April 29

Today’s Readings: ACTS 8:1-8 PS 66:1-7 JN 6:35-40

Thank you. Many of you have done an amazing job continuing to give to Our Lady of Joy throughout this crisis. As a result, it will take our parish much less time to recover and resume normal programming in the wake of current events. So many parishes will be forced to wait months before purchasing programs for children and/or adults. Many released staff members will take this time as an opportunity to make a career move. In some cases, others will realize they get paid as much on unemployment. Churches will spend money to recruit, hire and train up new staff. One document just suggested it will take the Church three years to recover.

While we have had to implement a combination of a staff reduction, some current salary reduction, and furloughs, we have done better than most. Thanks to you. Yet, the longer this continues, the more difficult it becomes.

It’s like a ship that is being expertly captained through an extreme weather event. The captain can continue forward longer than most on wise decisions, but if that storm just keeps relentlessly battering the ship…well…grab the life preservers.

But you are not powerless. There are a few things you can do.

Pray. I mean it. Prayer has power. Prayer can heal the sick. Prayer can kill viruses. Prayer can help our leaders (Church and governmental) make sound decisions. Prayer works.

Continue to give to the parish. Dropping off envelopes is great, but only if you keep doing it. The reason we continue to encourage switching over to online giving at https://www.ezekielgiving.com/App/Giving/oloj is because it helps you be consistent. Since my family began years ago, we haven’t missed a week (and we’ve never had a security issue).

Finally, send notes of support to our priests. They don’t like this any more than you do, but our priests are good, holy, and obedient men of God. Let them know you love them, support them, miss them, and let them know you are praying for them.

frty@oloj.org

frattah@oloj.org

frkurt@ndpsaints.org

David is the Director of Faith Formation at Our Lady of Joy.

If you have comments or questions, send your emails to dlins@oloj.org. 

As we have lost our weekly collection income, we can only maintain our current staff for a limited time without your help. Please spread the word and sign up for auto-pay or make whatever donation you can at https://www.ezekielgiving.com/App/Giving/oloj