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As
the month of January winds down, we look forward to February. The COVID
pandemic will be one year old in February and still no real end in
sight. With the vaccine becoming more available, there is hope that
sometime this summer we can start relaxing some of the restrictions and
bring a little more normalcy back to our lives. Until that time comes,
we need to continue to be vigilant and practice safety to avoid
spreading the disease. We still have the requirement of wearing a mask
whenever you are in church, unless you are serving as a lector or a
cantor. You can pull down your mask briefly when receiving Holy
Communion. As the priest celebrant, when I am speaking, I don’t wear
the mask, but I wear one during the readings and when distributing
communion. Also when I’m within six feet of anyone, as when I celebrate
a funeral Mass, I wear a mask. Most of you are following this rule.
Where I see the need for more vigilance is when you are coming forward
to receive communion. Coming forward in procession, everyone needs to
be six feet apart. The blue tape on the floors mark that distance.
Also, social distance has to be maintained if you spend time speaking
with others after Mass. I know it’s difficult to remember this, but all
of us need to be vigilant. As vaccines become available, we will
provide information regarding availability and registration. For the
latest information regarding vaccine availability is on the Ohio state
website:
https://vaccine.coronavirus.ohio.gov
God bless!
Fr. Joe Bacevice |
ONLINE MASS
Our weekly online Mass is
back. Beginning this weekend, Sunday Mass can be accessed beginning on
Saturdays at 4:00 pm. Go to our website and click on the Mass link. We would
also like to hear from our online congregation. Comments – good or bad – can be
sent to Father Bacevice’s e-mail along with
any requests for special prayers. Father‘s e-mail:
jbacevice@dioceseofcleveland.org
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LATIN AMERICA - EL
SALVADOR OFFERING
We are collecting your
donations for el Salvador Missions this weekend. This is the only appeal made by the
Diocesan Mission Office for the Cleveland Latin American Mission in El Salvador.
It is the main support for two Diocese of Cleveland priests who work in the two
parishes served by our Mission Office. This appeal also makes a contribution to
the Collection for the Church in Latin America that is managed by the US
Conference of Catholic Bishops and benefits projects and the formation of
seminarians, religious and lay leaders in 23 countries across Latin America.
Please be generous.
ST BLAISE DAY
Wednesday February 3RD
is the Feast of St. Blaise, the date throats are traditionally blessed. The
ritual “Book of Blessings” states that the blessing “if offered within Mass, may
be prayed after the general intercessions or may take the place of the final
blessing. If for pastoral reasons, each individual cannot be blessed... a
priest or deacon may give the blessing to all by extending hands, without
crossed candles, over the people while saying the prayer of blessing.” The US
Bishop’s Conference Committee on Divine Worship suggests that the current
circumstances of the global pandemic would be sufficient pastoral reason to
avoid administration of the blessing to individuals. This year, the prayer of
blessing will be given only on Wednesday, February 3RD at the 7:30
Mass.
ASH WEDNESDAY
February 17TH is Ash Wednesday. The ritual for distributing ashes
during the time of pandemic is given in the Roman Missal. “The priest says the
prayer of blessing the ashes. He sprinkles the ashes with holy water, without
saying anything. Then he addresses all those present and only once says the
formula, applying it to all in general: “Repent, and believe in the Gospel,” or
“Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” The priest then
cleanses his hands, puts on a face mask, and distributes the ashes to those who
come to him. The priest takes the ashes and sprinkles them on the head of each
one without saying anything.” There is no physical contact. This year, there
will be only ONE MASS on Ash Wednesday at 7:30 am. |
Lietuvi