Prepare for a new Pentecost!

The drama and the tension that we have been living with since COVID-19 began to disrupt life as we know it in the United States (and beyond) means that for some of us this day is long overdue while for others it still seems premature. I am referring to the fact that as this issue of the Sooner Catholic is published public Masses in Oklahoma are resuming. We will have different reactions to this development. Many are eager. Others, due to fragile health or other concerns, are not ready to return.
 
The faithful, however, will once again be able to participate face-to-face in the celebration of Mass and receive Holy Communion! The celebration of the Sacraments and many other pastoral activities are resuming. But, this will be a gradual transition.
 
It will not be an immediate return to “business as usual.” Perhaps it will never be “business as usual” again. We have learned a lot about the benefits and potential of new digital platforms to gather and connect people. We have become more aware of the importance of social gatherings as well as social distancing. Undoubtedly, there will be many other valuable takeaways from our experience of these last few months.
 
Even with the resumption of public Masses we are still limited in the number of people who can be accommodated in our churches and other settings due to the continuing threat of infection.
 
Patience and planning will be necessary. The dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is still in effect. Until a vaccine has been developed, we will continue to take many of the same precautions that limit the likelihood of transmission of this potentially deadly virus. We still will limit the type of contact we can engage in. Many of these restrictions were outlined in the procedures and timeline that we published earlier this month in preparing for the resumption of public Masses in Oklahoma.
 
In developing these principles, we consulted local, state and federal guidelines. We prayed. We consulted medical experts and pastoral leaders. We made prudential judgments based on our faith, on good science and our obligations to accept personal responsibility and promote the common good. We all are in this together, as we have heard so often in recent months.
 
Resuming public Masses is a critically important step for us. The Eucharist is the source and summit, the very center of our lives.
 
We are taking this step during the days leading up to the celebration of Pentecost. We pray for an abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church and our world during this time of crisis. We pray for a renewal in holiness that we may be more credible witnesses to the hope that our faith provides.
 
As we resume public Masses and increase access to the Sacraments, the next step is to prepare for the safe and orderly resumption of other kinds of pastoral activities and gatherings. We are publishing a new set of guidelines that gives direction for many of those activities as well. May the Lord continue to guide and protect us during this time.
 
Thank you for your prayers and your patience with one another. Come, Holy Spirit, come!