October 24, 2021

Dear Friends,
 
Many thanks to Bishop Lombardo and the 40 or so nuns, priests, brothers and seminarians who staffed the Night of Mercy last Monday evening. It was an honor for us that our parish was chosen to host the first of these events, which also took place on three other evenings last week at three other parishes in Vicariate III (which Bishop Lombardo’s territory, made up of about 50 parishes). I have to say that I was not sure what to expect or how it would go. It turned out to be a beautiful event, with many people of all ages stopping into church for some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and to light a candle. Some went to confession. There was a great sense of peace as quiet music was prayed and people quietly came and went. A number of people with whom I spoke outside as they were leaving said, simply, “I really needed this.”
 
This coming Thursday at 7pm the Ancient Order of Hibernians (an Catholic Irish-American fraternal organization) will give a presentation in Saint Gabriel church on founding pastor, Father Maurice Dorney. Known throughout the world as “the Stock Yards priest,” Fr. Dorney was a friend to workingmen and company owners alike and assisted in procuring jobs and averting strikes. He even went so far as to attend and graduate from law school during his time as a pastor. In 1887, Fr. Dorney traveled to Ireland and played an instrumental role in exonerating Charles Steward Parnell, a champion of home rule for Ireland, after Parnell was accused of complicity in a murder. I am looking forward to learning more about my predecessor!
 
November is the month when we remember the dead in a special way. It begins with All Saints Day (November 1st) and All Souls Day (November 2nd). As a way of holding in prayer our loved ones who have died, we will have near the Saint Joseph altars of our churches (St. Joseph is the patron saint of a peaceful death) a “Book of the Dead,” into which parishioners can inscribe the names of deceased loved ones. In addition, if you would like to bring a framed picture of a deceased loved one and place it on the Joseph or Mary altar, please do so. We will leave those pictures out throughout the month as we hold close to our hearts the memories of these deceased loved ones. (Please be sure to write your name and phone number on the back so we can contact you in case you forget to pick it up at the end of the month).
 
Finally, the issue of vaccination mandates has been in the news of late, with much attention given to the mandate by the city to require all on its payroll to formally submit notification of vaccination status. The Cardinal has required that all employed by the Archdiocese do the same, including the priests. In fact, we received notice that unvaccinated priests will be contacted by a “priest influencer” to encourage vaccination, and that those persistent in their refusal will be removed from parish ministry. In addition, priests are prohibited from signing religious exemption forms for those experiencing a crisis of conscience regarding the vaccine. In the Cardinal’s judgement, getting vaccinated is a religious obligation. I am vaccinated, and I promote getting vaccinated; however, I must admit it is troubling that the Archdiocese requires that priests formally upload documents certifying vaccination rather than handle this on the “honor system.” We know how this pandemic has disrupted all our lives, and even ended many of them. We need to do whatever is necessary to end this disruption. Unfortunately, some ways of going about this seem to have caused division instead of bringing us together. Once we are in a safer, healthier place medically I think we’ll need to find ways to promote other kinds of healing.
 
May your week reflect the encounter with Christ
We experienced at Mass today!