Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen some truly extraordinary events in our world, our nation, and our local communities.  Some of these have had profound impact on the way that we practice our faith as Catholic Christians.  I thought I might take the opportunity to address some of the questions that you might have as the situation unfolds:

 

• Why can’t I go to Mass and receive the Eucharist?  Is that even allowable?
  
  The Church reminds us that, as baptized Catholics, we really are priests in the Kingdom of God.  So, we have an obligation to attend Mass at church on Sundays and holydays in order to participate in the Sacrifice of the Eucharist. The Church has lifted this obligation in the present circumstances.  However, as Catholics, we are still called to pray the liturgy!  Our priests offer the Mass privately, and at these Masses, we offer up the prayers and intentions of our people.  We can continue to pray the liturgy, even when we do it remotely through TV, radio, and internet broadcasts.  (We hope to be able to livestream some of these Masses in the near future.  Keep an eye on our website (www.cdsmph.org) for more information!)
  
  Although we cannot physically receive the Eucharist when praying along with a Mass on TV, we can pray an Act of Spiritual Communion, asking Jesus to grant us the spiritual blessings of the reception of the Eucharist.  One such prayer is as follows:
  
  My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
   
• Why has the bishop suspended the obligation to abstain from meat on Fridays in Lent?
  
  One of the realities that we’ve faced recently is a certain rash of shortages of certain foods.  The bishop isn’t telling us “please go eat meat on Fridays in Lent.”  Instead, he’s letting us know that, if we find it difficult or impossible to find ingredients for meatless meals on the Fridays in Lent, we should not feel pressured to have it impact our ability to eat in a healthy manner.  If you find that your choices of foods are limited on Friday, then please know that eating meat is an allowable option.  (Please attempt to follow the regulations for fasting and abstinence on Good Friday, though.)
   
• Will Easter be cancelled?
  
  The celebrations of Holy Week will take place. However, at this time, it appears that we might not be able to gather in public celebrations of Holy Week liturgies.  Our priests will celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week, albeit in private.  So, Easter will happen, although in a way very unlike anything we’re accustomed to experiencing.  One note: since we are expecting to be unable to celebrate public Masses on Palm Sunday, we’re planning to bless palms at our private liturgies that day and then at a later date make blessed palms available for you to pick up once we’re all available to gather together again.  Please remember to keep checking our website (www.cdsmph.org) and our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ChristTheDivineShepherd) for more information as it becomes available!