Our Lady of 

Lourdes Church

Dear Parishioners, Friends and Family,

May this letter find everyone well as we nourish ourselves spiritually through prayer and distant common worship while keeping ourselves healthy and strong.

Friday, May 22, brought confusion to many of us with all the conflicting positions of our national and local leaders on the opening of churches. Therefore, to clear things out, Archbishop Gomez sent to all priests a letter stating that: “We are getting closer to reopening our parishes. Unfortunately, we are not at a point yet where we can do so safely. . . . . There has been confusion today about this, so I want to clarify: our churches remain closed this weekend and until further notice.”

Now, after months of “staying safe at home” and social contacts, we shall be coming out of quarantine in phases. We will undoubtedly be faced a lot of coping up. Many have experienced fresh hardships like the loss of a job and death of a loved one; many have changed the way to live, work  and do even the most ordinary thing as going to the grocery store. Above all is the fear of going out and meeting people especially those who do not wear masks. In other words, we shall be living with this quarantine-state-of-mind. On the parish level, we shall also be faced with how to re-open ministry functions and rebound from what we have been desiring for long: the Holy Eucharist, Baptisms, Marriages, Confirmation and just being with friends in Church.

Let us continue to keep in mind those who lost their jobs and could hardly place some food on their table and a roof above their heads.

For now, in the absence of a vaccine, there remains no absolute certainty about safety nowadays and we have to deal with this fact. This pandemic brings about some sort of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) that may and even may have already resulted into depression and alcohol and substance abuse.

Our Lady of Lourdes has been continuing its ministry to the parish, especially to those who are most in need. Thanks to those who have given generously to works of charity as we joined hands with the Pasture and used whatever we have in parish reserve funds and from the McIntyre Fund in the service of charity. Thanks to all those who keep up with their sacrificial offerings and donations to OLL Church (the month of May is financially very challenging but with God’s grace and our full cooperation, we will survive). The Lord knows how to reward a generous servant and steward.

May the Lord keep us all safe and bless us with His peace!

Fr. Rolly