My dear friends,
The mighty wind of the Holy Spirit always brings change. On the morning of Pentecost, the lives of the disciples were changed forever when they went from the familiar confines of the Upper Room to boldly preaching the Risen Christ to the multitudes in Jerusalem. The Holy Spirit changes simple bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. He heals the wounded, brings pardon to the sinner, warms the frozen heart, refreshes a tired soul, and comforts the afflicted. All welcomed changes.
Last week in this space, I wrote about the change we will be experiencing as a parish starting tomorrow: our move for the summer to worship and celebrate Mass and the sacraments in Comber Hall. As Father David and I announced last week, we will be “cozier” in the small space that used to be our church a century ago. All of us are used to sitting in our favorite pew, in a specific part of the church. Yet, the Spirit is prompting us to get out of our comfort zones even if for a few months so that we can do some necessary upkeep of our church.
Children needing baptism will be baptized in a temporary font. Confessions on Saturdays will be on the second floor of the hall with priests spread out for privacy. Funerals will still be celebrated for our faithful departed. And believe it or not, even a wedding is scheduled to be celebrated in July in our temporary worship space. Worship aids, songs, and the readings of the day will be printed in this bulletin.
What I ask all of you to pray for during this time of transition is patience, a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Much planning has been done to make the move next door as smooth as possible, but the first week or two will indeed be bumpy because all the planning in the world cannot prepare us for a full Sunday Mass crowd and the logistics of a new space. Pray for the virus of adaptability. The most important thing we do as a parish will still be there: the Divine Sacrifice of the Mass.
During this past week, some dedicated parishioners have started decorating our temporary worship space with great love and care. While nothing can replicate the splendor of our church and sanctuary, we pray you will find a warm, welcoming, and prayerful environment when you come in next week. For our daily Mass goers, you will slowly see our saints and devotional candles making their way over during the next few days. Little touches of the church to make us feel at home.
As for the work in the church, first thing Monday morning, the work of removing our old pews begins followed by the reinforcement of the balcony, then the restoration of the reredos and finally the painting of the interior and the installation of the new pews. It is a bold endeavor, and we now look forward to our return to a rejuvenated church this fall. The Holy Spirit indeed always brings change. May we be able to embrace it.
One final note about change. This Sunday is the last Mass for our 5:30pm young adult choir, “The Call.” For the past five years, they have lifted up our spirits with their praise and worship songs and moving post-communion mediations. But as it is with our young people, moves are made, the young get married and start families of their own, and the Spirit calls us elsewhere. They have served the Church of the Little Flower well and have blessed us with the gift of song. Thankfully, other young adults from our parish and alumni of our school have stepped up and committed to continue the legacy of The Call by forming a new young adult choir that we hope will start singing when school begins. So, one final thank you to The Call for your unwavering commitment to your ministry and your joyful spirit. May the Spirit always guide you and strengthen you and always know there is an open mic ready for any of you when you want to lead us in song.
God bless you all,
