The following letter was published in the March 22, 2020 St. Lawrence O'Toole Bulletin
How the world has turned upside down in just a few weeks!
But here at St. Lawrence and Sacred Heart, we're looking for creative new ways to minister to people and keep people tuned into God working in their lives, in the midst of the crisis. Here are some ways you can plug in, even if we aren't having public Masses.
1. The Safety Squad - We're recruiting volunteers to work the phones, calling parishioners and checking especially on the elderly, those alone, and those with medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the virus. We're offering to help get supplies, to encourage them, to pray with them, to send someone to bring Holy Communion. If you can help, or would like a call, check it out on www.stlawrenceotoole.org/SafetySquad.
2. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament – It is still going on around the clock. You can stop in to the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel at St. Lawrence. The churches are open for prayer. At times like this we need it more than ever.
3. Holy Mass Sunday 9:30 a.m. is livestreamed every week. Check it out at www.stlawrenceotoolelive.org. Pray the Prayer of Spiritual Communion that is in the box below*.
5. Stations of the Cross livestreamed at 6:15 pm every Friday in Lent. Check it out at www.stlawrenceotoolelive.org.
6. Daily Mass - I'm praying especially for all our parishioners at my private Mass 8:30 am daily, that the plague will spare all our parishioners and their families.
7. Our Youth Ministry and Religious Education people are reaching out online to everyone in their ministries.
And remember it is still Lent... we should continue with our prayer, fasting, and sacrifices.
God bless,
Fr. Richard Gill
*SPIRITUAL COMMUNION PRAYER
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.