The Cross I Carry

On my morning walk between the churches of St. Charles and St. Matthias I carry two crosses. One is the cross given to me by my father (more on that later), the other a small comfort cross carried on my pilgrimages. This cross was made by Phil, a parishioner. During pilgrimage hikes this cross is normally in my pocket although it is made and its purpose is to cradle in one’s hand. This is because hiking poles are often in use. But on these morning walks poles are not needed and I can carry the cross.

By accident I discovered a wonderful gift with the cross in my hand. I carry it in my right hand as it seems to nestle there quite nicely. When I meet someone my natural instinct is to reach out to greet them but the cross reminds me of the need presently for social distancing. When someone drives by and recognizes me, usually tooting the horn, I once again instinctively raise my hand in a wave. Such a small object made with care and love cradled in my hand being raised as if imparting a blessing. The presence of our Lord is ever with us, but especially in these trying times.

I have been asked when the churches are open and I am trying to keep to a schedule of opening St. Charles by 7:00 a.m. and then start the walk through the neighborhoods to open St. Matthias before 8:00 a.m. They stay open until at least 4:00 p.m. as it is a little harder to plan late afternoon. Hand sanitizer is right inside the door to use, so please keep safe. I and some brave souls continue to try and put the daily mass online but no promises as we work through some issues.

If you see me walking by give out a shout so I may raise my hand in prayer and blessing.

In faith, hope, and love, your Wandering Padre.

Fr. Dave

P.S. Attempts are being made to livestream daily Mass tonight at 5:00 pm via St. Charles Parish Facebook page.

A walk of faith, hope, and love on the feast of St. Patrick

As many of you know, it has been a blessing for me to travel on pilgrimages in Spain and Italy. Yesterday in the midst of my walk to St. Matthias the song “You’ll never walk alone” started to play on my iTouch (yes I know that I am dating myself with this outmoded form of listening to music). The words of this song took on a new significance during this moment in my life.

When you walk through a storm

Hold your head up high

And don’t be afraid of the dark.

At the end of the storm

There’s a golden sky

And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind

Walk on through the rain

Though your dreams be tossed and blown.

Walk on, walk on

With hope in your heart

And you’ll never walk alone.

You’ll never walk alone.

I have found in the outpouring of love from our church members that these words are so very true. People have called, emailed, and text messaged the desire to help in any way possible. To run errands, to contact the homebound, to simply stay connected with one another. But those words also remind me that none of us walk alone as I learned on my pilgrimage treks. Our God is always at our side and we simply need to open our eyes to that presence in those around us.

I hope today that we will be able to post the daily celebration of mass in the chapel but once again when it comes to these wonderful modes of communication, your pastor has a lot to learn. Social distancing does not help when one is trying to social network. This would be a good time to encourage our young people to consider if they might be called to serve the church as they seem to be hardwired for this means of communication.

In faith, hope, and love,
Fr. Dave

This will be our finest hour.

Dear St. Matthias Parishioners & Friends:

A walk in faith, hope, and love

Yesterday was strange! For the first time in my life, for the first time in my priesthood, there was no mass celebrated where I lived. I went online to see what was happening in Italy and to see how the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was spending his day as the churches in Rome are also closed. He was making a pilgrimage from St. Peter’s to the Basilica of St. Mary Major and to a cross that traversed Rome during the plague of 1522. He traveled alone except for a small detail of security following him.

I am the pastor of two churches, one named after St. Charles Borromeo, who ministered and served in Milan during this plague. Large processions following the Blessed Sacrament or this cross were common as the people were called to prayer to end the plague. St. Charles Borromeo is depicted in the large mosaic on the front doors of our church holding aloft the Blessed Sacrament before a throng of victims. His dedication and love for the Lord and the people entrusted to his care kept him in Milan while others fled in fear and panic.

Today, we have enhanced knowledge and a different understanding of how this virus spreads. Such large gatherings, our masses and other group forms of prayer are not possible or even prudent. But one thing has not changed, our need to pray. Pray alone, pray with our partners, pray with our family members, pray with those we live with.

As your pastor, that is presently all I can do for you…PRAY. I hope to live-stream mass soon if this can be set-up in our chapel. In the meantime, daily I will walk between St. Charles and St. Matthias to open the doors of our churches, to invite those who can and wish to stop by for quiet and prayer. We are not alone and this will be our finest hour I do believe.

In faith, hope, and love,

Fr. Dave

This situation is changing rapidly. We will do our best to keep you updated through these email blasts. These blasts are also linked to our website http://www.stmatthiasparish.org. If you know of other parishioners who do not regularly receive these updates, please forward them to the person or share the information via phone call.

Here is A Faith Response to the Coronavirus which may provide some much-needed perspective on this emerging health crisis.

Finally, please pray for health care workers, first responders, and those who work for a cure that they receive the support and resources that they need and that they remain safe during this health crisis.

If you have questions regarding this closure or cancelations, reply to this email for a timely response.

Sabrina Harper
Pastoral Associate

On March 4, Pope Francis offered this prayer for the protection fo the world in this moment of crisis and danger:

O Mary, you shine continuously along our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the Cross were near to the pain of Jesus, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman people, know what we need, and we trust that you will provide for those needs so that, as at Cana of Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this moment of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us, He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and took up our sorrows to bring us, through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. + Amen.