Greetings!
It has certainly been a penitential Lent. Growing restrictions on businesses, work, and travel due to COVID-19 have turned many lives upside down. Cancelled public Masses and new school schedules take some time to adjust to. And like many organizations, we have a couple of cancellation announcements.
First, the ava's grace retreat scheduled for this Saturday, March 21, is postponed. We are hopeful that we will be able to reschedule it for a date in the summer.
Second, the Messy Family Project workshop, scheduled for March 28, is also postponed. Refunds for this event have been issued. We are working with St. Pius X and the Hernons to reschedule this for October.
If you are in need of the Sacrament of Confession, Anointing of the Sick, or pastoral direction, please contact your parish! Many priests in our diocese are flexible with arranging individual Confessions and time to pray in open chapels.
Crises like these affect us all differently. It's okay if you aren't writing a novel, composing a symphony, or fixing all the world's problems from your couch. Having kids and/or spouses at home long before summer will not be an easy transition. Use this time to be present to your loved ones. Check in on elderly relatives and neighbors, stay connected to loved ones through technology (or written letters!), tithe to your parish and local food pantries, volunteer if you can, go outside when you can, be patient with yourself and your family members.
Be assured of our prayers for you and your families in this time! Our Lady of Perpetual Help, pray for us!
Blessings,
The Marriage & Family Ministry Staff
