Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: May 31, 2020
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Happy Pentecost! Public Masses continue to be celebrated at the Cathedral, although with a much smaller, safer attendance. “Foot traffic” to our Parish Office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is slowly increasing, too. (Telephone calls, to be honest, never really stopped!) As I said last week, it’s been great saying welcome back! Even though we’re a long way from returning to what used to be “normal,” there is a nice and sort-of satisfying sense of increasing predictability that seems to be lessening anxiety. My anxiety, at least! I think everyone is cautiously optimistic as we journey these next few months together.
Please stay prudent and remain “socially distanced” from people beyond your household. There is no obligation to attend Mass, since that has been dispensed indefinitely.
There is one permanent change to our schedule here at the Cathedral that is being made. From now on there will be no daily Mass or confessions on Thursdays. Each pastor is accorded a “day off” each week when he is not expected to provide scheduled services like this; my “day off” is Thursday. Most nearby pastors take another day off than that, so there are plenty of opportunities to confess and attend daily Mass on Thursdays around Baton Rouge. No one is being deprived unfairly!
“Why now?” you might ask. Frankly, it’s something I’ve thought of for a while but never got around to doing. Father Don Ajoko, the Director of Pastoral Care and a chaplain at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, was contracted to take the Thursday Mass; we are deeply appreciative of his service over the years. Yet now, however, because of his daily exposure to Covid-19 patients that cannot continue. All in all, it just seems the opportune moment to change to a more standard diocesan-wide practice. Thank you so much for understanding.
Finally, with the temporary absence of hymnals from the church building, a few people have asked about purchasing a personal resource to help them follow at least the Bible readings at Mass. I have a few suggestions. One is a free option: on your computer or smartphone, just go to http://usccb.org/bible/readings/ for the readings of the day. If you’d prefer a disposable, monthly periodical, Give Us This Day by Liturgical Press and the Magnificat Magazine come in print versions as well as electronic apps. The best hand missal for purchase is Midwest Theological Forum’s The New Daily Roman Missal, and it’s really not too pricey when you consider it will last a lifetime. I suggest calling the local Catholic Art and Gifts store on Florida Boulevard here in Baton Rouge (225-926-1216) to purchase any of these, although you can also find them online.
Rejoicing in Christ’s Gift of the Spirit,
Father Paul Counce
