Saint Mary 

March 25, 2020
 
Dear Parishioners,
     I write this letter to you on the day of our parish feast, The Annunciation.  May the Blessed Mother watch over us during these difficult times. 
     It is also midway in the holy season of Lent, a season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, a time of preparation for Holy Week when we meditate on the suffering, death and resurrection of Christ.  We never imagined on Ash Wednesday that this Lent would be like no other.  We never would have believed that the entire world would be engulfed by a new, potentially life-threatening pandemic. 
     As we face the challenges of this pandemic, we lean more on our faith, trusting in our Lord Jesus to be our protection and guide. While we are separated by quarantines and social distancing, we are still united in Christ and never alone.  We grieve our inability to come together and worship our God as a faith community. I want you to know that we are spiritually together as I celebrate Mass privately for all of you and your intentions.
     I encourage you to watch and pray with the televised Mass and go to our website for Lenten reflection.  You can still receive “spiritual Communion” as you view the Mass.  The following is a brief prayer you can say as the priest elevates the Host.
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now 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.
     I am very grateful to those who have responded to this crisis by mailing or dropping an envelope at the rectory.  Our parish expenses continue despite the pandemic, and our income has come almost to a halt.  I also want to thank those who currently give online for your recurring donations as right now it is our primary source of income.  As of this morning, six new families have enrolled in online giving since the suspension of Mass.  I encourage you to consider this safe and secure method of donating to Saint Mary’s. 
     The anticipated length of this quarantine remains uncertain, and we may not be able to gather before Holy Week.  Please continue to check our website for information and ways we can pray together while apart. (stmarysmelrose.org)
You are all in my prayers as we move through this time of isolation and concern.  Let us remember to trust in God and, as Saint Paul tells us,
     “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.  Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 4:6-7

Blessings to you and your families. 
Fr Shawn

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
CATHOLIC TV ONLY
CatholicTV.org

Holy Thursday, April 9

Mass of the Lord’s Supper 

CatholicTV broadcast LIVE at 7:30pm 

Good Friday, April 10

Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion

CatholicTV to broadcast LIVE at 3:00pm, rebroadcast 9:30pm 

Holy Saturday, April 11

Solemn Vigil of Easter

CatholicTV to broadcast LIVE at 7:30pm

Easter Sunday, April 12, 8:00am

Mass of Easter Sunday

WLVI-TV to broadcast at 8:00-9:00am
CatholicTV to broadcast at 11:00am, 7:00pm 11:30pm
 

Ways to Watch the CatholicTV Network:

Cable: Comcast Ch 268, Verizon Ch 296, RCN Ch 85

Livestream: CatholicTVLIVE.com 

Daily Masses: WatchtheMass.com  

For more information on CatholicTV Holy Week programming visit: CatholicTV.org/HolyWeek 

For information on the Cathedral of the Holy Cross Holy Week visit: HolyCrossBoston.com 

CATHOLICS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE BY TUNING INTO CATHOLICTV.