St. Timothy's and St. Rita Churches

Ponderings

Let’s look ahead!  Our governor has indicated that public Masses will begin again on the weekend of May 30/31.  This is good news!  We have been doing some preliminary planning all of that will intensify in the days ahead as we receive specific guidelines from the governor and from the diocese.  Some things will be different.  Some things will be the same! What will be different? A number of people have been guiding the United States Conference of Bishops to develop a blueprint for the re[1]opening of our churches.  Locally, Dr. Timothy Flanigan, a permanent deacon in our diocese an in international expert on infectious disease, as well as Dominican Father Nicanor Austriaco, OP, a biologist at Providence College, have served as part of this national team.  Bishop Tobin and diocesan staff have been working closely with the Governor’s Office and the Rhode Island Department of Health. They will issue guidelines for us to reopen in a way that is as safe as possible for everyone. There will be restrictions on the size of gatherings.  There will be social distancing.  Face masks will be worn.  The churches will be cleaned frequently.  The reception of Holy Communion will have some new procedures.  Those who are ill should not come to Mass.  More detailed instructions will be provided to you when we receive them.  Plans are presently being discussed and we will do our very best to ensure a safe reopening.  There will be some changes so get ready be patient, be flexible we will all be learning some ‘new ways’ of gathering to celebrate Mass.  It won’t be ‘the way things were’ before the pandemic.  What will be the same? Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!  Jesus Christ is our rock, our fortress, our salvation!  Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist, Jesus Christ present in the Scriptures, Jesus Christ present in the Assembly of people gathered to worship, and Jesus Christ present in the person of the priest is the same!  Our faith, our Creed are the same.  The sacraments Baptism, Eucharist, Confession/Reconciliation, Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders, Anointing of the Sick the sacraments are the same!  Going forward!  We know that many of our brothers and sisters have been deeply affected by the pandemic.  Some have experienced the death of a loved one.  Some have not been able to visit a loved one in the nursing home or hospital.  Some have lost a job.  As we gather, we each carry with us our own sufferings and painful experiences.  Many of you have expressed how difficult it has been not to gather for Mass being unable to receive Holy Communion has been a kind of suffering, as well.  As we plan to reopen our churches for public Mass please keep in mind we need patience, we need kindness, we need cooperation, we need common sense we need to work together.  We will be strengthened by our God who is present in this community of believers who will come together to pray and celebrate the sacraments!  Pray for the Church during the upcoming time of “transition” ......a ‘reopening’.....a ‘revival of faith’....Looking forward to seeing you, once again!

Fr. Gaffney