As the quarantines continue, there are a lot of mixed emotions. For some the panic is subduing and they are getting accustomed to things. Others are still anxious about what else could happen. I continue to encourage you to reach out to one another, and to be open and frank about where you are with trusted friends and loved ones.
And as a Spiritual Master, St. Francis De Sales, once said, “Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who takes care of you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. So put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginings.”
If you do need to get ahold of me to talk, it will be easier if you emailed me directly at Josephop@gmail.com
STREAMING MASS this Sunday from St. Florence at 10 am. There will be a link on the St. Florence Home Page
Unfortunately, Masses will be in private for the foreseeable future. Easter services, as well as Holy Week services, will be in private… Just heard from the Bishop, it will be until May 1st.
For those entering the Church, the Sacraments of Initiation have been postponed. I have not heard anything, but I would guess Pentecost, May 31st, would be a fitting time to welcome new Catholics.
It seems we will continue the Tuesday and Wednesday Adoration and Confession from 5 pm to 7 pm. Reminder: please keep six feet from others. If someone sits to close to you and you are uncomfortable, please move at least six feet away. I tell you this so you won’t have to feel rude, and you can just say you’re being obedient to the Padre. J Our church continues to be thoroughly cleaned. Thank you, Vicky, for this service to the community!
For those who are able, please consider making a financial contribution. Please, do consider your financial position first. It is prudent and holy to ensure you and your families are provided for. They are the domestic Church. The institutional Church will survive this, like always. By the grace of God, St. Florence is in a good financial position. However, St. Joseph’s, who handles much of our administration regarding finances and the Sacraments, is not so fortunate. Please consider making donations there. They can be mailed to
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
514 24th Street, Ogden, UT 84401
Another way to donate to St Joseph’s, easy and secure, is online giving. You can set up a one time or repeating donation. The link for St Joe’s is https://giving.parishsoft.com/App/Giving/stjosephgiving.
***************
I encourage you to try to focus your thoughts on Scripture, particularly the Gospels. This might be a time to grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s also a more pleasant, maybe exciting, and hopeful way to spend your time. St. Jerome taught, “Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”The depth of Scripture is divine. I’m attaching a couple documents on Lectio divina, maybe translates to Sacred reading.
The articles I’ve attached are very good. There is not just one way to pray it, so I thought I’d outline the basics for you in case you’re not interested in all the details.
- The Reading. Slowly read a passage. Listen to what the passage is telling you.
- Meditation. Some people feel a word or phrase is calling them. Others ponder a particular point or message. The Ignatian method asks the reader to imagine being there at the scene. What was Jesus, or Mary, or Peter like during the incident, etc.?
- Prayer. This needs to be a conversation with God. Ask what the passage means, or how is it meant to change you. Ask for the grace to make a change when it is clear to you. It’s okay to wrestle with God.
- Contemplation. This is a loaded term that means, from my understanding, different things to Benedictine that it does to Carmelites. The Benedictines view it as a time of quiet (no mental discourse/dialogue/monologue). Carmelites view it more as an act of God, capturing and taking over though it’s very natural and you don’t recognize what’s happening. Either way, spend some time letting the prayer ease into your being, meaning your heart and habit of thought. The Scripture needs to be a part of who you are; not a list of things you should or should not do.
- Ease out of prayer. St. Francis De Sales, quoted above, also taught that we should never rush in or out of prayer. He also taught to prepare for what’s next. Are you about to drive to work and deal with traffic? Prepare for it and don’t let it take your peace. Are you going to see your spouse, children or parents? Share your peace with them. Going to bed? Prepare to keep pondering the Scripture passage you just read until you fall peacefully asleep.
I hope this helps!
Attached are the prayers we had started to include at Mass. I thought it would be a nice sign of unity if we continued to offer these prayers up from our homes.
God bless, Fr. Joseph
Attachments (click on each to open):
St. Florence Catholic Church 
Leave a Reply