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February 11, 2021It has been almost a year since COVID-19 became a household word in our nation. Virtually every aspect of our lives has been impacted by this global pandemic. Certainly, the life of the Church in our archdiocese has been dramatically affected as well.
For a time, perhaps out of an excess of caution, I made the very difficult decision to suspend public celebrations of the Mass throughout our archdiocese. Since it was impossible under such circumstances to fulfill the Sunday obligation safely, I suspended that as well. I know that many people were angered by that decision. Unfortunately, we have had no roadmap to guide us through the many challenges and dilemmas presented by this experience. We all are doing the best we can. We have had to accept certain limitations on our freedom to gather, travel and live our lives as we had done “pre-COVID.” It has put a strain on everyone.
I am grateful for the patience, creativity and flexibility of so many of our priests, deacons, teachers, catechists, parishioners and parents who have risen to the challenge of this unprecedented moment in history. There have been true heroes among us!
I grieve with the many families who have lost loved ones to COVID or whose loved ones have been sickened or sidelined. We have lost members of the clergy as well. In addition to physical symptoms, many have suffered significant mental, emotional and spiritual distress due to the fear, isolation and anxiety that have come with this pandemic. These sufferings have been real. As livelihoods have been affected, there have been severe economic impacts on many of our households, and on many of our parishes as well.
We have not lost hope, however! Things will get better. God is with us. This pandemic will have an end, and perhaps we are beginning to sense that it is on the horizon already. As safe, effective and ethically produced vaccines continue to be developed and distributed more and more people will have opportunities to find some protection from this threat.
Since the beginning of the summer, we have resumed public Masses with certain precautions in place to provide safe environments. People can safely gather for Mass and receive the sacraments, which are so necessary for our spiritual health and well-being.
We all look forward to the time when we have achieved herd immunity and the pandemic subsides. But, in the meantime, we continue to live our lives, albeit safely. We are learning to live under these conditions, but always with a view to a future with fewer restrictions.
I have been meeting with my staff and revisiting some of the safety guidelines I issued when we reopened for public Masses and other types of gatherings that are so important for parish life and ministry, including for education. I will be modifying those soon to permit greater flexibility based upon what we have learned from experience and the guidance of health experts.
The vaccine will be a game-changer. Other precautions will remain in place for the foreseeable future (face coverings, safe distancing and sanitizing). Already many have recognized that it is now safe to return to Mass. They also have recognized their deep hunger and need for the Eucharist and the importance of connecting with others (safely) at Mass. I know that there are still some who because of vulnerability or the need to care for others are not yet able to risk a return to public gatherings for Mass.
Unfortunately, I also am aware that many have simply gotten out of the habit of attending Sunday Mass. Perhaps it is because they have become dependent on live-streamed Masses and the convenience and virtual connection that these have offered during this health emergency.
As the emergency subsides and vaccines become more plentiful, it is the time to be considering a return to Mass. The lifting of the Sunday obligation has been a provisional measure. It will not last forever. We have a duty to worship God as God desires to be worshiped.
Our Lord left us the Eucharist and established the Mass so that we can worship him in the way most pleasing to him. In addition to our duty to worship God, we have a need for the grace of the sacraments. Those who are healthy ought to avail themselves now of the spiritual sustenance that God gives us through the Eucharist. Why put it off?
If you have not yet returned to Mass, I encourage you to come. The Lord awaits you as do your fellow parishioners. If we have learned anything during this pandemic it is the importance of belonging. You belong to Christ and to his Church. It’s time to come home!