Dear St. Patrick Parishioners,

Even though we were not able to celebrate Holy week and Easter gathered in our St. Patrick church, I pray that you and your families had a blessed and happy Easter. I look forward to the day when we can gather in worship around the table of the Eucharist and share once again in the Body and Blood of Christ.

Our society is facing an extraordinary challenge. The COVID-19 global pandemic is impacting every one of our families in some way – the way we worship, work, socialize, study and more has all changed in such a drastic way, in such a short period of time. I would like to share a special acknowledgement of and extend my sincerest “Thank You” to all essential workers that have stepped up in so many ways to keep us going. From first responders, to nurses and doctors and EMTs, to law enforcement and firefighting personnel, to grocery store clerks, restaurant owners and workers, mail carriers, workers who dispose of our waste, and everyone else performing essential duties while the majority of our society is sheltering at home trying to flatten the curve – thank you! They are all playing a tremendous role in supporting our families and our livelihood. If you are one of these essential workers, I personally thank you. If you know someone who is one of these heroes, or interact with one, please join me in sharing special thanks and showing and extra kindness to these people as much as you can – they certainly deserve it!

If there is a silver lining to this crisis, it’s that we’re learning, we’re adapting, we’re reflecting. We may not be physically together, but we are all together in this together. And most importantly, our loving God is with us every step of the way. He has not – and will not – abandon us. I wish you and your loved ones safety and health, and an abundance of blessings and grace from God during this holy Easter Season!

Fr. Richard Pentello

CREATE A FAMILY SPACE AT HOME

In the coming weeks, families will continue to spend more time together at home. One good use of this time would be to pray more together on a regular basis. This prayer time together will strengthen family and can be enhanced by creating a place in your home dedicated to prayer. Making a place for prayer in your home can help us do what the Gospel tells us, to go into an “inner room” and to pray (Matthew 6:6). Make your prayer place as quiet and uncluttered as possible. It can be the corner of a room or some unused space. Furnish your prayer place with a Bible, a crucifix or cross, statue, prayer books, rosary, icons, and candle – be creative! Encourage family members to use the prayer place throughout the day for personal prayer as well as family prayer. You may wish to bless your family place of prayer with the following:

Come, Holy God, dwell in this place of prayer for our family,
and bless it with your healing peace and presence.
Bless all who seek you here
in quiet reflection and voiced prayer.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen