Dear Friend and Parishioner of OLP in Fords,
This is Holy Week; these are profound and solemn days that call to mind the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus.
First and foremost, we need to continue and remind ourselves to pray, earnestly, and for one another. These are certainly difficult and polarizing times for us, individually and as a society. But remember, prayer is our one-on-one time with the Lord. In our prayer, we need to remind ourselves that Jesus Christ is with us and wants to be with us; remember all the blessings in our life! Then, we need to read this week's Scriptures. Finally, we need to reflect on what we read. Listen to what God wants to say to us. Perhaps, especially now in a time of anxiety.
Of course it saddens me, and I’m sure for you as well, that we are not able to worship and pray together in our beautiful church, in the immediate future. My promise to you is that your priests will celebrate Mass daily, in private, for the scheduled intentions, and asking the Lord, the Divine Physician, to offer all of us hope and healing. You will certainly continue to be in my daily prayers as well.
I ask you and your family to pray with me, every day, at least one decade of the Rosary, from wherever you are – together as a family, or alone. Remember, it is our faith and our solidarity in prayer that can and will help us through these very difficult days.
Lastly, to communicate with you, we need you to give us your updated contact information. Please fill out the form enclosed and mail it to the Parish office. You can also fax the form to us. If you prefer, you can send us an email with the requested information. The sooner you can return this information to us the better we can communicate with you throughout the year.
Allow me to conclude with the prayer written by our Holy Father, Pope Francis, who composed the following prayer to Our Lady, Health of the Sick, to implore her protection during the coronavirus pandemic. May God continue to bless and keep you and your families safe and healthy.
Devotedly yours in Christ,
Father Matthew
Rev. Matthew R. Paratore, S.T.L., J.C.L.
Pastor