...that a number of our “annual events” have had to be cancelled?

Because of the restrictions placed on number of people who can attend events, and the uncertainty of safety factors around the Covid-19 pandemic, we have had to cancel this year’s Ministry Fair and Parish Picnic, which would have taken place this month. We have also cancelled the annual ‘Father of Lights Festival’ in Len Roberts Park on 31 October, as well as the annual “Community Hymn Festival” which was scheduled for October.

And, very sadly, the 46th Annual Ladies of St. Andrew’s Bazaar, scheduled for 7 November, has also had to be cancelled for this year! 

What this means is a substantial loss of revenue for the Ladies of St. Andrew’s, who support so many local charities and Parish activities. The other events are major supports of community and ‘connections’ – and all of them contribute to the “fund of community spirit,’ which is extremely vital.

In the midst of the ‘social distancing,’ which in all too many instances has become social isolation, there is something at work that has not been adequately realized – the need that people have for a community to live in and live with. The need is great, and there is something in our hearts which troubles us, that we have lost what was once so beautifully called “the commonweal.”

If this open wound is to heal, it will have to heal  like all wounds, from the bottom, and we shall have to begin at the beginning – with the family and its obligations, with the Church and its responsibilities, and with our neglected duty to the earth – ‘our common homes’.

We all need to become much more creative and generous in building “the commonweal” – the community and our connectiveness. We cannot rely on others to build up and strengthen our family ties, our Parish life, and the wider community. Each one of us needs to be committed to being one who ‘builds up’ the good for each other, and ‘bridges’ the divides which threaten our mutual respect and concern.

An unofficial ‘motto’ of our Parish for some years has been, “We may not have it all together; but together we have it all!” As we become much more aware of, and committed to, building community – we will discover that, with the Lord, we truly have it all!

We are so grateful for your incredible generosity in supporting our Parish, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the Church!

Our “Building our Church Fund,” was established to allow us to address unbudgeted repairs/upgrades on our two-campus Parish, as well as providing special assistance to the world-wide Church, through our mission contacts. This Fund has been very important in the past, and has proven so again, as the 25-year-old A/C unit for the Rectory has reached the end of its service! Because of your generosity to the “Building Our Church Fund” we will be able to address this need! Thank you!!!

By Diocesan directive, Holy Communion must be distributed following Mass, outdoors, not only for those who are attending Mass via ‘livestreaming’ at home, but also for those present in church for Mass.

A “Communion Station” has been set up outdoors, under the portico – near the kiosk – between the church and Kino Hall.

Those wishing to receive Holy Communion are to go that “Communion Station” to receive, observing the 6’ minimum for ‘social distancing’.

In order to receive Holy Communion, under the normal conditions, one must participate in the Mass – either in person or via ‘livestreaming’.

The “Communion Station” will be available for ½ hour after the 9:00 AM ‘livestreamed’ Masses conclude – Monday through Saturday,  – and on Sundays, after the 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon ‘livestreamed’ Masses conclude.

In brief: Holy Communion outdoors at the “Communion Station” on weekdays, from (approximately) 9:40-10:00 AM, and Sundays from (approximately) 11:00-11:30 AM and 1:00-1:30 PM.

Masks are mandatory in the church AND at the “Communion Station”.

You are asked to remain masked until after the Blessed Sacrament in placed in your hands, then, stepping to one side, remove your mask to consume the Sacred Host, replacing your mask after you have done so.

Please exercise patience with this new (and, hopefully, temporary) procedure, and, of course, exercise reverence and silence, appropriate to receiving the Gift of Holy Communion!

Ethical behavior is doing the right thing when no one else is watching – even when doing the wrong thing is legal.”

                                                                                                                          - Aldo Leopold  (1887-1948)

This week’s  Question: “Who is ‘Our Lady of La Vang’- whose statue is in our Divine Mercy Chapel?”

The answer to last week’s Question: “What is the ‘Nave’ of a church?” It is a church’s central and primary architectural feature, the ‘body of the church’ extending from the entrance to the sanctuary.

The word nave comes from the Latin: navis: meaning ‘ship’, so called because of its resemblance to ships of the era. Because we are called by the Lord to be “fishers of men [and women]”, the symbolism of the church building as a fishing boat is important. Some of the early Church Fathers also likened the church building to Noah’s Ark, floating above the corruption and darkness of this world!

(If you would like to be as well-informed as the “Quiz Master” – pick up a copy of the Catholic Source Book, available in the Parish Office, for only $20!)

This link will allow you to attend worldwide streaming Masses: