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Coronavirus Update
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SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL UPDATES. THE MOST RECENT UPDATE IS ON TOP.
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UPDATE FROM FATHER NATHAN-MARCH 24, 2020
Dear Friends:
We are only days away from what the Church terms “Passiontide,” which is the final two weeks of the Lenten Season. There is an old custom, and the provision for this still remains in the current Roman Missal, that as the Church enters Passiontide, the crucifixes and images of the Saints in our churches may be covered over until Easter. This is to call to mind the reality that the later days of the Lenten season are a fasting of the eyes and the senses from the visible presence of Christ in our midst. It is a means to enter more deeply into the suffering of the Lord that we call to mind these days in a focused manner.
I would invite us to consider that these most recent set of restrictions to our movement, and therefore to our worship, should be considered through the spiritual lens of an extended Passiontide. We are fasting now in ways that none of us have ever been invited to fast before. As such, it is an opportunity of deep union with the Lord Jesus whose body was stripped on the cross, as his Mystical Body of the Church is now stripped of her altars and sacraments almost entirely. This is an invitation from the Lord to each of us to willingly accept his Passion with him and share in its redemptive power.
In humility and in obedience to the overall needs of public safety, especially the members of our community that are the most vulnerable right now, we will all undertake this sacrifice, and this extended Passiontide willingly.
Until the return to the sacraments comes for which we all deeply hunger, for right now we may still continue to join together in prayer. And, we will do whatever we can to utilize the realm of technology to continue our communication and connections as a parish family, knowing it is only a substitute, but that it still brings its blessings and graces. Let’s continue to stay together in prayer in any way that we can.
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:
THE PARISH OFFICES ARE CLOSED.
THE CHURCHES ARE OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER ONLY
SAINT FRANCES CABRINI: 7AM-7PM DAILY
SAINT MARY'S: 6AM-3PM DAILY
NO MASSES.
CONFESSIONS WILL BE HEARD FROM 5PM-6PM ON TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS, AND THURSDAYS AT SAINT FRANCES CABRINI.
ALL OTHER EVENTS ARE CANCELED.*Please note that both parish campuses are totally locked down and closed. All campus activity is ceased with the exception of private, individual prayer obeying the State of WI rules of required social distancing.
A SPECIAL NOTE FROM FATHER NATHAN...
Due to the substantial loss of revenue at both parishes right now, as well as the strong limitations on public activities, many of our parish office staff members have had their hours and compensation substantially reduced.
As their pastor I am so grateful for all of our staff and for the sacrifices that many are making at this time to go without until we are through these challenges.
These same compensation sacrifices are also freely being made by Father Andrew and myself for the good of our parishes long-term financial health.
We are blessed to do this for our people. -
UPDATE FROM ARCHBISHOP LISTECKI-MARCH 24, 2020
SEVERAL UPDATES FROM ARCHBISHOP LISTECKI - April 1, was designated as a day for 12 hours of the Sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the archdiocese. This will be postponed.
- Holy Week and the Triduum are the most solemn time of our liturgical year. Public celebrations for Holy Week, Holy Thursday and Good Friday are canceled in all of our parishes. I will celebrate both days from the Cathedral and those services will be live-streamed.
- The baptisms of the Elect and the receptions into full communion across the archdiocese are postponed until a later diocesan-wide, common date.
- The suspension of public celebrations of the Eucharist continues for Easter Sunday. I will celebrate Easter Mass at the Cathedral and that Mass will either be live-streamed or broadcast over network television. Bishop Schuerman will also offer the Easter Mass from the Cathedral, in Spanish, and I will also be present for that. More information about these celebrations will be forthcoming.
- Confirmations and First Communions are now postponed until the health crisis has passed. At that time, instructions will be provided for scheduling.
- We know many of your parishioners are suffering financial hardship. As a sign of solidarity with all whose finances are uncertain, the priests’ salaries will be frozen for 2020-2021, which is different than what was previously announced. Some priests have further determined that, given the financial uncertainty of parish staff, they will actually reduce their own salary as an act of generosity and sacrifice. They will do this until the crisis is over. I will also follow their example.
- The Love One Another Capital Campaign is being suspended. I hate to do so with such good initial response and momentum from the pilot parishes, but there is too much uncertainty at this time.
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Sunday, March 15-Options if you cannot make it to Mass
+Catholic Sunday Mass for the Homebound in Milwaukee
5:30am on WITI Fox & at 9am on WCGV My24.
+ You can also watch Mass on EWTN’s live feed here. It looks like they have Mass at 8 am EST and 12 pm EST on Sunday. Daily Mass throughout the rest of the week is at the same time. Here’s their schedule.
+ You can also make an act of Spiritual Communion by saying a prayer like this one: “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”
+ You can find a live broadcast of perpetual Adoration here.
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