NO MASS THIS WEEKEND ONCE AGAIN!!!–Physical, that is! –this is a time to be “church” in other ways!  This time of social distancing is perhaps teaching you, as it is me, how we might be “church” in other ways–how we might, in fact, receive “eucharist” in other ways.  And of course; I am speaking beyond the “physical” bread.  Because we can’t be together, does that preclude being community to each other?  I don’t think so…

Dear Friends,

We are challenged as those on their way to Emmaus in this week’s Gospel, to find Jesus where we wouldn’t necessarily look!  Let us be “church” in new and creative ways during these days of social-distancing.

If there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to call or email: 507-429-3616 or aaorcc2008@gmail.com.

Peace and love–stay safe and well–

Pastor Kathy

Readings: 

• Acts 2: 14, 22-28
• 1 Peter 1: 17-21
• Luke 24: 13-35

NO MASS THIS SATURDAY–APRIL 18, 2020 due to the need for social distancing during this time of pandemic!!!  If we could meet for Mass this week, it would be on Saturday–let us meet in spirit, sharing our goodness, our love for each other and  for the God who made us all. 

Dear Friends,

Once again, we won’t be meeting, but our hearts are joined in this Easter–alleluia time!  Do reach out in the ways that you can, to those in need.  Our board has voted to give $300 to Habitat for Humanity here in Winona because due to the pandemic,  The ReStore  has had to close as well as Habitat’s major fundraiser has had to be cancelled.  In order to keep them afloat, some local friends have given a $40,000 matching grant and local churches have been asked to help them make the additional $40,000.

Stay safe and well, my friends–peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

Readings: 

• Acts 2: 42-47
• 1 Peter 1: 3-9
• John 20: 19-31

Dear Friends,

NO MASS AGAIN THIS SUNDAY!!! –Watch for future announcements concerning next week and beyond!

We continue in this time of a “new normal,” discerning each day, what that in fact, means, as many of us struggle to find the ways to reach out to others when we are being instructed to stay home.

This time calls for great reserves of strength, of faith–that is, believing in what we can’t always see, prayer–a lifting up of our hearts and minds to the God we recognize.  Let us continue to be a community, my friends, in new ways.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

Readings: 

• Ezekiel 37: 12-14
• Romans 8: 8-11
• John 11: 1-45

NO MASS THIS WEEKEND–SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020

Dear Friends,

We are in a very fluid time as our country is under a pandemic with the coronavirus which causes Covid 19.  Our board and I agreed that we suspend Sunday, and/or Saturday services for two weeks and assess after that.  In other words, after March 29, 2020 we will reassess.

So far, we have no positive cases of  Covid 19 in Winona County, but it could just be that it hasn’t arrived here yet, as there are 60 positive cases in Minnesota.

So, my dear friends, please practice social-distancing  and very good hand-washing techniques.

I am including the weekend readings (this would have been our Saturday Mass for the month) and I will include the homily when it is finished–all for your reflection.  We could have a dialog over email if anyone wishes to do that!

Blessings on all–stay safe and well and please let me know if you have need of anything that I can pick up for you or drop off.

Peace and love,

Pastor Kathy

Readings: 

• 1 Samuel 16: 1, 6-7, 10-13
• Ephesians 5: 8-14
• John 9: 1-41

Friends, I would like to end today with something to uplift us and assist us in continuing to hope and to care–it came to me from another group that I am affiliated with:

“Lockdown

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing.

Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM

Amen?  Amen!

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