Dear Parishioners,
             
I hope you are all healthy and keeping your spirits up!  These are days of waiting...waiting for businesses to open, waiting for our favorite restaurants, waiting to hear good news about the future. 

I think the fear of the unknown is the worst kind of fear.  Even though our future is uncertain, the good news is that God is with us through this tough time.  The COVID virus has caused us to appreciate things that we may have taken for granted.  I have seen more people walking, cycling, and jogging in Homer than ever before!  A visit with a friend on the phone or on Zoom, an email from a loved one, prayers from family members...all of these are very valuable gifts and blessings. 

While we are separated from each other in terms of church, we are together in prayer.  There may be a possibility that our governor will allow churches to reopen on the last weekend in June.  That is when he hopes to implement "Phase Four" of his plan to reopen the state.  Coming back to church will be different-face masks, social distancing, no coffee hour or large gatherings after Mass, no hymnbooks can be used, those coming up for the Eucharist will have to be six feet apart; bulletins will only be available online. These are just some of the new procedures that we will have to follow when we reopen.

I would like to offer something that might help us in the transition to reopening. On Saturday, June 15 at 4 p.m. and on Sunday, June 16th at 11:30 a.m., I invite you to come to our parking lot and receive a blessing.  You will stay in your car, and I will offer a short prayer and blessing for you and your family.  I will be wearing a mask.  If it rains, I'll have an umbrella!  At least it will get you physically back to our church and certainly we can all use a blessing!  So come on over on Saturday, June 15th or Sunday, June 16th.  It will be great to see you!

In other parish news, we have hired a Pastoral Associate who will be taking Christine Williams' position of Faith Formation Director.  Dan and his wife Patti live in Brewerton.  Dan will be ordained as a  permanent deacon in our Diocese in August.  He comes to us with many talents. A graduate of Oswego State with a degree in psychology, he has worked as a youth activities coordinator for 22 years at Oswego County Youth Bureau. He is a professional freelance cartoonist and does children's religious cartoons.  He also plays the guitar and sings!  He has been very involved in his parish in Brewerton, coordinating and developing Faith Formation programs for grades 1-10.  He also coordinated the parish adult catechesis program and various parish service ministries.  He and his wife have four grown sons.  His wife Patti serves their parish as a grief counselor and plans funerals with families who have lost a loved one. Most importantly, Dan has been in the deacon formation program in our Diocese for the past six years, studying theology and receiving pastoral training and supervision. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our staff.  He will be joining us on July 1.  More information in future bulletins!

Again, many thanks to all of you who continue to support our church with your prayers and financial offerings.