In the midst of the unprecedented times in which we are living, it has been a great blessing for me as pastor to witness how our parish and school staff and parishioners have adapted to life with masks, social distancing, and doing as much as we can to maintain safety and good health. Last June I was thrilled that we were able to have a Graduation Mass for our 8^th grade students. Kudos to Mrs. Nancy Carr and the St. Agatha School faculty and staff. My heart went out to our high school seniors who were deprived of a proper graduation ceremony this year. Helen Waring our Youth Minister contacted a number of the grads and invited them to join us in person or via livestream for a Baccalaureate Mass at a 5pm Sunday Mass. But then, what about those adults who had been preparing to become fully initiated Catholics at Easter?

Well, we were able to have the Sacraments of Initiation celebrated the day before the Feast of Corpus Christi, and their families and closest friends were able to share the joy of that day with them. Early on in the COVID crisis, before we could have public Masses resume, we were unable to have Funeral Masses and instead in many cases just performed a burial service at the cemetery. My heart went out to the grieving family members. Since then we have been able to have memorial Masses for those who had passed to the Lord early in the pandemic, and it is a blessing to be able to have Funeral Masses celebrated for those who have passed in recent days. Four public Masses for Sunday, and 9am Mass every day during the week, including Saturday, bring a number of people to Church to gather as a community of faith, listen to God’s Word and share in the Holy Eucharist, while those unable to attend in-person can participate through livestreaming of the Masses, thanks to the remarkable competence and generosity of Deacon Dan Sullivan.

Does it seem a bit strange to see everyone wearing masks, and following the protocols about where and how to receive Holy Communion? Well, yes, a bit, but it seems to me that folks are adapting very well and putting up with whatever inconveniences there are, because quite frankly receiving the Lord and doing our best to ensure good health and safety are worth it. Weddings, though scaled down, have been celebrated. I’ve had the privilege of participating in a couple of them so far, and it’s been a delight. Later this month we’ll have a wedding ceremony here, but outside on the patio behind the chapel. Carolyn Ferguson our wedding co-ordinator has worked out all the details. We’ve also had a number of baptisms celebrated here, fewer numbers of infants at each ceremony, but more frequent ceremonies than prior to the pandemic. We’ve just had Fr. Bob Connors our Vicar of this South Region celebrate 2 of the 4 Confirmation ceremonies, with the remaining ones scheduled for September and October. And it’s been a delight to be celebrating a number of First Holy Communion Masses whether with a larger group of First Communicants at special Saturday Masses, or with a smaller number and their families at our regularly scheduled Sunday Masses, generally 11am and 5pm. I am so proud of those who have prepared folks young and not-so-young for these sacramental moments, those who have taken part in these celebrations, and those who have been working extra hours to keep our church building clean after these liturgical events, Mrs. Julie Fay our Music Director and the cantors have made a variety of adaptations to bring the beauty of sacred music into our new liturgical framework.

I am also very grateful to Mrs. Beth Peterson our Faith Formation Director for the younger children, Mrs. Jenn Caputo who assists her, and Mrs. Helen Waring our Middle School and High School Faith Formation Co-ordinator and Youth Minister for the way they collaborate so effectively and with great generosity help one another at these blessed sacramental moments. I want to acknowledge with deep gratitude the efforts of all our rectory and parish staff for the way they have all pulled together and have had “one another’s back” during these peculiar times. I thank our other parish volunteers, liturgical ministers, ambassadors who guide folks into church and at Communion time for their generosity, teamwork, and flexibility. And I thank you our parishioners for your willingness to adapt to the requirements we have in place to help ensure everyone’s safety and good health, as we all strive to give God the worship that God deserves, assist one another, do our part to build up our parish community of faith, and take delight in the gift of the Sacraments in which we are blessed to participate even with masks on and social distancing observed. I am so grateful to my brother priests with whom I am privileged to serve here who have likewise shown great adaptability. All of this gives me great pride to be your pastor, as I witness the wonderful ways God is working within and among us.

But as we praise God and support one another here, you’ll note in this week’s bulletin the truth that worshipping God and strengthening our own parish community are meant to bear fruit in outreach to others. You’ll note pictures of some of the great work that our teens and teens from St. Mary of the Hills and St. Elizabeth Parishes accomplished during their local week of service a week ago, and the current opportunity open to us all to reach out and assist people in need who turn to St. Matthew’s Food Pantry in Dorchester through our donations of non-perishable food items. Collection bins can be found by the garage bays behind the rectory. Items will be accepted until the end of next weekend (August 15-16). Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Have a blessed week!
Fr. Palardy