A Letter from Fr. John Mark Klaus, T.O.R.
We the friars at Good Shepherd Catholic Community are missing you. We are glad you are participating in the Mass with us on Facebook. We are hoping to stream Good Friday Stations at noon and Morning Prayer at 8:30am. We will also begin Evening Prayer the following week.
I know that it has been hard for you not coming in person to Mass and receiving the sacraments and it is hard for us not seeing you, but this is our reality right now.
I would like to greet the Holy Trinity students, parents, and teachers, who have done such a great job in providing online teaching at this time. I am sure it has been hard to stay at home and not being able to be with your friends, but it is also an adjustment for your parents staying at home, too.
This Lent has been like no other. Hopefully you have had more time for prayer, fasting, giving of yourself and continue alms-giving to our church.
Dr. Patrick Manning PHD, the chair of the department of Theology at Seton Hall University had an article that we could reflect on during out prayer time. Below are some questions for reflection taken from his article.
- What unexpected ways has God been working in you during this crisis?
- Are we taking the time to rest?
- How are we refocusing on what is important in our lives? What are our priorities?
- How much time have we been praying to God, and then taking time to listen to his voice?
- How am I connecting more deeply with the people in my life?
For more on these reflections, please visit the original article here.
As I mentioned before, the friars miss being with you. If you have a sacramental need, (Penance or Anointing of the Sick), let us know so we can visit you.
I thank you personally for the many cards and e-mails of encouragement and on how much you appreciate the friars. We also appreciate you.
My prayer is that when we come back to Good Shepherd we will be stronger than ever. Participating in the Mass and sacraments again and coming back to the many organizations and ministries you belong to here in our faith community.
Our daily prayers are with you. May we all pray for a swift end to the pandemic, so that we can safely again be with the family and friends we love, and to go to the places we want to go.
Thank you for all you do for the friars and we all look forward to seeing you soon.
I wish each one of you a blessed Holy Week and Easter.
God bless you all.
Fr. John Mark Klaus, T.O.R.
Pastoral Administrator