Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
May marked the resumption of public Masses in the Diocese of Bridgeport, with indoor Masses resuming in June. I cannot begin to describe the joy of having people in the pews once again! I am especially moved by the relief so many have expressed at being able to receive the Eucharist again. Our patron, Pope St. Pius X, would be very happy to see the desire for Holy Communion that is so strong in our parish community! As the Second Vatican Council reminds us, the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. In the Eucharist, we encounter the living, risen Jesus in a profound and personal way. From this encounter, our Lord draws us into the mystery of His love and mercy and teaches us the depths of the Good News He proclaimed in His public ministry. This encounter sends us out to bring the Gospel to the world, to live it in action, and to grow daily in holiness of life. We are constantly drawn back to this living source as we progress more and more in the spiritual life. The Mass and the sacrament of the Eucharist is truly an essential service!
Given the pandemic, it has been necessary to take precautions so that we can protect ourselves and others from the spread of coronavirus and so that all who worship here can have a sense of comfort that they are not taking unnecessary risks. Using hand sanitizer and wearing masks are on the list of simple, common sense precautions that we are able to take, and I thank you for your willingness to do this. I am grateful to our volunteers who have helped to clean the church after Masses, as well! Even though state guidelines for houses of worship can feel overly restrictive at times, the simple act of following them is effective. To date (knock on wood…can a Catholic priest say that?), no cases of COVID-19 have been traced to attendance at a Catholic Mass in Fairfield County. By remaining vigilant, we have kept attendance at Mass a safe activity. Our sign-up system is working well, and we hope to be able to increase our numbers in the near future. To receive email notifications about life at St. Pius, text “SPXFFLD” to 84576.
Just as many have expressed a renewed hunger for the Eucharist, I suspect that there are many in our community who are interested in knowing more about their Catholic faith, or who would like to become Catholic. Some adults who did not receive the Sacrament of Confirmation may wish to do so, while some non-Catholics may be interested in entering the Catholic Church. Given the need for health precautions, the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) will look a bit different this year. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, or receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, or would simply like to grow in your understanding of the Catholic faith, I invite you to come to an Inquiry Afternoon on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4 PM in the Community Room. It will be a time to both learn about the process of becoming Catholic and ask questions about the faith. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Peace,
Fr. Sam
