Hello Salem,

Now that I have no social life due to the virus, I've started hiking again. I love being out in the woods, and these days, the quiet and beauty of nature feel so therapeutic to me. My first time out this summer, I marveled at everything I saw - lush trees, the homey smell of pine, the sound of the river running, the chirps of chipmunks, and birds warning each other of my presence. I was really overwhelmed by the beauty around me. 

Then, I got a little lost. Just a little... I ended up taking an extra loop across a field and into another part of the forest and started to get a little tired, and a little anxious. It wasn't that long, my time off the main trail, but I noticed that the more lost I felt, the more narrow my focus became. I stopped noticing the beauty, stopped hearing the sounds around me, and started to look only at the trail just in front of me. Once I got my bearings and knew where I was again, I started to widen my view, to relax and see the beauty again. Of course, the world in that side-loop was probably really beautiful, but I didn't have the bandwidth to take it in. 

I think this happens to all of us and may be happening to all of us right now, in the face of the climate we are in right now. Before this pandemic hit, our parish was dreaming of being a place of welcome and healing, a mission that God seems to keep making clear to us as a body. When we were asked to shut our buildings, we naturally had to narrow our view to handle the path that was just ahead of us- a path that has seemed to change from week to week, day to day. And of course, this time of narrow focus continues- we're not out of the woods yet (sorry). But I want us to remember that the beauty is still here, our mission continues, and we do not stop walking toward God's dream for us. 

We wash our hands, put on our masks, attend Mass as we're comfortable (online, or in the parking lot), check on each other, support the parish with our donations, and with our prayers, and we keep walking. Thank you, MQOA, for walking this path together! 

-Margo

We're so excited to be able to continue Drive-In Mass this Sunday. If you'd like to join us for Mass this Sunday, please register your family. Please note that if it is rainy or too hot (over 80F), we will not hold outdoor Masses. You can check our Facebook page for updates on the 9:30 AM Mass by 8:00 AM on Sunday, and updates on our 12:00 Spanish Mass by 9:30 AM on Sunday.

We'll continue to offer our weekend Online Mass, as well, and will continue our regular schedule of offerings until we're ready to make changes safely and prayerfully. The Cardinal's dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation continues for everyone, even if Masses are being offered in churches in their area.

6:00 PM Sunday join us for our new night of prayer, praise and connection called Something More.  It's less like Mass and more like a combination of coffee/donuts and Alpha nights.
Meeting ID: 889 0982 7026  Password: 235802

A MESSAGE FROM FR. MURRAY

This week’s readings remind us that every kind of action counts. One of the more overwhelmingly positive things I have seen during this pandemic is the generosity of so many people. Whether it is the ongoing support of front-line workers in the COVID-19 crisis, the action confronting racial violence and systemic racism, or the ongoing support of the parish, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, or the Catholic Appeal, God’s grace flows through every generous and courageous action. It is every act of love that strengthens our capability to continue to love and make sacrifices.

Christians are called to be people of love and action. There is a contemplative part of our faith that I love. I find comfort sitting in the church in front of the tabernacle in silence, simply recognizing that Jesus is alive and, calling us to follow Him. In reading the scriptures and reflecting on this week’s Gospel, I am reminded that, as fond, as we may be of doing this, we are also people of action. Jesus did not model a life of only contemplative prayer. He combined a deep internal prayer life with specific external actions. These actions from Jesus were sometimes very big and very public, and sometimes they were privately given to one individual. Living our faith this way opens us all to be able, with prayer, to grow and deepen our individual relationship with God, and it allows us the freedom to offer what we can, according to our means, to those in need around us.

During these past months, it has really been quite moving to see the work of so many, including the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Their capacity to help so many within the confines of the safety guidelines is somewhat miraculous. I hope you will include them in your prayers as ones who give the little ones so much as a drink. (Mt. 10:42)

Our plans for the Mass continue to evolve. Eventually, we will be able to broadcast Mass live on the internet via Facebook or Zoom, as well as broadcast via FM transmitter to the parking lot, and begin in-person Masses in the lower hall at St. James. We know that we need to offer a safe, accessible, easily cleanable space for the Mass. At the same time, we want to invite everyone to be able to come as close as they are able, or are inclined to, for Mass. Eventually, we hope people come to Mass, receive Holy Communion for themselves, and ask for an extra host for someone at home who is elderly or infirmed and bring them the Eucharist (in a pyx).

This idea is not anything new. St. Charles Borromeo, (1538-1584) at the time of the plague in Milan, offered Masses outdoors. He also gave many laypeople permission to bring Communion home to the infirm. This was a radical move at the time, as the Eucharist had, by then, moved indoors, and was one of the central works of priests (as it still is). St. Charles knew that he could trust his people, and trust God, in making these changes. We are living in very challenging times, and the best thing we can do is to take care of ourselves and others. Sometimes that means giving an actual cup of water to the thirsty, and sometimes it will mean wearing a mask or adapting as well as we can to keep others safe while assuring access to the sacraments. We have so much to do in contemplation and action. I hope you will join me in both of these ways of praying.

Peace, Fr. Murray

UN MENSAJE DEL PADRE MURRAY

Las lecturas de esta semana nos recuerdan que cada acción amable cuenta. Una de las cosas más abrumadoras que he visto en medio de esta pandemia es la clara generosidad de tanta gente. Ya sea el apoyo continuo de los trabajadores de primera línea en la crisis de Covid19, la reacción ante la confrontación de la violencia racial y el racismo sistémico, o el apoyo continuo de la parroquia, a la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl o a la Campaña Católica, la gracia de Dios fluye a través de cada acción generosa y valiente. Cada acción de amor fortalece nuestra capacidad de continuar amando y hacer sacrificios, y nos recuerda que estamos llamados a ser personas de amor y acción.

Hay una parte contemplativa de nuestra fe que yo amo. Me siento cómodo sentado en la iglesia frente al tabernáculo, en silencio, simplemente reconociendo que Jesús está vivo y nos llama a seguirlo. Al leer las Escrituras y reflexionar sobre el Evangelio de esta semana, recuerdo que por mucho que nos guste hacer esto, también somos personas de acción. Jesús no fue modelo de la oración contemplativa aislada, sino que combinó una vida de oración profunda con acciones que incluían actividades específicas, y con Jesús a veces eran grandes y muy públicas y a veces se daban en privado en nombre de un individuo. Esto nos permite a todos decir que, con la oración, podemos crecer y profundizar nuestra relación individual con Dios, y nos da la libertad de ofrecer lo que podamos, de acuerdo con nuestros medios, a los necesitados que nos rodean.

Realmente ha sido muy conmovedor ver el trabajo de mucha gente, incluyendo a los que colaboran con la Sociedad de San Vicente de Paúl, en estos días. Su capacidad para ayudar a tantas personas dentro de los límites de las reglas de la pandemia es algo milagroso. Espero que los tengan en sus oraciones como aquellos que dan a los pequeños algo de beber (Mt. 10:41).

Nuestros planes para la misa continúan evolucionando. Estamos pensando que eventualmente tendremos una transmisión masiva en vivo por Internet, a través de Facebook o Zoom, una transmisión de radio en el estacionamiento y, comenzaremos las misas en el salón de abajo de St. James.

Tenemos claro que, para la misa, debemos ofrecer un espacio seguro, accesible y fácil de limpiar. Al mismo tiempo, queremos invitar a todos a que se acerquen a la misa lo más que puedan. Eventualmente veremos que las personas que pueden venir a misa, recibirán por sí mismos la comunión y pedirán una hostia extra. Luego van a regresar a casa con un portaviáticos para llevarle la Eucaristía a alguien mayor o que está enfermo.Esta idea no es nada nueva. San Carlos Borromeo, (15381584) en el momento de la plaga en Milán, ofreció misas al aire libre. También dio permiso a muchos laicos para llevar la comunión a los enfermos. Este fue un movimiento radical en el momento en que la Eucaristía se había mudado hacia adentro y era una de las obras centrales de los sacerdotes. (Como todavía lo es). Sin embargo, al adaptarse a la situación, San Carlos sabía que podía confiar en su pueblo y confiar en que Dios haría estos cambios.

Estamos viviendo tiempos muy difíciles y lo mejor que podemos hacer es cuidarnos a nosotros mismos y a los demás, a veces eso significa darle un vaso de agua a los sedientos y a veces significa usar una máscara o adaptarnos lo mejor que podamos para mantener a otros a salvo, mientras se asegura el acceso a los sacramentos. Tenemos mucho que hacer al orar contemplativamente y actuar. Espero que se unan a mí en ambas actividades.

Paz, Padre Murray