July 10, 2020
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” (St. Mother Teresa)
Dear Friends,
As we move forward with the work of being a more just, equitable, and peaceful community, facing the sins of racism and inequity, and as we continue to struggle to deal with the burdens and dangers of a pandemic, remembering those who are suffering and those working so hard at the front lines, it might seem as if the tasks ahead seem so daunting that we are paralyzed.
Yet people of faith and good will know that we must do something, and even if it never seems enough, we face the ocean of complexity with drive, determination and hope founded in the Holy Spirit. Our Family of Four Parishes commits itself to the tasks at hand. Please see our websites and follow email blasts and postings to stay informed of opportunities for how you can do your “little” part.
We know that most of all, we need to commit ourselves to prayer and the Holy Eucharist. As we gradually reopen our churches for public Mass, thank you for your patience as we make the adjustments needed to do so prudently and safely. As always we will try to communicate as best as possible in these challenging circumstances.
Here are a few points for these next two weekends:
As stated, our main Mass is still the YouTube Mass. Though it is not perfect, it brings us together in prayer and worship over the miles.
Our staff has worked so hard in the gradual reopening of the churches. After the first weekend, things are in place for the rest of July and will help us make decisions about further expanding as more data comes in about the virus.
This Sunday’s 9 am Mass at Old St. Mary has hit capacity so we will not be able to fit in any more based on the Archdiocesan guidelines. If you want to attend an in-person Mass this weekend, there are still places available for the 4 pm Saturday Mass at St. Casimir. The sign-up deadline has been extended until 4 pm Friday. See the Our Lady of Divine Providence website for sign-up.
Next weekend, the Saturday 4:30 pm Mass on July 18 will be at St. Hedwig, not Holy Rosary (Air-conditioning!). The Sunday Ss. Peter and Paul Mass is 9:30 am.
Please continue to pray for the many needs of our city, state, country and world, remembering those who are struggling and suffering in any way. The ocean is large, but God is bigger!
Video Mass for Sunday July 12th. Here is the recorded Mass celebrated by Fr. Tim and Fr. John for this upcoming Sunday (the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time). We provide a worship aid to help you better enter into the prayer of the Mass. Please know that we will continue these recorded Masses indefinitely. We are so grateful to DV Productions, our Liturgists Mary Robertson and Brian Eggers, and our music ministers for their efforts in making our prayer as beautiful as possible.
Parish Financial Support. We continue to be humbled by your financial support of the parish during these tender and tenuous times. Thank you so much, it has been amazing to witness the generosity of so many! Please mail in your envelopes and contributions to our parish office (Old St. Mary Parish, 835 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202), and our parish staff will process these.
Please do not hesitate to contact either Fr. Tim (Cell: 414-762-7986; kitzket@archmil.org) or Fr. John (Cell: 414-305-3824; baumgardnerj@archmil.org) if you need anything! Be assured of our love and prayers.
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. Tim and Fr. John
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