Another week when I feel like I am writing from exile! We are doing our best to keep things going around here. Yes, there are a few challenges. We have been able to cut back on many things and several projects in order to be most judicious with our stewardship. Several projects were underway when all of this began, so we have been able to get those finished at least. It’s been a good time to get some painting done as well. While we have to be prudent with expenses, this is also no time to be idle and certainly we did not want to have to furlough regular staff thus adding to the burdens that this lockdown is placing on all of us.
The school is doing well. The students and teachers interact each day and programs and projects are getting done. We hope that we will at least be able to bring the students back for something before the start of summer vacation, but it is hard to know what that will look like. Something tells me we will all need a great vacation when we are able to do so.
We are doing our best to provide prayer and educational resources for you on line every day. Thank you to the many who are “tuning” in to Mass regularly. We appreciate your response through email, notes, and comments via the social media platforms. We have papered bulletin boards with these comments so that you can see them when you return. It is a blessing to Fr. JM and I that you are all so thoughtful during these days.
We are especially grateful for those of you who have been able to make some contributions as well as the extraordinary gifts along the way. We are doing our best in pacing out expenses and watching what we are spending and where. We know that it is tough for many of you as well.
Once again, if you are in need of anything, please do not hesitate to make contact with us. We will do our best to assist you.
Although there are many cases of COVID-19 in our area – over 90 cases at Bay Shore Hospital alone – we have not heard of many parishioners who are so afflicted. Please reach out to us via the “prayerwall” on the website or by calling the main office to add prayers to the intention book. These days we need to pray for one another.
We are working hard to discern what God is calling us to next. Certainly there is a lesson in here somewhere that we can and should be learning as to the life of the parish. Please continue your prayers for each of us here as well.