Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: March 22, 2020
Well, something remarkable has happened! In many ways it’s remarkably unfortunate and sad, too. As you have no doubt heard by now, Bishop Michael Duca announced this past week the cancellation of public Masses in our diocese effective this past Tuesday until after Easter at least. He did this in concert with the other bishops of the State of Louisiana, and indeed it is something most other dioceses in our nation now have done. In fact, it’s becoming a world-wide phenomenon: even in the Vatican public Masses are now suspended!
Why did he do this? The Covid19 (corona) virus health emergency. Since the national Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta began to recommend groups of no more than 50 persons assemble, and then others at the federal level went further, advising groups of more than 10 be avoided, well it was just a matter of time before the danger impacted our area in practical ways.
Much is still unknown. We don’t know how long this unusual state of affairs will last. The bishop is continuing to meet with the Priests’ Council and other advisers in making decisions about things that need to be addressed. But we do know that virtually all gatherings of parishioners will now not take place: they will have to be postponed indefinitely or cancelled outright.
From looking at what other dioceses have done, I suspect that baptisms, weddings and funerals – with the immediate family present, but without Mass – will be permitted. The Cathedral will be open, perhaps on a more limited schedule, for private prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament reposed in the tabernacle. CatholicLife Television no doubt will broadcast Mass often. Everyone will be encouraged to focus on their own personal spiritual life, using the Bible, the Liturgy of the Hours, the rosary and other devotional prayers, family time and increased charity, as well as Catholic television and radio, to deepen their faith during this difficult time. Certainly our uppermost intention is the good health of all those threatened by this pandemic, but we’ll also be praying for a swift return to normalcy for both society and the Church!
Fortunately, Bishop Duca has dispensed all Catholics from the Sunday Mass obligation here in the Diocese of Baton Rouge. So no one has to worry about the sinfulness of missing Mass. What is more, he and all of the priests of the diocese are committed to enabling continued spiritual encouragement for everyone.
Around the world many have wondered “is this is the best approach?”, especially given that in times past – such as during the times of bubonic plague in the Middle Ages – the faithful usually had recourse to church as a powerful place of prayer. Well, frankly, that was true, but they had no other knowledge or course of action. They didn’t know about viruses, or the importance of cleanliness in avoiding illness. They didn’t have clean water or sanitation, or sources of food beyond their own fields and flocks. God is not a puppet-master controlling the forces of nature; His creation acts according to His will and wisdom, and we must live in the world He created as best we can. In particular, we don’t seek superstitiously to appease or impress Him by our actions. It’s okay to hope for a miracle, but never at the expense of doing what we can too. We rather continue to pray to the Lord for inspiration and strength, and for solace and comfort – and cooperate together to do what we can as well.
This kind of decision to temporarily suspend the daily and Sunday Mass is motivated by an abundance of caution and concern for the vulnerable. It is based on the imperative of the common good. We have a moral obligation to do our part to help limit and mitigate the spread of this life-threatening illness.
In the meantime? Keep the faith, which has endured worse and still survives after almost 2,000 years. Again, use this time to pray for those who are being harmed the most by the coronavirus and the collateral damage – especially economic and psychological – it is doing to our lives. Unite yourselves in spiritual communion with others, and know that there will be a return to communal worship when the advantage of the common good makes it right to do so.
All other preventive measures recommended by governmental and health officials remain important: avoid all contact with sick persons, and don’t endanger vulnerable persons. Cover your sneezes and coughs with tissues (or the sleeve at your elbow), and wash your hands often with soap and water. Try not to shake hands, but greet people with a smile instead. Avoid touching your face after touching either other people or hard or wet surfaces. Even if not required to do so by your employer and the government, stay home and so stay safe. If you do get together with others to pray, to socialize and to do business, please make use of every means possible to lessen the likelihood that the disease spreads.
Lastly, be sure you stay in touch with your Cathedral Parish by checking our website and Facebook page. If you’ve given us your email address we’ll try to contact you directly with important information. And don’t be shy about contacting us at office@cathedralbr.org or 225-387-5928 if you ever need.
Oh, before I forget: thanks for understanding and going along with all of this, for as long as this health emergency lasts.
I’m praying for and with you!
Rev. Paul D. Counce
