Responding to the Hunger With our churches temporarily closed, I have been moved by the number of people that I see in front of the doors of our churches remaining “connected” to the Lord. Each day, there are those who drive -up to the churches and either remain in their car, pray in the parking lot, set-up lawn chairs, walk around the buildings, and even a cyclist who paused outside of Saint Alphonsus. What witness to a love for Jesus and a hunger for the Eucharist.
In sharing these stories with our Maintenance Supervisor, he suggested we set-up a small Eucharistic shrine behind the clear glass windows in rear (near the old bell tower) of Father Rodgers Hall – the former church building at Saint Alexis. And so, we did. It’s now available for you to visit and pray before Jesus in his Eucharistic presence.
We ask that you remain observant of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s mandate to maintain social distancing (6 feet between one another). With the tabernacle in such a close and visible proximity, you may remain in the comfort of your car, rain or shine, day or night close to Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharistic! Remain connected. Feed the hunger. This time of fasting will end and know that Jesus always remains with us. (Thanks Carl)
The Why Behind the Where In these days when we find ourselves connecting in worship through live streaming, questions have been asked of me about the where – why are live streaming at one location or the other. There’s an easy answer: initially, the Masses were celebrated at Saint Alexis because Saint Alexis Church is wired for Wi-Fi.
Father Will and I discussed the two locations and concluded that Saint Alphonsus, with its smaller sanctuary and our temporary need to live stream, would serve us best. Since then, Wi-Fi has been installed at Saint Alphonsus so that now we can live stream from there as well. We will continue to live stream from Saint Alphonsus because when using one site, we do not have to move equipment back and forth and restage each week.
But the real issue should never be the “where,” but the WHO – Jesus. Friends, don’t get lost in the weeds. Take the high ground and keep your focus on the presence of Jesus who remains faithful and with his Church in the Holy Eucharist. The same can be said for having a tabernacle visible for private devotion at Saint Alexis. With the clear windows in the rear of Father Rodgers Hall (the former church building), it just works better. Besides, we are not two, but one community, soon to become one new parish and celebrate our communion as the mystical body of Christ. Amen!
For the Taking Even though you may have only had a limited view of the flowers in our church’s (via live streaming) this Easter, flowers were used to adorn the sanctuaries. After all, all glory and honor and thanksgiving are always directed to God, and His Son whose resurrection we celebrate. Special thanks to the generous and faith-filled parishioners who once again, made this possible. Now, the time has come to gradually remove these renewable plants and make them available to anyone who is interested in planting them around their home.
As plants are taken out of our two churches, they will be placed outside the Altar Servers sacristy at Saint Alphonsus. If you are not familiar where this is located, it’s the door halfway down the side of Saint Alphonsus church on the side of the cemetery. It’s easy to find. As you drive up the main entrance to the property, take the road that is immediately to the right of the church. It will take you to the location. There are about 8 outdoor steps leading to a door. The flowers, if available, will be placed at the bottom of these steps. Once again, not all the flowers will be removed from the two churches at one time. So, if you are interested, check-back weekly. We will let you know when all the flowers have been removed.
There are Easter Lily, Tulip, and Hyacinth bulbs as well as Azalea and Hydrangea plants. There is no guarantee that they will return next year (particularly the Azaleas), but in the past, many people have told us of the great success they experienced with them. Give it a try! Consult a gardener, a garden resource book, or just Google when and how to plant these Spring and Summer beauties. There’s nothing to lose since they’re free for the taking. Good luck and again, thank you!