March 19

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Day 1 of church closure at St. Andrew

Unfortunately, there has been and will be lay-offs for thousands of people; many who may worship here at St. Andrew. This is a hardship and can add to the already stressful situation that we are experiencing. Therefore, it might be helpful to develop a life-giving routine that provides you with focus and structure as we all wait for resolution. We each belong to a God who is always inviting us into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and each other. This “free-time” can be used to renew, rebuild and reconcile relationships. A prayer, a note, a text, a phone call, each have the power to draw us closer, to one another and in turn to Christ. In the coming days or weeks, I hope to put together a day of refection or/and a daily prayer/mindfulness routine, something you can do at home, which may be helpful in your own spiritual development and growth. Be assured that I keep you in prayers especially when I offer mass.

There are a few announcements that I have received that I want to share with you today:

• Please check out the Diocesan website with the message from our Bishop: www.orlandodiocese/landing/. It is pretty much the same as what was in the email you received yesterday from me. Just as importantly, below the Bishop’s message is a button for donations/offertory to the church. The Diocese has established this link because parishes still have to operate and pay bills and salaries, even though the church is closed. All of us are affected by this virus in one way or another and we do not yet know when we will be in the church and have the normal offertory collection. Therefore, using the donation link will be of great help during this difficult time.
• The Pope has asked us to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the rosary together at 4pm today. I encourage you to join our Pope and millions of others in praying the rosary asking the Blessed Mother in intercede for us.

Always, may God’s peace be yours,

Fr. Leo

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Romans 5:1-5