St. John Neumann Church

Dear Friends in Christ,
 
Obviously we are all in the midst of an experience which is so very strange and threatening.  Even on a beautiful, sunny day it feels like a dark cloud overshadows the world.  Though I have never experienced anything like this before, I suspect that this is one of those moments in history which bring out both the absolute worst in people, but one which can also bring out the best in others.
 
I hope and pray that we can be among that latter group; responding in love and charity, sharing what we have and offering reassurance through prayers and kindness.
 
It goes without saying that this will be a very different Lent, Holy Week and Easter:  We will be denied direct access to our sacred worship and most of the sacramental life.  Nevertheless, this new threat to human life comes as a "sacramental moment" which reminds us that we are not the masters of reality or of our own destiny.  This is not the rebuke of an angry God but a sobering and humbling reality check.
 
As we ride out this strange, silent storm together, let us keep in mind the folks who have no one with whom to share the experience . . . the lonely, the homebound etc.
 
I am considering recording a weekly Mass and posting it on our website, but there are many other television Masses available to us, and so I am uncertain of the value of doing this.   Please avail yourselves of all helps to the spiritual life during this time, including the Holy Bible, spiritual writings, television Mass, Rosary and Confession.  The Church will be opened for private prayer and I will be available during some of those times for confessions once we have determined the best schedule and a regime for cleaning/sanitizing.
 
Please be assured that I will remember all of you in the private Masses I celebrate.
 
Grace and Peace to All,  In Christ Jesus our Lord
 
Fr. Greg

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Palms have been blessed and are available in the Narthex on Saturday from 4pm-7pm and on Sunday from 9am-7pm.  The gospel and homily for Palm Sunday can be viewed on https://youtu.be/kriWTllDGNM

The church will be open for Private Prayer from 9am - 7pm daily

Text SJNFREETOWN to 84576 and you will receive updates from the parish as they become available