to the Lord uncovers those false and superfluous certainties around Concluding his meditation, Pope Francis entrusted us all to which we have constructed our daily schedules” and lays the Lord, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin bare “all those attempts to anesthetize ourselves”. Mary, so that our faith might not waiver in this time of crisis. What is revealed, he said, is “our belonging as brothers and sisters”, our common humanity. “Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith? Peter’s rock -solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all Pope Francis then picked up the thread of Jesus’ of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health question: “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” He of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this said we have all gone ahead “at breakneck speed”, colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may ignoring the wars, injustice, and cries of the poor and our God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. ailing planet. “We carried on regardless, thinking we Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and would stay healthy in a world that was sick.” comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith In our stormy sea, we now cry out: “Wake up, Lord!” is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at Now is the time of choosing the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Mt Really, said Pope Francis, it is Jesus calling out to us to 28:5). And we, together with Peter, ‘cast all our anxieties be converted, calling us to faith. onto you, for you care about us’ (cf. 1Pet 5:7).” “You are calling on us to seize this time of trial as a time of choosing,” he said. Now is not the time of God’s judgment, but of our own: Stewardship Quote … “Blessed is the one who comes in “a time to choose what matters and what passes away, a the name of the Lord!” shout the crowds in today’s Gospel. time to separate what is necessary from what is not.” May we be always ready to share our blessings when we The Pope said we can draw lessons from the many are sent in His name? people who – even though fearful – have reacted by Catechist’s Corner Catechist’s Corner continued Entering the Passion with Christ like Never Before be more joyous than EVER before!! Please join me in praying This is the “Lentiest-Lent” that I have ever experienced. this prayer (from the Holy Week edition of the Magnificat, In the midst of the planned prayer, fasting, and almsgiving which you can access virtually for free as a worship aid at typical of this penitential season, our world began https://us.magnificat.net/free) to prepare ourselves for this experiencing a global pandemic, causing many dioceses most holy week: (including our own) to halt all public celebrations of Mass A PRAYER TO BEGIN HOLY WEEK and communal gatherings for [at least] the rest of Lent. Lord Jesus, as we enter into Holy Week once again, I Speaking with a dear friend this week, she shared that come before you to renew my love and gratitude, and to she has felt cheated out of Lent this year, a time when she ask you to open my heart to all the special graces that this is supposed to be growing closer to Christ and Christ week contains. himself--both his body in Holy Communion and the I know that everything that took place during this week communion we experience gathering with the other two thousand years ago was done for the salvation of the physical members of the Body of Christ--have been world, and yet as if for me alone. As you carried your ‘stripped away’ from us. At first, I felt the same way. By cross, you thought of each man, woman, and child you the grace of God, I have come to see this, yes this would redeem. As you suffered betrayal, denial, and the experience of the pandemic, as an even greater grace, fleeing of your disciples, as you experienced the mockery especially to enter into the holiest week of the year as we and scorn of the crowds, you knew of every human begin today. betrayal and denial that would ever take place, and you As Catholics, we are called to enter into the passion, knew of all the sufferings and humiliations every person death, and resurrection of Christ throughout our lives would ever undergo in every corner of the world. You saw (especially in Holy Week). Although I have experienced my whole life, every moment of my existence. many of my own passions, deaths, and resurrections Lord Jesus, I want to live this week in union with you. I throughout my short lifetime, I cannot remember a time want the mysteries of your Passion, Death, and Resurrection where I have felt so abandoned and alone. Perhaps this to continue to transform my life. Though I do not know the experience is a glimpse of what Christ felt on the cross, hour of my physical death, I do know that at each moment when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you of my life, lived in union with you, you can put to death all forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) I realize now how I had that separates me from you. By your grace, I have already been taking going to Mass for granted--this time apart been raised with you, and the life I now live is not my own, from the Body of Christ has made me cry from the depths but yours. of my soul, “I thirst!” as Christ proclaimed from the cross In the Sacrifice of the Mass today and every day, I unite (John 19:28). Jesus, I thirst for you, and never before have I myself to you. I offer you my whole heart, my whole life. felt this thirst greater than this Lent. My heart has been Through the Immaculate Heart of Mary I offer you all my broken, just as Jesus’s heart was broken during his time on prayers, works, joys, and sufferings--holding nothing back. this earth. Thank you, God, for allowing my heart to be I want to be entirely clothed in you, to be conformed to broken, to give me a tiny glimpse of the suffering that you you, and I trust that as you look upon me from heaven, you endured for me on the cross. hold nothing back. You love me with the entirety of your I know, precisely because of my faith in Jesus Christ, that Sacred Heart. Lord Jesus, I trust in you. Lord Jesus, I love suffering and death are never the end of the story. you. Resurrection, glory is at the end and God can use all suffering for his good. So I wait in this time, with a heart STEWARDSHIP OF GIVING broken but not lost, in a joyful hope for the coming of our St. Joseph salvation. I wait in this time, not afraid of the pain but Adult Contributors 82 of 762 knowing that the very pain I am feeling can lead to a fuller, Envelopes.………………………………….....$2006.00 more complete resurrection, and I look forward to that day EFT (Auto Deposit) …………………………...$2702.00 when we will again be able to rejoice with one another in Votive...……………………………………….……$75.00 person (and not six feet away from each other). Easter.…………………………………………...$2100.00 This week, I encourage you to contemplate how Christ Total...... $6883.00 could be using this time to draw you deeper into His heart, to truly experience the passion with Christ like never Sts. Peter & Paul before. Don’t be afraid of your heart being broken--for Adult Contributors 10 of 145 Christ’s own heart was broken on the cross and the path to Envelopes...... $423.00 it. This time of suffering could be the very thing God wants EFT (Auto Deposit) ...... $125.00 to use to draw Him deeper into Himself. This is not the Lent Votive.…………………………………………..….$10.00 we ordered, but perhaps it is the Lent that we needed, for Easter Flowers……………………………………...$45.00 when we can return to gather together, I have a feeling it will Total...... $603.00 3 A word from our Priest A word from our Priest continued Friends , appears we are going to have to fast from a community Peace be with you. celebration on Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter So, how are you holding up? I’m serious. I’m Sunday. Still, let’s look at what we do have. Fasting is not just asking that to be cute or seem supposed to create a space to be able to pay attention to compassionate. If you want someone to talk to or cry to or what is important. Last weekend, we tried and successfully express frustrations to, I’m here. Call the rectory or email accomplished broadcasting the 10:15 private Mass at St. me or send me a message of Facebook. We can set up a Joe’s on both Facebook and YouTube. That means people skype call or a Google Meet or a Zoom Meeting or any who don’t have access to the St. Joseph Bellevue Cable other way if you want to see my face but I am here for channel and don’t have a Facebook account can still go to you. I will not pretend to say I have all the answers but if our YouTube page to pray with us. Thank you to all the you just want to ask the question and talk something people who made that possible! It was a group effort through, I’m here. It may not be confession but I hope it involving three parishioners donating their time and helps in the end. collaborating to make it all work. It was much more I’m writing this column to you on Monday March 30. challenging to do it than I thought but definitely worth it. Yesterday, the President announced that he’s Having this technology means we can livestream 4:15 recommending the social distancing order not be lifted until pm Mass on Saturdays and 10:15 am Mass on Sundays on April 30, which almost certainly means we will not be able all three media (Bellevue Cable, Facebook, and YouTube) to gather as a community until (at the earliest) May 3, or every week. We can also stream our daily Masses Tuesday the Fourth Sunday of Easter. We learned of the first through Friday at 8:25 am and stream the Rosary Tuesday confirmed case of Covid-19 in Jackson County this morning. through Friday at 3:00 pm on YouTube and Facebook as Our healthcare workers are struggling to find Personal well. It means, this week, we can livestream the Holy Protective Equipment (PPE) like face shields, masks, gloves, Thursday and Good Friday liturgies at 6:30 pm both days gowns, etc. And each day seems to involve another and livestream our Easter Vigil Liturgy starting at 4:15 pm announcement about what this quarantine involves. I know on Saturday night. this is an uncertain and stressful time for everyone. We wish Unfortunately, at this time I have to cancel the scheduled we could have some stability or some sense that there is an time for confession I had set up at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday end, that our normal lives will return sometime soon. I’ve morning. The Archbishop has concerns about this sacrament found it important to focus on today and the routine that I and the sacrament of anointing during this time. He hasn’t can make for today. completely barred us from celebrating these sacraments The longer I’m forced to “shelter in place” in the rectory, but he has asked that we consider not offering them until the more I value the times I’ve spent in a monastery. There’s this pandemic passes. In Italy, 60 priests have died because a reason the monks pray together five to seven times a of the coronavirus. Anointing of the Sick and Confession day. There’s also a reason they come together for meals tend to be times when social distancing is next to impossible and for Mass. There’s a reason they take their time going because of the touch necessary to anoint and the privacy back to their rooms so they can visit with each other along necessary for confession. Nonetheless, the Archbishop is the way. There’s a reason the monks have jobs to do when recommending that we pray with and for other people, they’re not in prayer, jobs that help edify themselves and which I’m more than willing to do. He also asks that we support the community in which they live. And there’s a emphasize that not receiving these sacraments does not reason they tend to limit conversation to the essentials when mean a person in a state of mortal sin has no means of they aren’t in prayer, in a meal, or walking around the salvation. monastery. Communication and interaction are essential First, let’s remember that we have a God of salvation parts of the day. We have to talk to each other and help not a God of damnation. God wants all people to be each other grow. Yet, silence is just as important, and I saved. So, if you are conscious of committing a mortal sin, would guess the thing many of you are missing with the pray and ask God for forgiveness. noise of family constantly around. Silence helps us become Second, make an examination of conscience a daily part comfortable with having less, it forces us to fast from the of your prayer. Take time each day to consider the times noise that we use to distract us. This Lent is training us in you have and have not followed the will of God. fasting in a special way. Maybe we aren’t fasting from Celebrate the times when you did what was right and ask food as much as we have in years past but in routine and God to forgive you and strengthen you to make the right the freedom to go where we want whenever we want with decision in the future when you didn’t. There are many whomever we want. great guides to help you examine your conscience online if Today is Palm Sunday. We’re even having to fast from you search for them. Use what is good. Throw out what is our palms. I received word from the Archdiocese that, bad. because the palms won’t be used by people during Mass, Third, pray the Act of Contrition. If you don’t know it, we’re not allowed to bless them and distribute them. And it here are two versions, an old one and a new one, that
4 A word from our Priest continued Mass Intentions you can use… Tuesday, April 7 O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended 8:25 AM - SJ † Joan Kilburg Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just Wednesday, April 8 punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my 8:25 AM - SJ † Orville Jackson God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I Holy Thursday, April 9 firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more 6:30 PM - SPP † Peter Sprank and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen Good Friday, April 10 OR 6:30 PM - SJ Good Friday Service My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In Holy Saturday, April 11 choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned 4:15 PM - SJ Living Members of the Rosary Society against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly † Joe, Millie, Glenn Hager intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and Easter Sunday, April 12 to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ 8:00 AM - SPP † Deceased Members of the Nick Kilburg suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy. Family Amen. † Hilaire & Daphne Stephany And, lastly, firmly resolve to go to confession when you † Don & David Gibbs are able to do so again. 10:15 AM - SJ For the People Please know of my prayers for you during this time. I † Jr. Medinger can feel you praying for me! And I know we’re all looking † Clara Lucke forward to the time when we can once again gather † Harry & Phyllis Wagner together to pray! † John & MaryAnn Upmann † Mary Jo & Harold Heiar
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