Hey Y’all,
Fr. Reynold here…and unless you’re a hermit, you know we’re all supposed to shut down for a time. Below, you can read the directive all the Pastors received from Bishop Vann. Our Bishop is following the order issued by our Governor, Mr. Newsom. The directive states…
“In light of the GOVERNOR’S ORDER FOR ALL CALIF. RESIDENTS TO REMAIN AT HOME, EXCEPT ESSENTIAL SERVICES INDIVIDUALS, we want to provide further clarifications and reminders about public and private gatherings.
What does this mean for our Parishes, Schools, Pastoral Center and Cathedral Campus?
- AS PUBLIC PLACES, OUR CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND CAMPUS WILL NEED TO CLOSE
TO PUBLIC ENTRY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE PER THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER. THIS WILL
ALSO INCLUDE CONDUCTING BAPTISMS (unless in an emergency), WEDDINGS,
RECEPTIONS, EVENTS, GROUPS, SOCIETIES, DEVOTIONS, CHOIRS, FUNERAL VIGILS,
ROSARIES, AND ANYTHING THAT CAUSES PEOPLE TO GATHER IN ONE PLACE. THE
ANOINTING OF THE SICK WITH PROPER PRECAUTIONS IS TO BE CONTINUED.”
As you can see, the language is emphatic. We will follow the directives of Bishop Vann intentionally, because by doing so we can help contain the virus. And we will follow Bishop Vann’s directives out of obedience because it is a spiritual discipline! Please don’t look for ways to get around this. That’s not good for you spiritually.
Holy Trinity is going to offer the celebration of the Mass “virtually” by live-streaming. Mass, and your intentions at Mass, will continue as always. Fr. John and I are mandated to celebrate Mass and our Divine Office daily. We have done so since our Ordinations without a lot of you even knowing that we do this. In that way, prayer for you has been on-going virtually even if you’re unaware. And while the physicality of the Sacraments is important – since God made us physical creatures -there are seasons when the physical celebration of the Sacraments isn’t possible. A season of pandemic qualifies as that.
So, here’s how I’d ask you all to think about this. Virtual celebration- we’ve got that. Physical presence is temporarily unavailable. But the Spiritual celebration and presence and reality- the grace that is given by praising and worshiping and being obedient- that isn’t compromised at all!!! So, let’s not be glum or
crabby, or sad. Instead let’s practice the spiritual reality of our faith in our current situation! God hasn’t changed. The Incarnation hasn’t changed. Our need to Worship hasn’t changed. And while community might be different physically, we’re still bond together spiritually! We are Roman Catholics living by
faith!
So now for the specifics…
– The Office and Church are officially closed. But the phone still works for immediate needs. Call a need arises. You might have to leave a message. My extension is 105. Fr. John’s is 10
– We’re going to suspend physical ministry activities for the time being. But as soon as we get the signal, we’ll be happy to see y’all again. And we’re looking forward to being active again!
– We’re still working on-line, and sending out resources. If you’re hunkering down, and I hope that you are, please take some time to grow spiritually through the on-line resources we’re offering. There are cartoons for the kids, studies for teens and adults. Plus there is devotional stuff galore. You’re got the time! Have at it!
– We’ll live stream Sunday Mass tomorrow at 8:30 AM. I know that this might not be your regular Mass time. Get up at 8:30 pray with us, and then go back to bed if you want to. This might be the only time you can attend Mass in your bath robe and slippers! Enjoy it!If 8:30 is too early you can check out other Diocesan or parish streams. There is a list with links at the bottom of this email. I was going to write out a little devotional on the daily readings every day, but instead we’re going to live-stream daily Mass. So you can tune into that at 8:30 AM, Monday – Friday. I might still write a little something, so watch for that on the parish webpage!
– If there is a need for a funeral, please contact me or Fr. John. You can also try Greg Wieckert one of our bereavement ministers – (714) 349-8465. There are special conditions for the celebration of funerals at this time. We can work with each family within the directives.
– Fr. John and I can also celebrate the Sacrament of the Sick for those who are suffering serious illness. Please contact us as the need arises.
– Please look for more information about live-streaming liturgies and other Holy Trinity info as time marches on. We’ll get y’all some palms for Palm (Passion) Sunday. We’ll give you times for Holy Week and Easter as we get closer to those dates.
– I’d ask you to concentrate some prayer time on those who are sick. There are some Holy Trinity families that are victims of this pandemic. There might be more in the coming days. Please pray for strength, hope, healing and the restoration of physical and emotional health for all.
So y’all, keep up the prayer. Keep the faith. Encourage each other thru electronics – maybe more phone calls than texts or emails. You’re got time. Talk to each other. Listen to each other. Take care of each other. Be patient with each other! Concentrating on patience, kindness, giving of your time and talent, and prayer…and then throw in some fasting and it sounds like a good way to mature in this weirdly grace-filled Lent!
And please know that I’m expectantly waiting for that joyous time where we can call get together physically, seeing each other face to face!!!
Blessings,
Fr. Reynold
List of Mass broadcast and livestreams
Message of Hope and Tips for dealing with COVID-19
The following two articles were written by one of our parishioners, Dr. Gina Rodinelli. She is a practicing psychologist who offers some great insight, with ways to cope during this time of pandemic.