Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: May 03, 2020
The Covid19 “coronavirus” pandemic continues. But there are a few hints that things will be changing a little soon. It remains to be seen if this means progress or not.
The Governor has said he plans to “open up” the State’s economy a bit during May. That’s a good thing for those who’ll be able to go back to work, especially for those whose families have been devastated economically.
But there won’t be much good news, I’ll bet. I must write this before the Governor’s actual announcement, but I suspect that there won’t be any change for religious activities, not right away. Though some businesses will be permitted to re-start, the now familiar practices of “social distancing” will have to continue. Large gatherings of persons are just not likely to be allowed, and religious gatherings easily fall into that category.
Perhaps things may change later in May or in June. But I was genuinely disheartened by last week’s announcements by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control that so far there’s no evidence of any immunity or higher resistance to the virus even by those who’ve had it! Gradually coming to the realization that I and everyone else will catch it has been hard enough, but if it becomes a constant fear that we’ll never be safe again, well, that’s even harder to deal with. And not just for you and me as individuals, but for the whole fabric of our society and Church.
As a Church, what will we be able to do, really? That’s the million-dollar question for now. Can the Church realistically prevent persons from risking their lives at worship? Can we refuse admission to the elderly and others who are similarly especially vulnerable? Can we adequately screen people at the door by taking their temperature and quizzing them about symptoms and who they’ve been around? Can “social distancing,” face masks and hand hygiene be guaranteed? Can we effectively disinfect pews, door handles and restrooms before and after every service? Should all churches be allowed to reopen or just those whose spaces seem safest?
Should attendees be restricted, say, to only a small group of 10 to 40 persons? Surely handshakes and hugs expressing peace, and communion – at least from the chalice – won’t return until and if there is a vaccine developed. But some already also object to congregational singing, for this means sharing more breath than simply by the spoken word, even through a mask! But to somehow turn Mass into an event in which we never actually interact with one another or fully participate in the liturgy would be a perversion of the Eucharist, I think.
Sigh! I just don’t know. There are so many things to worry about and no clear solutions yet! I have to say that I’m much more discouraged right now than I was just a few weeks ago. Apparently there’s no antidote to disappointment and even a little gloominess either!
I have one definitely good thing to report: all of the lightbulbs up near the Cathedral’s ceiling have now been changed. By the time you read this the scaffolding will be coming down. This was a major project, and we were fortunate to be able to accomplish it while the building was empty for these many weeks. I can’t wait for you all to have the chance to come see!
Still – and always! – in the Risen Lord,
Very Rev. Paul D. Counce
