April 1, 2020 – My Sisters and Brothers,
I pray that despite the given circumstances of the Coronavirus, you are doing as well as can be expected. I know that there is a lot of prayers being offered at this time and I know that a number of us are reaching out to one another through emails, text, face book, etc. Keep up the loving and creative ways of reaching to one another.
I do not have face book, however anything that pertains to parish business and parish life and is signed by me on facebook is my way of reaching out to those who have face book or any other electronic means. If you have a question about anything, please email me (sgablandry@bellsouth.net) , phone me at (225) 721-1191 or text me. I promise that I will respond to you asap.
Chad Babin and I will be recording the Palm Sunday liturgy and it will be aired through our website. The Papal directive is that we use “The Simple Entrance Form.” The simple form does not allow for a procession or the blessing of palms. Therefore there will no blessing of palms at this time and no distribution in any way. There is too much risk for the spread of the coronavirus. What we will do at a later date is bless them for those who would like one and the rest we will burn and distribute the ashes on Ash Wednesday.
Chad and I will not be recording the Triduum Services of Holy Thursday, Good Friday or Holy Saturday on our website. I understand that other Catholic stations will air these services with Pope Francis presiding. Bishop Duca will be presiding at these services on Channel 15, the diocesan Catholic Channel. I think that it would be a great sign of our universality as Catholics to watch these services together in the confines of our homes with our families as well as with our parish family through the airwaves. We may not be in the church building, however we are church within our hearts.
Chad and I will be recording the Easter Sunday services which will be aired on our website at the normal time.
Please know that you are in my heart, thoughts and prayers. It is a privilege for me to serve as your pastor and shepherd. I am so grateful for the love, support and challenges that you offer me to grow as a child of God and a disciple of Jesus. If I have offended anyone due to my own shortcomings, I ask you forgiveness and I pray that together we can continue our journey in growing in the image and likeness of our God.