Messages from Father John During the COVID-19 Crisis

A Christmas Message from Father John

Father John’s Christmas Message reminds us of the rich history and heritage of Christmas. He reflects on our constant need to keep Christ in Christmas!

September 11 – A Message about September 11

Father John concludes this week’s Pastor’s Points by saying , “Life is precious; life is fragile. But God’s love is strong. May all who lost their lives be gathered up in the great, merciful arms of God, and may we be instruments of the peace of Christ to all — in our families, churches, mosques, temples, and synagogues throughout the world. Amen.” Read the full l text here.

August 6 – A Video Message

Father John reminds us this week that we should take the time to slow our pace, enjoy some leisure, play, and pause this summer. In addition, he asks us to breathe in God’s presence and encourages us to remember that God is everywhere!

May 7 – A Video Message

This week Father John reflects on the last 14 months as he acknowledges the indescribable loss and pain for so many. But he also reflects on the positives- essential workers becoming more visible, a new meaning to the word “hero”, our gratitude for the miracles of modern medicine and vaccines, and a new found appreciation for the priceless value of togetherness, connectedness, and hugs… Watch the video above or view it here.

March 26 – Pastor’s Point

Father John shares that the Mass is about God and not about us. As we enter Holy Week and the Easter Season, may we all be more cognizant of what a gift the Mass is to us.

February 26 – Pastor’s Point

This week Father John shares a piece called KLEPTOMANIA HOMILETICA from WIllimon’s latest book, STORIES. And in the spirit of the article, he lifted it to share it with you. He edited it slightly for (some) brevity. Read here.

February 12 – We Need Lent

Father John introduces Lent to us this year initially wondering if we can just skip it during this difficult time. But them he explains that WE NEED LENT!

January 22 – Pastor’s Point from Father John

Almost a year into this pandemic, and almost everything still feels strange. Our routines remain disrupted. Many are not going to work, the playground, the gym. We have lost jobs or have been forced to take pay cuts. Many of us have not been to Mass for months, and some poor souls have been left to die alone in hospitals because of fear of the disease, and funerals have been postponed or radically reduced in size. Read more about how we deal with all of this here.

December 14 – A Christmas Message from Father John

Friday, December 4

Last Lent, in the first wave of COVID, Pope Francis preached this homily in his chapel at his residence, Casa Santa Marta. I think it bears repeating as it will simply be impossible for many priests to hear everyone’s confession before Christmas. And I would ask those of you who come regularly to step back for this month of December, and allow those who come less frequently to have the opportunity to confess this Advent season. Click here to read the homily.

Friday, November 27

This week Father John shares a short reflection of a farmer giving us hope for these difficult times.

Friday, November 20

Father John writes, “This pandemic has been a long slog. And it appears that the slog will continue until a vaccine has been widely distributed. When I realize that, I feel weary. I WANT THIS TO END. AND RIGHT NOW! But neither God nor pandemics seem to ever work on my timeline…” Read more.

Friday, November 13

Father John writes, “It is easy for us to be distracted – holiday preparations, shopping, family gatherings, holiday parties. There probably will not be nearly as much (any?) of this for many folks this year. The pandemic has altered many things, even Thanksgiving and Christmas! But from a faith perspective, dealing with apocalyptic realities should come naturally to us. We know how the story ends…” Read more….

Friday, November 6

This week Father John invites us all to take time this November to reflect on our lives as we are living them as well as anticipate our deaths. How do we leave legacy of goodness as we are dying? After all, he reflects, “Heaven has been waiting for us forever…”

Friday, October 30

In Father John’s reflection today he writes, “… The Church offers us 2 feasts at the very beginning of November – All Saints and All Souls, to help us… It offers us examples of heroic living in the Saints, and great hope in the commemoration of All Souls. We remain connected to those who have gone before us. And both feasts remind us of the reality of death – and encourage us to prepare properly for it.” Click here to read more as he reflects on living and dying.

Friday, October 23

Father John shares a feel good pandemic story this week is in video message. He reminds us that 3 things always last- faith, hope & love. Let’s all remember this even in these Pandemic days…

Friday, October 16

This week Father John writes, “…tithing and stewardship are so fundamental to who we are as disciples of Christ. We are a people of gratitude – of thanks. We recognize that every breath we take is a gift. Our tithe tells us whether or not what we say is actually true. ARE we grateful?” Click here to read the full Pastor’s Point.

Friday, October 9

This week Father John finds inspiration in the work of Richard Rorh. He reminds us that Jesus came for love. And, that even this during this pandemic we can learn and be transformed.

Friday, October 2

This week Father John challenges us when he says, “I believe that as Catholics, we should be leading the way in softer communication, more respectful dialogue, and a deep concern for the common good. This is the way of the gospel, the way of Christ, the way of His disciples.”

Click here to read more about restorative justice, reconciliation, and dialogue in his reflection

Friday, September 25

Friday, September 11

This week Father reflects upon why we sing the Psalm each week at Mass. He also reminds us that we are all each other’s brothers and sisters. Through the Psalms we are reminded of this worldwide community and form a heart of hope.

Friday, September 4

Even with our masks on, we are still praising! Doing the best we can to remind ourselves of our hope that God is with us – always. Thanks for all that you are doing to encourage one another! IN ALL THINGS (EVEN PANDEMIC!) LET US PRAISE THE LORD. AND GIVE HIM THANKS! AMEN! Click here to read the full message!

Friday August 28

Father John reminds us this week that we are created in the image and likeness of God and without God we are nothing. We share the very life of God. How do we respond?

Friday, August 21

A Message from Father John
Martin Rinkart was a pastor and hymn writer during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) in Germany. Not only did he have to deal with the long-running war but also a pestilence that decimated the population as he presided over their many deaths. He wrote the hymn NOW THANK WE ALL OUR GOD as a table prayer for his family. Click here to read Father John’s reflection of this very familiar song.

Friday, August 14

This week Father John talks about true kinship and reminds is that God’s vision is that “There is no daylight between us. We’re all one… Jesus was all about love…”

Friday, August 7

This week Father John seeks to help us answer the question often asked by Henri Nouwen, “How can we live inside a world marked by fear, hatred and violence – and not be destroyed by it?” He particularly challenges us to ask this question as it pertains to the racial division that have been unleashed in our communities in recent months. He suggests one of the answers is sustained daily prayer. Click here to read more.

Friday, July 24

Father John brings us a story today about “this wonderful, wacky world we call Catholic” which is sure to make us smile and maybe even laugh in his 15th Covid Message.

Friday, July 17

Father John begins his latest Pastor’s Point by writing, “One of the hardest things to accept in life is the fact that everything that is precious to us will, in some way, eventually be taken away. Right now, we are seeing that in a huge way in our experience of this pandemic. So many things have been taken away – the way we interacted with one another, church as we once knew it, gatherings for any kind of family event, travel, dining out, shopping, etc., etc., etc.” Click here to read the rest.

Friday, July 10

Friday, June 26

Here is an excerpt from Father John’s most recent post “One of our parishioner/ushers wrote to me offering a couple of reminders/tweaks which I hope you will take to heart to continue ensure the safety of all. Mark Shaefer is a pharmacist who has done research in the antiviral area for the last 27 years. So I think we can trust both his commitment to the parish – and his desire to help us do the best we can.” Click here to read the suggestions.

Wednesday, June 24

Click here to read this week’s Pastor’s Point regarding parish COVID exposure.

Friday, June 19

Friday, June 12

Click here to read this week’s Pastor’s Point.

Friday, June 5

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

The time has come! FINALLY!
I’m happy to announce that we will be getting back to Mass this weekend, June 6 – 7. As I said in my message a couple of weeks ago – it will look different for a while.However, there are a couple of changes to report to the original plan.

We will only be having 2 Masses: Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday at 11:00 a.m. We were unable to come up with enough volunteers to usher for 3 masses. If we can do so, and if there is the need for an additional mass, we will add a mass at 9:00 on Sunday in future weeks. Our recent experience of communion services in the parking lot showed that the later time proved more popular (Has everyone gotten in the habit of late Sunday mornings in their jammies?!).
The restrooms will be open, but they will not be sanitized between visitors, so they are to be used at your own risk.
Confessions will be held in the Fellowship Hall beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, socially distanced and standing (we cannot sanitize after each one). Mask is required. There may be a line and we will only be able to go until 4:30, so please be understanding if we cannot accommodate everyone this week.

Please be patient as we find out how this will go. Also, be kind to the greeters and ushers helping guide everyone. It’s their first time at this, too!
Reminders –

The cry room and nursery will be unavailable.
You must wear a mask in the church or the fellowship hall. If you do not have a mask or other suitable face covering, you are welcome to stay in the courtyard. Please remember that it is an act of charity toward your fellow worshipers to wear a mask.
Once the church reaches the distanced capacity, seating in the Fellowship Hall will begin. Follow the ushers’ directions.
The dispensation from Mass attendance still stands – we will post a recorded version of the Saturday 5:00 p.m. Mass on Sunday morning. Children’s Liturgy of the Word (CLOW) will also be available online.
Please DO NOT come if you are high-risk for COVID complications or are uncomfortable.
Daily Mass will be held Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 9:00 a.m. and will begin on June 10.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you this weekend! You’ll also see a new face at the altar – Deacon Steven DiMassimo. Deacon Steven is joining us for the summer as a transitional Deacon. Please join me in welcoming him to St. Andrew.

Be well and thanks for all you do,
Father John