From Our Pastor

From Our Pastor

Dear Folks,

Summer is here. Summer in my childhood reminds me of lots of things: beaches, days adventuring in the woods, picnics, and roller coasters.

I read a column recently where a pastor was quoted as saying, “For so many, faith is a rollercoaster.” He went on to encourage folks to root themselves in religious practice and devotion, specifically the gift of the Holy Spirit which is piety. I like this thought.

Life is the roller coaster. I think of faith more as the safety bar which holds us firm and secure when life is doing backflips and tossing us in every direction. I was never afraid of roller coasters, because of child-like trust, and confidence in the engineering of these rides. Not to mention that Dad taught us to scream on roller coasters as a way of letting go of tension!

Your firm adherence to the practice of your faith is the bedrock that can and must keep you firm in the wild turns of life. Like roller coasters, a great part of the
joy in life is the exhilarating twists and turns and high speed adventures!

This week the Bishop has announced the return of the Sunday Mass attendance obligation beginning on Saturday, June 26 and Sunday, June 27th. Please read the announcement here in the bulletin.

Summers often mean fewer people come to Mass. But there is no vacation from your vocation to be sons and daughters of the King.

It will be hard for many folks to reestablish the habit of attending Mass every Sunday. But I never got on a roller coaster without buckling down the safety bar. Let the Mass and your devotions be the safety bar that holds you tight on the roller coaster and be ready for the ride of your life!

pax,

Father John Mosimann

 

June 6, 2021
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

 

Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass Reinstated June 26

Obligation to Attend Sunday Mass Reinstated June 26

Statement of the Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington

Lifting the General Dispensation from the Obligation to Attend Mass
We, the Catholic Bishops of the Province of Baltimore and the Archdiocese of Washington, give thanks to Almighty God for the progress our country has made in curbing the coronavirus pandemic. The average number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to decline due to the observance of safety protocols and the increase of the availability of the vaccine. At this time, many places in our region are enjoying a return to some sense of normalcy.

Therefore, we are lifting the dispensation of the Sunday and Holy Days Mass obligation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, the Archdiocese of Washington, and the Dioceses of Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston, and Wilmington and reinstating that obligation beginning on Saturday, June 26, 2021, and Sunday, June 27, 2021. We welcome and encourage the Faithful to return to full in-person participation of the Sunday Eucharist, the source and summit of our Catholic faith (cf. Code of Canon Law, canon 1246-1247, and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2180).

This obligation does not apply to those who are ill; those who have reason to believe that they were recently exposed to the coronavirus, or another serious or contagious illness; those who are confined to their home, a hospital, or nursing facility; or those with serious underlying health conditions. One should consult his or her local pastor if questions arise about the obligation to attend Mass (canon 1245 and Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2181).

Safety protocols and other liturgical directives in each diocese remain in effect until modified or revoked by the respective Diocesan Bishop.

Let us continue to be united in prayer for one another and for an end to the global pandemic.

Given on June 2, 2021

Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory 
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Washington
Most Reverend William E. Lori 
Archbishop, Archdiocese of Baltimore 
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge 
Bishop, Diocese of Arlington 
Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout
Bishop, Diocese of Richmond
Most Reverend Mark E. Brennan 
Bishop, Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
Most Reverend William Francis Malooly
Apostolic Administrator, Diocese of Wilmington
Levantamiento de la dispensa general de la obligación de asistir a Misa

Levantamiento de la dispensa general de la obligación de asistir a Misa

DECLARACIÓN DE LOS OBISPOS DE LA PROVINCIA DE BALTIMORE Y DE LA ARQUIDIÓCESIS DE WASHINGTON
Levantamiento de la dispensa general de la obligación de asistir a Misa

Los Obispos Católicos de la Provincia de Baltimore y de la Arquidiócesis de Washington deseamos expresarle a Dios Todopoderoso nuestra profunda gratitud por los avances que se han logrado en nuestro país para frenar la pandemia de coronavirus. El número medio de nuevos casos de COVID-19 sigue en disminución gracias a la observancia de los protocolos de seguridad y al aumento de la disponibilidad de vacunas. En este momento, muchos lugares de nuestra región están disfrutando del regreso a una cierta sensación de normalidad.

Por lo tanto, hemos decidido levantar la dispensa de la obligación de asistir a la Misa dominical y en días de precepto en la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore, la Arquidiócesis de Washington y las Diócesis de Arlington, Richmond, Wheeling-Charleston y Wilmington y restablecer esa obligación a partir del sábado 26 y el domingo 27 de junio de 2021. En tal sentido, animamos a los fieles a volver a participar plenamente en persona de la Eucaristía dominical, fuente y cumbre de nuestra fe católica (cf. Código de Derecho Canónico, cánones 1246-1247 y Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 2180).

Esta obligación no se aplica a los enfermos, ni a los que tienen razones para creer que han estado expuestos recientemente al coronavirus o a otra enfermedad grave o contagiosa; ni a aquellos que están confinados en su casa, en un hospital o en un centro de enfermería; ni a quienes tienen problemas graves de salud subyacentes. Si surgen dudas sobre la obligación de asistir a Misa, les agradeceremos consultar con el párroco de su parroquia (canon 1245 y Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, 2181).

Los protocolos de seguridad y las demás directivas litúrgicas de cada diócesis permanecen en vigor hasta que sean modificados o revocados por el respectivo Obispo diocesano.

Continuemos unidos orando unos por otros y por el fin de la pandemia a nivel mundial.

Expedida el 2 de junio de 2021

S. Em. Cardenal Wilton D. Gregory

Arzobispo de la Arquidiócesis de Washington

Rvdmo. Mons. William E. Lori

Arzobispo de la Arquidiócesis de Baltimore

Rev. Mons. Michael F. Burbidge

Obispo de la Diócesis de Arlington

Rev. Mons. Barry C. Knestout

Obispo de la Diócesis de Richmond

Rev. Mons. Mark E. Brennan

Obispo de la Diócesis de Wheeling-Charleston

Rev. Mons. William Francis Malooly

Administrador Apostólico de la Diócesis de Wilmington

Contacto con los medios de comunicación Christian Kendzierski
ck@archbalt.org
410-547-5378 (oficina)

917-882-1358 (celular)

From Our Pastor

From Our Pastor

Dear Folks,

Memorial Day: please remember in prayers all those who have given their lives to protect and serve our country. We should never tire of honoring and saluting their sacrifice.

Lifting of social distancing executive orders: Be understanding of one another as we return to pre-pandemic spaced seating in the church! For folks who feel an urgent need to keep the 6 foot spacing, we are going to continue to offer the PLC as a socially distanced space to participate in the Mass. Please do not enter the PLC if you cannot find a seat that is socially distanced from the folks already there. And the Holy Cross Academy, Sunday 8:30am ‘pandemic’ Mass will still require masks and social distancing! Staff will be watching to see how the need for these spaces evolves as we return to Mass.

Finally, Summer: let me repeat an exhortation that I often give at the beginning of summer regarding vacations, Mass attendance, and dressing properly for Mass.

Summer brings vacation, and that means relaxation for most folks. One of the great benefits of summer is that life slows down significantly for us. I still exhort you to make Sunday Mass the cornerstone of your week. If you need to find a Catholic Church near to your vacation in Toledo, Timbuktu, or even Toronto …. then check out: MassTimes.org.

Summer also brings different wardrobes. I remember as a child that it meant that we would break out the white pants that would be my “Sunday Clothes” for the summer. Remember those: Sunday Clothes? We each would do well to just pause and examine our consciences about how we dress for Jesus during the summer. The most common argument is that, “Jesus doesn’t care what I wear!” or “God doesn’t need me to dress up!” We are right to say that God doesn’t need me to dress up…. I need me to dress up! However Jesus does care what we wear, but not because He is judging us based on our clothes. He cares what we wear because how we dress is part of our preparation for and participation in Mass! When we take the time and effort to give Jesus our best (clothes, time, attention, and love) He can pour out his blessing into our souls! The concept of “Sunday Clothes” is that I give Jesus my best, because that is what God deserves, the best of me. I recall with great fondness how I would untuck my shirt every Sunday, the very second that I walked out of the Church Door!

Let me also be clear to say that nobody is to be turned away or judged because they are wearing shorts and flip-flops. There are times when we are literally coming from the beach, or on our way to a soccer match, or even sometimes folks can be simply struggling to feel welcome at Mass. I recall a conversation in another parish with a teen who was inappropriately dressed for Mass, where they were actually hoping that I would chastise them so that they could have an excuse not to come back! I know you pray for wisdom as parents, let us also pray for wisdom as a parish family to be gentle with our struggling sheep, but also challenging all to grow deeper in faith every day.

pax,

Fr. Mosimann

May 30, 2021
Trinity Sunday