Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, WE ARE ESSENTIAL!!! Even with the stay-at-home order, religious institutions are largely exempt - and rightly so! Offering worship to God, prayer, spiritual support is ESSENTIAL! Never let anyone say religion is merely a nice bonus if we get some time. Faith is not nice sprinkles on the top of society’s cupcake.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is a surreal and sad time. As you have heard by now or noticed if you tried coming to Church, all public Masses and Liturgies are canceled through Easter. All Catholics in Ohio are of course dispensed from their obligation to attend Sunday Mass until after Easter. The speed at which the news comes may supersede what I write in this column.

“After serious consideration of the grave health risk involved in public gatherings and in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the bishops of Ohio have decided, effective immediately (3/16/20), to suspend temporarily all publicly celebrated Masses/Liturgies, at least through the celebrations of Holy Week and Easter. The bishops dispense the Catholic faithful in Ohio from the obligation of attending Sunday Mass through Easter Sunday.” - The Catholic Conference of Ohio

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Corona Virus Update We have seen in the news the concern over the spread of the corona virus. At the time of this writing there are now three confirmed in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Concerned for the health of our parishioners and the appropriate celebration of Mass, the Diocese issued a memo with liturgical instructions. The one which we implemented ourselves last week was suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood from the cup.

Encouraging the Culture of Encounter with Jesus Christ, His Church, and All People Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Change in Distribution of Holy Communion at Mass We have seen in the news the concern over the spread of the corona virus. At the time of this writing there are confirmed cases in the United States but thankfully, not yet in Ohio. Concerned for the health of our parishioners and the appropriate celebration of Mass, the Diocese issued a memo with suggestions for parishes to consider.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Holy Season of Lent The annual Church wide retreat has begun! The beauty of violet vestments, the emphasis on silence in our worship, the “giving up” of certain things as well as the “giving more” of oneself and one’s gifts for others. All to help us grow in our love of God and neighbor. Below are lists for the works of mercy.