April 8

Before we dive into the Triduum, I just wanted to take a few minutes in order to share with all of you what we are doing to fight the coronavirus and continue our ministry during this trying time.

We are taking the spread of this illness very seriously. Thus far, we have determined about half our staff are able to work from home. Those of us left behind have individual offices making distancing quite easy. Adoration has been moved from the chapel into the larger main church. Confessions have been moved outside or into the former bookstore with appropriate space. A staff member disinfects between each individual confession. All doors to the office are being left open for those who need any help or are dropping off envelopes. All doors to the church are also being left open to facilitate less possibility of unclean surfaces.

We are also doing everything possible to remain financially solvent during this economically challenging time. All contracted outside services have been cut or greatly reduced. We have enacted a total spending freeze. The only buildings that have remained open are the church and the administrative offices (which also allows the maintenance crew to clean these remain areas with added regularity). We have employees who are currently on furlough and we have had a reduction in workforce.

In addition to all those measures, we have used every appropriate opportunity to encourage continued giving (https://www.ezekielgiving.com/App/Giving/oloj) or dropping off checks at our front office. I have heard from some people who planned to continue to stuff their weekly envelopes and just planned on bringing them in when Masses resumed. While this is very generous and preferable to those who might cease giving until that time, it doesn’t help maintain current staff or ministry efforts in the interim.

I need to say that some families have responded with great generosity and sacrifice. You know who you are and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Truly. Yet, I think it is important for everyone to understand our Easter collection is what sustains Our Lady of Joy through the summer months. This weekend could either be disastrous or a parish miracle. And this miracle is up to you.

In the past few weeks, we have been working overtime to continue to minister to your family in every way possible. We continue to work out the final kinks in our streamed Masses. Emails blasts have become much more frequent. Three talks by Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers are available at https://www.oloj.org/audio. Our gift shop has gone virtual (look for the banner at www.oloj.org). My weekly bulletin column has become a daily column on our website (scroll to the bottom of www.oloj.org). A parish YouTube channel has been established with content added regularly (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLi5m0VzxhzM_ld0e8OX3MQ). Our parish Facebook page has become another hub of information and updates (https://www.facebook.com/OLOJCarefree/). Every ministry is receiving regular emails.

And please know that if there is anything else we can do for you, we would be honored.

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.