Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: March 08, 2020
Sickness makes headlines! Over the past couple of weeks, the recent “coronavirus” that originated in China and the even more deadly flu virus that seems to plague us every year have dominated the daily news. Nobody likes to be sick, and especially with illnesses for which there is really no real cure or sure means of prevention. As I write this, while there are no coronavirus cases in Louisiana, since mid-October 2019 there have been 3,000 to 4,000 new cases of plain ol’ flu each week in Louisiana, with about 50 deaths from it each week in our State.
This has led some to wonder if here in the USA or in our diocese, as in a few other parts of the world, public gatherings such as church services or classes in schools might be forbidden. Even when permitted, the dynamics of such assemblies could be modified, even severely.
Well, first of all, please let me address everyone’s worries, at least about Mass and other Church activities: we will always do our best to follow best medical practices, and urge you to do the same. If things get very much worse, I’m sure we’ll take appropriate actions as needed.
What else to do? Obviously, if you are sick stay home! There’s never any obligation to attend Mass if ill or caring for the sick, and in fact deliberately to place others in danger of infection would itself be seriously sinful! And always at Mass, if you’d prefer you certainly may wish peace to each other without physical contact, refrain from receiving holy communion on the tongue and/or from the chalice, and use wipes and sanitizer on yourself and furniture. While the chance of transmission of germs and viruses is very low among healthy people, these – along with frequent handwashing, and covering coughs and sneezes – are rather obviously the best means of prevention.
In the meantime, both Bishop Duca for the diocese and I for our Parish have decided that there is no need for further restrictions at this time. If I can be a bit light-hearted about it, remember, it was Jesus Himself who said, “Take all of you and eat … and … take all of you and drink.” It is not our place to contradict Him, merely to do what He said in the best possible way!
Let’s see, what else needs mentioning here? Last week I worried here in this column that replacing our ceiling lights in the Cathedral would drive us out of the church into the Parish Hall for Mass soon. Well, I was wrong: but only when I wrote the word “soon”! After a careful look at the needs of the contractors and our own calendars, we’re just not going to be able to do it during Lent; it will have to wait until the dead of summer, in July. That’s actually good for our spirituality in this holy season of prayer and penance, and it’s especially excellent news for our liturgical musicians who miss being away from the great acoustics and magnificent pipe organs in the Cathedral itself. We’ll just have to make do with the present, but slowly degrading lighting-system in the church for a few months longer.
Lastly, plan already to purchase your tickets and join us for The Cathedral Evening on Saturday, April 25. Since it’s a day when we honor special parishioners and friends who have done so much for our community at a Mass and banquet, be a part of it! And remember, this is your last chance to nominate someone either as one of our own St. Joseph’s Apprentices or for the Cathedral Community Award. Just email me at pastor@cathedralbr.org with your suggestion and the reasons behind it.
In the Lord,
Very Rev. Paul D. Counce
