How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 13

March 31 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Good morning! How did you do with the first part of the scavenger hunt?  Part two is too easy… check it out!!  Don’t forget to send your answers directly to Kathy Morgan. Keep the faith during these stressful times as we continue to pray for each other.  Pray for all the health care workers.  It is hard to imagine how this must affect them. Even though there is a certain stress or anxiety we all may experience, which is normal, the weather has been beautiful!!!  Go outside if you can and walk!  You will feel better. I would like to offer you this podcast.  It is very good and will be helpful in dealing with this situation.  It is entitled, “Finding peace in the midst of a pandemic.” https://cac.org/podcasts/bonus-finding-presence-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic/ I wish you peace and every good! Fr. Leo You may be wondering how can you get your offertory to the church.  Here’s how: Mail it in. Simply seal your offertory envelope and place a stamp on it. It is already addressed to the church. Stop by the church office. The church office is open with limited hours, Monday through Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm. Donate online at https://www.orlandodiocese.org/landing/. Click on the yellow “Donations to your parish” button in the lower right-hand portion of the screen and follow the prompts. Scavenger Hunt continued…. Part 1 Answers are attached. How’s it going so far? I hope you are having fun with this activity. Part 2 Visit the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, take a screenshot of Isaiah, Jacob, and St. Peter at the Last Judgment (www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/index_sistina_en.htm) View Busted Halo’s Catholic Vacation Destinations on YouTube. Where were Maria and Captain Von Trapp married? Visit the Catacombs of Pricilla in Rome and take a screenshot of a fresco of a woman.  https://www.google.com/maps?ll=41.929305%2C12.509084&cbp=%2C109.0%2C%2C0%2C-0.0&layer=c&panoid=sfiLnF1scbgAAAQJOCH0Sw&spn=0.18000000000000152%2C0.30000000000000043&output=classic&cbll=41.929305%2C12.509084 Pope Francis’ favorite painting is “The White Crucifixion” by Marc Chagall. Find this painting and take a screenshot. How many Bishop Cardinals are there in the world? Visit the Vatican Museum online. Take a screenshot of an exhibit of ancient art. Visit the Holy Land and find the Dome of the Ascension http://p4panorama.com/panos/holyland/ (Screenshot) Who was Oscar Romero and where did he die? ******* CLUE #2: At the feet of the Patron Saint of the Americas. Revelation 12:1 ******* PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL. Email your answers to Kathy at kmorgan@standrew-orlando.org and let her know if you have any questions.

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 12

March 30 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Let’s have some fun! The following activity is a scavenger hunt. Thank you, Kathy Morgan, our Youth Minister. Take some time today to complete this activity. If you live with your family, do it together, perhaps dividing the parts. It will be a great way to learn about your parish and your faith. Whoever has the most correct answers wins! Always, may God’s peace be yours, Fr. Leo Scavenger Hunt There are four parts to this challenge. Each day for the next four days, you will receive another leg of the scavenger hunt and the answers to the previous part you completed.  You will also be given a clue each day for one Final Question, which will be emailed on the fourth day.  On Friday, you will receive the answer to the Final Question. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.  Email your answers to Kathy at kmorgan@standrew-orlando.org and let her know if you have any questions.  This scavenger hunt can be played at your leisure and you may use all forms of technology. That includes calling or emailing others who might know the answers. This is a scavenger hunt with great meaning. The egg is a symbol of new life, and the activity of searching for hidden eggs at Easter reminds us that new life in Christ is offered to everyone, but we must do our part to seek after Christ. We are going to have some fun with this different kind of scavenger hunt! Rather than looking for eggs, we will be searching for connections to our faith online. Part 1 Visit your parish website and answer the following questions: Who is the Pastoral Associate for your parish? How many staff members are listed on the website? Take a screenshot of the online version of the bulletin. Take a selfie of yourself and share with your family. Find an article in the local newspaper that mentions your parish. (Screenshot or copy) Who was the first priest to serve in your parish? List in order the pastors who have served at St. Andrew List in order the principals who have served at St. Andrew School. In what year was our parish established What is the name of the religious order/congregation that first worked at St. Andrew Church? How many Catholics are there in the United States? How many Catholic churches are there in the United States? ******* CLUE #1: Psalm 81:3 *******

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 11

Sunday, March 29, 2020 – The Fifth Sunday of Lent  Mass Intentions: Jerome (JJ) T. Wytrawl, Daniel Ryan, Thomas Scaria, Regine Romulus, Virginia Maio This is the fifth Sunday of Lent and the second Sunday the church has been closed!  This has been difficult for me and I believe for all of us.  The pandemic continues to cause havoc throughout the world, continues to take people’s lives and often robs us of our own sense of peace. The news can be overwhelming and dreadful images on TV can cause great fear and anxiety.  This is a very difficult time. What are we supposed to do?  We self-quarantine.  We work remotely.  We stay in our homes.  We run in and out of the grocery store as quickly as we can and try not to watch too much of the news, just enough to know what is happening.  It feels so helpless.  Nonproductive, weary already, with days, if not weeks, to go.  Weary of this space and time, maybe even depressed and anxious.  There’s so much in our heads and in our hearts.  How are we supposed to think about this pandemic? Have the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ.  It is the way to maneuver through this pandemic.  It is the only way to lament the reality of all those who have died and still be faithful to the gospel of life.  The mind of Christ is the only mind that can hold together life and death, lament and hope, sickness and recovery. It is not a binary mind; it does not need to split into either/or thinking.  The normal rational mind is necessary to function in life, to work, but the normal rational mind can’t hold opposites together. The mind of Christ can. And today’s gospel shows us. “Lord, if you had been here my brother never would have died”.  That is the beginning of her lament as Martha runs towards the Lord in disbelief, anxious, and heavy with grief, because of the death of Lazarus her brother.  Is that not the same question so many people have asked during this pandemic?  Maybe not publicly, but certainly in our hearts. Italy is the most Catholic country in the world, with thousands of people sick and dying from this virus.  Imagine the number of times the Italians, the priests and nuns, and other church leaders, in their pain and frustration have asked that question, “Where are you Lord?” We are different here in these United States.  Like Martha, crying out before the Lord in her suffering and disbelief, our cry is similar… How could this happen here?  No vaccine, no cure, not enough masks, not enough ventilators, not enough beds, where is the Lord?  Lord, where are you?  Are you with us? Most of us have cried out before, either individually or within our own families.  Maybe not publicly, but have we not asked the question in our own disbelief and frustration:  Where were you Lord when my spouse left, […]

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 10

March 28 Dear St Andrew Community, It is with great disappointment that I must inform you about the following regarding Holy Week and Easter. Please be attentive to the Bishop’s letter that he sent to the priests of the diocese. My Brothers in Christ: Peace be with you.  In consultation with the bishops of Florida, our priests and others, I encourage you and your parishioners to join me via livestream during Holy Week for our liturgical celebrations:  the Chrism Mass, the Sacred Paschal Triduum – Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Passion of the Lord, and the Easter Vigil. Easter Sunday Mass will be broadcast from St. James Cathedral at 12:30 p.m. throughout the Diocese on WFTV-Channel 9.  Invite your parishioners to participate in Holy Week through these streamed opportunities.  Provide them with spiritual resources and guidance so they are able to participate as best as possible, even though remotely. Social distancing is a sacrifice, especially when we consider reception of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  No distance is greater than the closeness God gave us through His Son who died for us that we might have the greatest distance, everlasting life. Pray with me.  You are ever present in my heart. Holy Week Directives: Palm Sunday Live-streaming of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion is allowed. Palms may be blessed on Palm Sunday but they are to be distributed at a later date when public liturgies resume and people are allowed to gather. The Passion on Palm Sunday can be read by a deacon or priest alone. Triduum Liturgies Triduum liturgies will be broadcast throughout the diocese from St. James Cathedral. (web links will be forthcoming for you to share with your parishioners.) Chrism Mass, Wednesday, April 8, 6:30 p.m. Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Thursday, April 9, 7:00 p.m. Passion of Our Lord, Friday, April 10, 3:00 p.m. At the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter, April 11, 8:00 p.m. Resurrection of the Lord, The Mass of Easter Day, April 12, 12:30 p.m. aired on WFTV Ch. 9 (priests are able to livestream from parishes as you also deem appropriate) Sincerely yours in Christ Most Reverend John Noonan Bishop of Orlando Join us in our celebration of the Eucharist for Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/St-Andrew-Catholic-Community-494812197673244/.  I will let you know in the coming week what time Palm Sunday Mass will be available for viewing. Always, may God’s peace be yours, Fr. Leo Thank you to all those who have mailed your offertory to the church or used the diocese’s online link to make a donation. Your offertory is greatly appreciated! Mailing your offertory is easy, simply seal your offertory envelope and place a stamp on it. It is already addressed to the church. To donate online, please go to this link https://www.orlandodiocese.org/landing/ and click on the yellow button labeled “Donations to your Parish”. Then follow the prompts to make your donation. Thank you!

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 9

March 27 Brothers and Sisters in Christ,  She never mentions God, but Allyson Felix writes about “Hope.” One cannot have Hope or write about Hope without having a belief in a Higher Power who is benevolent. We as Christians call that Higher Power, “Jesus” who is the hope for the world. The article below is well worth reading and so I give it to you on this Friday the ninth day. I would also encourage you to listen to the song, “Jesus Hope for the World.” This morning I am feeling alone, afraid and unsure. I, along with the rest of the world, learned that the Tokyo Olympic Games will be postponed until 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I don’t know how that makes you feel – maybe the Games are a form of entertainment to you, maybe they give you that warm feeling that reminds you our world can come together around something good. Or maybe you’re a fellow Olympian and this news feels like a crushing blow. I’ve woken up every morning for the last 6,055 days, since I was 17 years old, relentlessly pursuing Olympic Gold. At a time like this, it is hard not to focus on the loss, to not think about what could have been. That is something that can be hard about having audacious dreams. Sometimes, you believe so strongly in that dream that you begin to think that you have already earned it, that it is already yours. Until it is taken away from you. This has been a sobering reminder that we are not owed our dreams, those dreams do not come free and you do not accomplish them alone. The last two years in my career have been the hardest, by far. They’ve required much sacrifice. My young family and I moved from Michigan to California for training. My husband gave up his job to be able to support my Olympic dream. My coach, Bob Kersee, has committed to commuting over two hours each day so that we can train closer to my home and 1-year-old daughter. I have so much help in the form of my team of trainers, doctors, agents and managers who all pour themselves into my dream. The sacrifices are real and I think that’s where a lot of the disappointment comes from You might be sitting there reading this; alone, afraid and unsure because you’ve spent your entire adult life showing up to work every day and in the blink of an eye all that you’ve been dreaming about, all that you’ve “earned” is seemingly taken away with six words, “We have to let you go.” You might be a business owner who against all of the odds had a unique idea and took the risk and bought that food truck – chasing those audacious dreams – and now you’re sitting alone, afraid and unsure about how your business will stay open. You might be celebrating welcoming a beautiful new life into this world, […]

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 8

March 26 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, From time to time, a staff member will provide an article or reflection. Today Kathy Morgan has provided an article/activity that might be helpful during this time. Be the Difference for Loved Ones during Covid-19 Isolation from friends and family, job loss and death are challenges we’re all facing during these days of COVID-19. You are not alone. COVID-19 is affecting families across the world. We encourage you to stay connected with your loved ones while practicing physical distancing. It’s important that you support one other during this difficult time, especially if your loved one may be facing a mental health concern. Use tips from the (Mental Health First Aid) MHFA curriculum to reach out to someone who might need you. Treat the person with respect and dignity. Listen nonjudgmentally, and respect the person’s privacy and confidentiality. Offer consistent emotional support and understanding. In difficult times, we all need additional love and understanding. Remember to be empathetic, compassionate and patient. Have realistic expectations. Accept the person as they are. Tough times can make it harder than usual to do everyday activities like cleaning the house, paying bills or feeding the dog. Give the person hope Remind your loved one that with time and treatment, they will feel better and there is hope for a more positive future. Provide practical help. Offer help with overwhelming tasks, but be careful not to take over or encourage dependency. For example, offer to bring groceries over. Offer information. Provide information and resources for additional support, including self-help strategies and professional help. Several tips for what not to do are: Don’t tell someone to “snap out of it” or to “get over it.” Don’t adopt an overinvolved or overprotective attitude toward someone who is depressed. Don’t use a patronizing tone of voice or a facial expression that shows an extreme look of concern. Don’t ignore, disagree with or dismiss the person’s feelings by attempting to say something positive like, “You don’t seem that bad to me.” If you’re still not sure what to do, reach out to your primary care physician. This person can help you with determining the best next steps for mental health support strategies, resources or treatments. Thank you for choosing to #BeTheDifference for yourself and your loved ones during this difficult time. Thank you to Kathy for sharing this important information. Always, may God’s peace be yours, Fr. Leo Thank you to all those who have mailed your offertory to the church or used the diocese’s online link to make a donation. Your offertory is greatly appreciated! Mailing your offertory is easy, simply seal your offertory envelope and place a stamp on it. It is already addressed to the church. To donate online, please go to this link https://www.orlandodiocese.org/landing/ and click on the yellow button labeled “Donations to your Parish”. Then follow the prompts to make your donation. Thank you!

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 7

March 25 Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Regarding songs that might be helpful during this time of uncertainty, one of the teachers at our school wrote… “Stronger” by Mandisa is another inspirational song…”. Beautiful song, check it out. I mentioned in one of the earlier emails about trying to maintain some prayer routine or prayer ritual during these unfamiliar days. One big help in doing so is by creating a prayer space or corner in your home. I encourage you to create a prayer space and use it now and on the other side of this uncomfortable situation we are all in together. I know that many of you already have created a sacred space in your home or apartment to pray. Our teachers at St. Andrew Catholic School have for years had a prayer space inside each classroom. Speaking of our teachers, they are about to embark on virtual learning for our St. Andrew students, so please keep them and their students in your prayers since this is new for everyone. I can remember clearly when I was in seminary creating such a space in my room. Each room in the seminary had 10-foot-tall wooden closets that were relatively light weight. I moved mine in such a way that I blocked off a portion of the room which provided a semi-private space which I used as my prayer area. I put a cross on the wall and had various spiritual/prayer books that I placed within reach. This was my sacred space. You can do the same. Make a space for prayer, if you haven’t already, for you or for your family. What a witness that might be to your family. Here is a “How To” list for your prayer space:  Choose a religious focal piece: Decide what religious object or symbol will grab your attention as your walk by, as a reminder to pray: a cross, a crucifix, a statue, a rosary laid on a table, a picture, etc. Pick the right spot: Find a spot in your home, such as a corner nook, big enough for you to be comfortable. A spot by a window is a good idea, or some other secluded spot in the home. Include chairs or a small couch or sit on the floor. If you have a family, try to keep this space special and set apart exclusively for quiet prayer and spiritual reading, if you are able to. Avoid using it for other activities such as checking email or playing games. Gather items to your sacred space: Locate religious books, holy cards, spiritual material, a Bible, images of saints or of God, etc. and place them in your sacred space as a means for prayer and reflection. The more you spend time praying in your new space, the more you will find that it becomes a habit to move into this space when you pray. Always, we prayer for one another, our nation and our world. We are in this together. Know […]

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 6

March 24 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I hope the suggestions for self-care were helpful to you. It has been passed on to me by one of our parishioners that one way to be prayerful during this time is to pray a Hail Mary as you wash your hands for 20 seconds. I tried it and by the time I finished washing my hands for 20 seconds I was finished praying the Hail Mary. Thanks JM. When you find yourself anxious, fearful or depressed about this current situation (which are normal feelings to have), try not to live in that space. After you have acknowledged your feelings, do something positive. During mass we intentionally choose music that will mirror the readings of the day or a situation that our community might be experiencing. One positive way of moving forward in this awkward time is to listen to music that positively influences your feelings. Here is a short list of liturgical songs that you can Google and listen to that might be helpful: Be Not Afraid – Bob Dufford Here I Am – Tom Booth You Are Here – William McDowell Falling on my Knees – William McDowell I Surrender All – various You Know My Name – Tasha Cobb I Will Be with You – Roger Moore And remember that you are not alone. All of us are experiencing this change collectively. Peace Fr. Leo Romans 14:8

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 5

March 23 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our first weekend not in church was odd. I hope you found a mass online that was helpful to you. They are numerous. I said mass at my house and kept you in prayer. Let us continue to pray for one another, especially those who struggle with loneliness, depression and anxiety during this time. Remember all those who are sick and those who care for them. We pray for the scientists, health professionals, public officials, and all who are serving the common good in this difficult and uncertain time. Kathy Morgan, our Youth Minister, found the attached article and passed it on to me. It is a very helpful way to care for yourself during these difficult times. Please make time to read it. Try to take one day at a time and not focus on the future since it is unknown. This is the day the Lord has made. We trust in the Lord for he is good and his mercy endures forever. Always, may God’s peace be yours. Fr. Leo

How We Endured the Pandemic of 2020 Day 4

Sunday, March 22 The Lord be with you. Sunday with no congregation, no church, no music, just really stinks!! But it is real and it is where we are so we have to face it. The good news is that we never face anything by ourselves. God is with us so we need not grieve like the unbeliever. But we do need to grieve, because there is a certain sadness that’s unfolding in our lives. My homily is included below. Please make time to read the Gospel, John 9:1-41 which is also in your Gospel Reflection booklet. In addition to the Gospel Reflection booklet, you have the keychain Praying with the Mass, and so you know how to prayerfully read the gospel and follow along as you would do at mass. On the Diocesan website https://www.orlandodiocese.org/landing/ there’s information about Spiritual Communion so please be attentive to that. Also, because we cannot have a collection I would invite you to use the donation button on that website to make your offertory to the church. I do realize that for many of us who are out of work, making a contribution to the church at this time is difficult. Please make use of Mass on the Internet or on EWTN https://www.ewtn.com/tv or CCTN https://www.cctn.org. Also, a number of you have responded to my emails. I greatly appreciate you taking the time to do so, although it is not expected. If you are having a lot of stress and anxiety that is causing you alarm I will try to respond to your email. Always, may God’s peace by yours, Fr. Leo March 22, 2020 The Fourth Sunday of Lent Mass Intentions: Sinora Dorvil, Tany, Augustin Parador, Thomas Scaria, Semie Descopain, Josefina Rivera, Rosa Elvira Aquino, The Blanco Family, and in Thanksgiving for Frantz Dutes. In every Catholic mass before we receive communion, the priest lifts high the host, the Bread of Life, the Body of Christ, and breaks it. It is a reminder to him and all the faithful that we, the body of Christ, are broken, and the same way that Christ was broken on the cross, the people of God are broken, and all of creation holds a certain brokenness, a fragility that is precious to God. Yes everyone is broken. Whether we talk about it or not. The good news is that today we have a beautiful gospel that reminds us of the preciousness of our brokenness, the holiness of our woundedness, for it is the passageway to transformation. “Was it his sin or his parents’ sin?” This was the question from the disciples to Jesus as they see this blind man. It was a belief during this time, that any type of hardship, disease, brokenness, disability was a result of sin, either yours or your parents. So even though the disciples have been following Jesus for some time now they are still stuck in this death-delivering belief system. But notice how clearly Jesus responds, no parable no metaphor no […]