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May 16, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
I hope this letter finds you all well as we continue to navigate in unchartered waters. In my daily prayer and in my thoughts, my heart goes out to all who are impacted by the pandemic – countless women, men and children who are suffering as a result of unhealth, poverty, unemployment, uncertainty, loneliness and anxiety. No doubt, you and your families may be experiencing different effects of the pandemic in your own lives. All of us are called to a renewed humanity and a solidarity of compassion at this time.
I would like to share three things that have been helpful for me during this time: the knowledge by faith the God accompanies all of us during this time of challenge and suffering; prayer that focuses on the rich blessings I have in my life and thanking God for gifts, that previously I may have taken for granted; and staying connected to friends, family and all of you. Below, I offer updates on our shared life together as well as provide some resources that I have recently found inspiring and/or enlightening.
First and foremost to our life of worship, given Governor Walz’ recent order the plan to reopen public Masses in the archdiocese have shifted. Please see the video message from Archbishop Hebda that was released yesterday. I share Archbishop’s disappointment and I am similarly puzzled as to the allowance to open up retail stores and not churches, particularly when the latter enjoys first amendment protection. I am hopeful that the ongoing dialogue of the Minnesota bishops and Governor Walz’ office will produce an agreement that better balances public safety with the values and first principles of our nation.
Thus, for now, plans to resume public Masses at Our Lady of Lourdes are on hold. Thank you for your patience in this regard. I have assembled a liturgical logistics working group that is co-chaired by Fr. Evans and Mary Asp and includes parishioners from our parish council and other staff members. This working group will apply archdiocesan guidelines to our spaces at Lourdes and will develop clear guidelines and a plan to safely resume public Masses at Lourdes, when permission for this is granted. Please note the previously announced summer Mass schedule: Monday 12:05 Rosary; Tuesday – Friday 12:05 Mass; Saturday 5 p.m. (courtyard); Sunday 8 a.m. (church); 10: a.m. (church and livestreamed); 11:30 a.m. (courtyard). The Lourdes guidelines and plan will be mailed to all parishioners upon their completion.
Second, the life of the parish continues – even amidst our challenging circumstances. The parish office will reopen Monday. Social distancing will be observed in all interactions among staff and staff and parishioners. Virtual meetings are encouraged as the preferred method of interaction for the time being. This past week, I had a virtual meeting with our parish trustees and Fr. Evan’s presided at a livestreamed edition of Vespers at Lourdes. Our parish council also met virtually last Wednesday, and they provided me wise counsel on the life of the parish and our plans to resume public Masses. Later this month, the finance council will meet virtually to discuss the challenging realities of parish finances during the pandemic and the 20/21 budget process. Thank you to all who have continued or stepped up your generous financial commitment to Lourdes!
Third, we will announce soon an exciting program called Summer at Lourdes – which will include opportunities to gather virtually and in person, book clubs, music in the courtyard and more. I will also host two zoom gatherings of parishioners one which will be more of a check-in to provide information and to answer questions and the other will be a celebration of our community where we I will present the 2020 Lourdes’ Fleur de Lis awards. Stay tuned for more details.
Our livestreamed Mass will continue at 10:00 a.m. and I am thankful to Josh Zenner and Sarah Moon for stepping up each week the quality of the livestream. They have done a fantastic job! I will celebrate Mass this Sunday, followed at 11:15 by the final talk in this year's adult formation series entitled, Healing a Wounded Church and Nation: Roadmap to Restoration. Please join me.
Finally, I would like to share a number of resources I have found inspiring and/or informative during this time. I begin with Papa Francesco and the stirring and prophetic words spoken by our wise pope weeks before Easter in a darkened and empty St. Peter’s Square. Secondly, I recommend an Easter column by a Catholic columnist, Ross Douthat who took up the topic of your question in the NY Times. Third, I loved a recent quote by Sonya Renee Taylor who exhorts us to not go back to way life was before the pandemic. Fourth, I recommend watching the beautiful film, A Hidden Life which also takes up a number of themes implicit in your question. Finally, I recommend COVID Reflections by Fr. Ron Rolheiser which is on point and enlightening. My most recent blog piece reflects on a recent letter I wrote to a former student of mine on the topic of God’s providence and the suffering of humanity.
Stay safe and be well as we remain united in faith and –
United in Christ,
Fr. Daniel Griffith