Deacon Jon DeLuney Peace be with you! The words Jesus said to his disciples who were shut in behind locked doors for fear of the Jews. Sounds familiar in our current world as we are quarantined in our homes, voluntarily or by necessity, for fear of the coronavirus. What have we learned since we began living our lives in this new coronavirus world?
Despite our hearts being torn asunder by the losses we have experienced, such as our loss of Mass attendance and receiving Holy Communion, our confinement, loss of physical contact with family, friends, co-workers and our very livelihoods, we are blessed with new ways to live in this temporary world health crisis. We have learned to slow down, spend time with and appreciate our families, to reach out in kindness and to listen to where the Spirit is guiding us.
Through technology, we are afforded the ability to view Mass on a computer or TV screen, albeit with less than ten people in attendance, and receive spiritual communion. Many people receive personal messages via texting, emails or phone calls that help relieve the strain of loneliness. Many employees are able to work from home through the blessings of technology.
Volunteers who have been calling retired Saint Bonaventure parishioners, some who have no access to computers, report how grateful they are to hear from another parishioner. Some who are self-isolating also have grocery needs and those needs are being met by volunteers. What a wonderful expression of love, compassion and support!
We might begin to allow ourselves to be defeated by this unforgiving virus but for the mercy of God. We could allow ourselves to be the doubting Thomas who see no way out of this healthcare crisis, but with God’s Divine Mercy, there is hope. Hope is openly displayed in the innovative ways we are fighting this virus. Our healthcare professionals are seeking ways to define, treat and overcome this virus in a variety of ways.
No one could have imagined three months ago what we are enduring today in our local and world societies. Our trust in God’s mercy has brought us together. We don’t want to live like this indefinitely but our continued trust in God’s loving mercy is giving us the hope and strength to persevere. Joan and I will miss celebrating the annual Divine Mercy service that began in 2007 with you. We encourage you all to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. today and every day for a resolution to this corona virus. May God bless you and may you remain healthy during this time of testing.
Peace be with you!
Deacon Jon
Despite our hearts being torn asunder by the losses we have experienced, such as our loss of Mass attendance and receiving Holy Communion, our confinement, loss of physical contact with family, friends, co-workers and our very livelihoods, we are blessed with new ways to live in this temporary world health crisis. We have learned to slow down, spend time with and appreciate our families, to reach out in kindness and to listen to where the Spirit is guiding us.
Through technology, we are afforded the ability to view Mass on a computer or TV screen, albeit with less than ten people in attendance, and receive spiritual communion. Many people receive personal messages via texting, emails or phone calls that help relieve the strain of loneliness. Many employees are able to work from home through the blessings of technology.
Volunteers who have been calling retired Saint Bonaventure parishioners, some who have no access to computers, report how grateful they are to hear from another parishioner. Some who are self-isolating also have grocery needs and those needs are being met by volunteers. What a wonderful expression of love, compassion and support!
We might begin to allow ourselves to be defeated by this unforgiving virus but for the mercy of God. We could allow ourselves to be the doubting Thomas who see no way out of this healthcare crisis, but with God’s Divine Mercy, there is hope. Hope is openly displayed in the innovative ways we are fighting this virus. Our healthcare professionals are seeking ways to define, treat and overcome this virus in a variety of ways.
No one could have imagined three months ago what we are enduring today in our local and world societies. Our trust in God’s mercy has brought us together. We don’t want to live like this indefinitely but our continued trust in God’s loving mercy is giving us the hope and strength to persevere. Joan and I will miss celebrating the annual Divine Mercy service that began in 2007 with you. We encourage you all to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3 p.m. today and every day for a resolution to this corona virus. May God bless you and may you remain healthy during this time of testing.
Peace be with you!
Deacon Jon
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