On behalf of myself and Fr. John, I’d like to wish you all a very happy and holy Easter season. It is a very strange and challenging time, trying to come to terms with Covid 19 and the fact that so many of us are living in isolation: trapped inside for the most part; and cut off to some extent from some of our loved ones and from our parish communities. It’s very important at this time to remember that God is still with each and every one of us even now through the Holy Spirit. It is our shared faith in him; the love we all have for him and for each other; and our partaking of the same Spirit that is our most powerful point of connection. We are always members of the Mystical Body of Christ and no force in the universe can shatter that bond as long as we hold to it. This is the case, even at the best of times, but perhaps the current crisis should inspire us all to recognise it more fully and to be even more thankful for it. The greatest crisis in the history of the Church is already past. Jesus was dead and lying in the tomb and that seemed to be the end of everything. The Resurrection is our constant reminder that God’s love really does conquer all and that it will carry us through any and every crisis as long as we open our hearts to it. Keep the faith in whatever way you can through Holy Week and Easter, either with the assistance of the internet or the television or in private prayer. Show love to the people around you in whatever way you can within the guidelines we’ve all received. Know that you are very much in the minds and hearts of your priests; that we are constantly praying for you; and that we are eager for something akin to Pentecost, when we can all emerge from our isolation and come together again.
May God bless you all,
Fr. Tom and Fr. John