“Be Not Afraid!” These powerful and reassuring words are the most repeated phrase in Scripture and are found in Genesis and go all the way through Revelation. Why does the Lord say this phrase over and over? It is because, as a loving Father, He wants us to know that He will be with us through everything.
It would be an understatement to say that we are living in unprecedented times for the modern world. The Coronavirus is a serious medical situation, but fear and panic are the real enemy right now. As we move through these uncharted waters, I want you to know that I am praying for you, for your family and for the Church.
For the safety of people and to help curb the spread of the virus, Bishop Kihneman has dispensed the faithful from the obligation to attend Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days for thirty days beginning on March 18th. This decree does not dispense us from “Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy.” We should, as Catholics turn to the Lord always, but even more during these difficult times. In this time of crisis, I implore you seek the Lord by entering the Scripture, and through fervent prayer, especially the rosary and Liturgy of the Hours. As the Church suffers through this time of trial please be reminded of what the Lord says about worrying in the Gospel of Matthew. ... “
Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?” MT 6:25. As your pastor I ask that we put our efforts and thoughts into faith and not worry. I invite you to view the current situation in our lives and in our communities not through the lens of what we are being denied in the world during this crisis but rather, as an opportunity to come together as the family of God, in spirit and in prayer, to re-establish that our faith is in Him and not in the world.
We, as Mississippians and as Catholics, have a strong history of coming together and supporting each other during times of crisis. I have no doubt in our ability to overcome this one as well.
Be assured of my prayers for you in the private Masses that I offer. I look forward to the day when we can gather at the altar for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as One Body once again.
Sincerely in Christ.
Rev. Bernard J. Papania,
Pastor