Dear Parishioners,
Bishop Thomas has asked that Tuesday, September 1 be a day of fasting and prayer throughout the Diocese for the cause of healing the wounds of racism and promoting the human dignity of every person. The Bishop will also be leading a Eucharistic Holy Hour (adoration) that same day at 7:00 P.M. at St. Thomas More University Parish in Bowling Green. The event is open to whomever wants to join him in prayer for this cause.
More generally, fasting is a powerful spiritual practice for any of our intentions, and Jesus teaches us that it is essential to drive away particularly strong evils: “And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast [the unclean spirit] out?’ And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting’” (Mk. 9:27-29). With all that is currently going on in our country and around the world, it is worth noting the unfortunate reality that fasting, although still encouraged by the Church, has generally become a much less practiced discipline than in times past. I encourage everyone who is able to make fasting a more regular part of their spiritual life.
Those who are not able to fast for medical or dietary reasons can do another form of penance instead of fasting. Someone in this situation could abstain from some good that they enjoy, as we are accustomed to doing every Friday. Another recommendation that I make to those physically/medically unable to fast is to intentionally eat foods that they do not like. This is actually more difficult to do than it might sound and therefore makes a great penance! I think this is a great alternative because although one might be required to eat for health reasons, they can at least make sure that the food is not enjoyable!
On a much different note, I have a few quick updates. Firstly, as I mentioned in a previous bulletin article, we will restart the Extraordinary Form Mass (Latin Mass) on the first Saturday of each month at our Payne campus, beginning this coming Saturday, September 5, at 8:00 A.M. I decided that I will be doing these as “Low” Masses (as opposed to “High” Masses). This simply means that there will be no music at the Mass and that there will be less for the servers to remember. Speaking of servers, we will have another Latin Mass server training this Thursday, Sept. 3, at 6:30 P.M. in Payne. Please contact the parish office if you have any questions.
Next, we will also be restarting the “Gospel with Father” gatherings in Paulding after the Wednesday morning Mass, beginning this Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the Paulding church basement. There will be coffee and rolls like before, but masks/face coverings will still be required until seated (chairs will be spaced to maintain social distancing).
Lastly, some have been asking about the possibility of providing funeral luncheons. Unfortunately, we are still unable at this time to provide any funeral luncheons for families. Funeral luncheons tend to bring bigger groups and they tend to be events that make social distancing impossible. Thanks for your understanding!
Blessings to you all!
Fr. Ammanniti
