Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: January 24, 2021
Last weekend Bishop Duca wrote a letter to everyone in the diocese, urging us all to “stay the course” in these challenging times. (If you didn’t get a chance to read it yet, go to the diocesan website at www.diobr.org, or to his videotaped message there or on the website of CatholicLife Television, www.catholiclifetv.org) Noting that we all have a serious responsibility to care for each other during the coronavirus pandemic, he urged us to continue to wear masks and stay safely distanced from those outside of our homes, especially when we come to church or take part in other Parish activities.
Due to the bishop’s cautious and caring approach, here at the Cathedral there won’t be any significant changes. We will still be open for Mass and confessions at the usual times on weekends and weekdays, with the same limitations on numbers and spacing that we’ve had since June. We can still offer our beloved “coffee and donuts” on Sunday mornings, since we host this so safely. While everyone is still dispensed from any obligation to come to Mass – and it’s especially smart to stay at home if your age or medical situation puts you at more serious risk – there’s never any excuse for not praying or exercising virtue at home, or when you do need to go out carefully for groceries, medicines and other necessities.
Bishop Duca also mentioned that there is no moral or medical problem with being vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus. Pope Francis and his collaborators in Rome, plus the US Conference of Catholic Bishops as well as very reliable moral theologians, have all verified this. While research done years ago on the stem cells of aborted babies has contributed to the scientific knowledge used in developing the vaccines, the vaccines themselves do not contain such material. No one is contributing to new abortions today by seeking the greater good of health by being vaccinated. Evil doesn’t become okay from its accidental good effects, but we can learn from mistakes. Trying to explain to somebody else last week I used this example: “Good things can come out of very unfortunate events, like in war for example, when evil enemies are vanquished.” Whatever evil may have been involved in past scientific research, it is now so remote from us today that you’re not an accomplice, and therefore commit no sin.
Along with his letter to everyone, the bishop also penned a second letter to the clergy of the diocese. He made it clear to us priests and deacons that he expects us to “strictly” monitor our activities and enforce our own safe behaviors – both personally and with our families, and in each Parish Office and rectory (living space). After all, if priests contract the coronavirus or even are just exposed to it, especially, this removes us from ministry for one to two weeks at least, so this is of critical importance.
The bishop used polite, but strong, language to remind us of our obligation to avoid, as much as possible, those situations, especially social gatherings, where we might be more likely exposed, so that we can continue to serve our people sacramentally. Under obedience, we have to protect our health actively, so that the sacraments and other ministry, even in the restricted form this pandemic requires, continue.
This being said, please pray for Bishop Duca and the priests of the diocese. We are all just as tired and frustrated at the present restrictions and isolations as anyone else. While we are getting vaccinated as fast as we can, this is a slow and sometimes-chaotic challenge. Please understand that while we wish we could visit and serve you “in person” more, at the present time this is just not the best thing.
But we CAN gather “virtually”!! I hope you’ll be “logging on” to our new “Cathedral Chat” this coming Tuesday evening at 6:15 pm. As I mentioned last week, it’ll be a twice-a-month “online get-together” of parishioners, using the Zoom app. All you need is a computer or smartphone with Zoom installed. The first one is important: we have to make sure the day and time are good, and sketch out future topics and speakers.
We’ll share the Zoom “link” by email on the afternoon of each session, so make sure we know what your email address is! (If you get The Carpenter by email you’re already on our list!) And don’t worry: we do not and will not share your email info with anyone! Our “Chats” should be enjoyable and informative sessions!
In the Lord who calls us to be His disciples,
Fr. Paul Counce
