ST PATRICK

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March 28th and March 29th Weekend Message from Father Mike

March 21st and March 22nd Weekend Message from Father Mike

Some Notes from Fr. Mike

JUST ANOTHER SUNDAY?
This past weekend was rather surreal for me as I am sure it was somewhat for you. I missed "communion." We often refer to communion as the Eucharist, namely the Body and the Blood of Jesus. The Eucharist is absolutely everything for us as Catholic Christians, for we are united with our Lord in a most intimate way as well as given the strength to live the Gospel call. Communion, however, can likewise refer to our life together here at St. Patrick's and at St. Joseph's. In other words, Christ is not only present to us in the Eucharist, but also in community.
Very early in the Acts of the Apostles we hear of the early apostles and disciples who came together to hear the Word proclaimed and to share the Eucharist. Again, they came together. Jesus called those early apostles and disciples to be present to one another. In doing so, they were to manifest the church which would ultimately be a sign of Christ's presence in the world. Church would then be a sign of the resurrected life of the Lord and a sign of hope, especially hope for the downtrodden and the poor.
This is exactly what happens with all of us who come to pray each Sunday at St. Patrick's and at St. Joseph's. We come together to hear the Word proclaimed and to share in the Eucharist. But, we too come together as Church to be with one another. Our presence to each other both directly and indirectly tells us we are never alone. We are with one another and, therefore, in ways we will never fully imagine, minister to one another's needs. If nothing else, our presence affirms Christ is alive in community regardless as to what is happening in our lives. God is with us and we are with each other. It is not surprising then why so many are uplifted on Sunday and throughout the coming week. God gives us what we need as "communion."
Essentially, this is what I missed this past Sunday. I definitely noticed something was missing. Yes, I celebrated a private Mass, but still something was missing, in particular, my community of St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's. As meaningful as the Eucharist is, it is community which too serves a similar purpose and meaning. What I many times take for granted I miss the most. This, I believe, awakens in me, and I pray for all of you, a desire to be with one another as we move and as we travel through this global health crisis.
The absence of community is a breeding ground for anxiety and fear, loneliness and sadness. we can do much to take care of each other throughout this crisis and so live communion.
First of all, reach out to each other. We certainly can text a message or send an email, but a telephone call is so much more powerful. I am sure we prize those times we heard the voice of a parent or a friend. Whatever was troubling us was diminished, maybe not a lot, but some. We heard of another's presence, encouragement and support. What exactly was the feeling you experienced? Whatever the feeling, we just knew everything was going to be okay, even though we were not sure as to how. But, here is the challenge: call somebody you do not know very well here at St. Patrick's or at St. Joseph's. We all must expand our network of relationships and so solidify our life as community in ways which share the very presence of Christ. Out of this crisis, we become stronger as community all the more.
Second, be grateful. It is our gratitude which informs us as to what God has done for us and as to what we can do for each other. Each and every day we have before us the many and varied opportunities to serve our neighbor, whoever our neighbor may be. Our gratitude tells us what we have and what we can do rather than what we do not have and what we cannot do. All of a sudden, community emerges for us and for the world. We, in fact, become Eucharist as we are united with Christ and with our parish and our global community.
God is here. God is ever present. Let us rejoice in that awareness and let us live anew with each other. As God takes care of us, let us again take care of one another.
Let us receive and let us be communion.

Church Support

Some have inquired as to how to make their financial contribution to the parish in light of the absence of masses and other liturgical celebrations.
This current global health crisis has, of course, generated a great deal of anxiety and fear as well as created significant financial and economic hardship. Obviously, these concerns have overwhelmed many of us, and justifiably so. Nevertheless, if you are able to make your financial gift to the parish, please make it in one of three ways:

electronic giving,
mail (St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1039 14th Ave., PO Box 99, Sidney, NE 69162), or,
parish drop-off (Office hours - Monday-Friday, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.)

I am so thankful for your financial support and your generosity in these unsettling times as we pay attention to the day to day operations here at St. Patrick's.
Please know of my daily prayer for you and your familes.
Fr. Mike McDermott

For previous messages from Fr, Mike go HERE

Bishop Hanefeldt Response regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Latest Coronavirus Measures for the Diocese of Grand Island

To all people of faith and good will in the Diocese of Grand Island,

Throughout his public ministry, Jesus often said to people, “It is your faith that has saved you.” As we struggle with what must be done to limit the spread of the coronavirus in this country, I ask you, above all, to pray for an increase in the supernatural gift of faith. Particularly when our concerns, fears and insecurities disturb our peace. Like St. Joseph, let us renew our faith and trust in God, who sent his only begotten Son, to save us.

Yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts recommended the cancellation of public assemblies with 10 or more people, including worship services. While this is devastating news, it is vital that we are united in our efforts to contain the spread of this virus. Thus, it is with a heavy heart that I am invoking more stringent measures throughout the Diocese of Grand Island. Effective immediately, and consistent with the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Diocese of Lincoln, all public Masses and other communal celebrations of the Sacraments or other liturgies are temporarily suspended throughout the Diocese of Grand Island. In other words, there will be no public funeral services, weddings, Lenten Penance services, Confirmations, retreats, Parish Missions, or the Chrism Mass until further notice.

While funeral services may not take place, the committal of the body or the cremains at the cemetery should be commended to the Lord with only the closest relatives present, as long as the number of those in attendance is in compliance with civil authorities. Then, at a later date, a Memorial Mass or Service for the deceased may be scheduled.

Weddings ceremonies that are limited to the bride and groom, their two witnesses, and their parents may be celebrated, as long as the number of those in attendance is in compliance with civil authorities. Then, at a later time, a full reception may be scheduled to honor the newlyweds and celebrate with them.

These are very difficult measures because of how important our sacramental life is to us. May these limitations on what is most sacred to us, the freedom of worship, renew our longing for the day when we can again assemble to celebrate the Sacred Liturgy and receive our Lord in Holy Communion.

With the suspension of all public Masses, I ask every priest (health permitting) to celebrate Mass in private each day, praying for all those who are afflicted with the Coronavirus, for those in the medical community who are treating patients and for family members who are providing care at home.

While these measures are unprecedented in our times, there are many ways in which our faith tradition as Catholics can enrich our spiritual lives when we are unable to receive Holy Communion.
1. While public gatherings for worship are suspended, I ask that our Churches remain open and available daily for private prayer, from sunrise until a reasonable time into the evening. It is my hope that people of faith will come to spend time with our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration, offering him their love and pouring out their heart’s deepest desires with great faith in Him.
2. Perhaps you may be able to watch Mass on Television (e.g., on EWTN) or view Sunday Mass livestreamed from somewhere. This is a way of being united, to some degree, with the celebration of the Mass going on throughout the world, and remotely with one another.
3. The practice of making a “Spiritual Communion” is a beautiful way to unite ourselves with the Lord as we express our hunger for Eucharistic communion with him. Making a Spiritual Communion is a beautiful expression of our deep longing to ultimately be united with God for eternity. This can be done at any time, and in any place, including from our own homes.
4. Utilizing the time you would otherwise be at Sunday Mass to read and reflect upon the Sunday Scripture readings, either as a family or individually, can be deepen our sense of being united with our Lord and with one another.
5. Family devotions can also be a way of uniting ourselves within our own homes, to pray the rosary, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, the Stations of the Cross or other personal devotions.
6. Practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy can be done by making phone calls to those in our parish communities who live alone, encouraging them, praying with them and perhaps offering to bring them groceries or assist them in other ways.

I encourage you to be creative in how you will nourish and deepen your relationship with our Lord in this time before we are able to resume the public celebration of the Sacraments.

Palm Sunday occurs on April 5th this year. As civil authorities continue to assess the situation in our state, I will be providing an update with further direction about the liturgical celebrations for Holy Week and Easter Sunday. Likewise, further details regarding the possibility of livestreaming Masses will be made available as soon as some determination can be made.

Finally, please check regularly the website for the Diocese of Grand Island: www.gidiocese.org for updates and additional information.

Let us invoke the powerful intercession of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church, for his protection upon us all, and his heavenly aid for all who are afflicted with the Coronavirus, and their caregivers.

In Christ, our Hope!

+Joseph G. Hanefeldt
Bishop of Grand Island
A todas las personas de fe y buena voluntad en la Diócesis de Grand Island,

A lo largo de su ministerio público, Jesús a menudo decía a la gente: "Es tu fe la que te ha salvado". Mientras luchamos con lo que se debe hacer para limitar la propagación del coronavirus en este país, les pido, sobre todo, que recen por un aumento en el don sobrenatural de la fe. Particularmente cuando nuestras preocupaciones, miedos e inseguridades perturban nuestra paz. Al igual que San José, renovemos nuestra fe y confianza en Dios, quien envió a su Hijo unigénito, para salvarnos.

Ayer, el Centro para el Control de Enfermedades y el gobernador de Nebraska, Pete Ricketts, recomendaron la cancelación de las asambleas públicas con 10 o más personas, incluidos los servicios religiosos. Mientras estas son noticias devastadoras, es vital que estemos unidos en nuestros esfuerzos para contener la propagación de este virus. Por lo tanto, es con un corazón pesado que estoy invocando medidas más estrictas en toda la Diócesis de Grand Island. Con vigencia inmediata, y de acuerdo con la Arquidiócesis de Omaha y la Diócesis de Lincoln, todas las Misas públicas y otras celebraciones comunales de los Sacramentos u otras liturgias se suspenden temporalmente en toda la Diócesis de Grand Island. En otras palabras, no habrá servicios funerarios públicos, bodas, servicios de penitencia cuaresmal, confirmaciones, retiros, misiones parroquiales o la misa de crisma hasta nuevo aviso.

Aunque los servicios funerarios no pueden llevarse a cabo, el entierro del cuerpo o las cremaciones en el cementerio se debe enterar y recomendar al Señor con solo los parientes más cercanos presentes, siempre que el número de asistentes cumpla con las autoridades civiles. Luego, en una fecha después, se puede celebrar una misa conmemorativa o un servicio para el difunto.

Se pueden celebrar ceremonias de bodas que se limitan a los novios, sus dos testigos y sus padres, siempre que el número de asistentes cumpla con las autoridades civiles. Luego, en un momento después, se puede celebrar una recepción completa para honrar a los recién casados y celebrar con ellos.

Estas son medidas muy difíciles debido a lo importante que es nuestra vida sacramental para nosotros. Que estas limitaciones sobre lo que es más sagrado para nosotros, la libertad de practicar su fe, renueven nuestro anhelo del día en que podamos reunirnos nuevamente para celebrar la Sagrada Liturgia y recibir a nuestro Señor en la Sagrada Comunión.

Con la suspensión de todas las misas públicas, le pido a cada sacerdote (si la salud lo permite) que celebre la misa en privado todos los días, rezando por todos los afectados por el coronavirus, por aquellos en la comunidad médica que están tratando pacientes y por familiares que están a su atención en el hogar.

Mientras estas medidas no tienen precedentes en nuestros tiempos, hay muchas maneras en que nuestra tradición de fe como católicos puede enriquecer nuestras vidas espirituales cuando no podemos recibir la Sagrada Comunión.

1. Mientras se suspenden las reuniones públicas de misas, pido que nuestras Iglesias permanezcan abiertas y disponibles diariamente para la oración privada, desde el amanecer hasta un tiempo razonable en la noche. Espero que las personas de fe vengan a pasar tiempo con nuestro Señor en la Adoración Eucarística, ofreciéndole su amor y derramando los deseos más profundos de su corazón con gran fe en Él.
2. Quizás puedan ver la misa en televisión (por ejemplo, en EWTN) o ver la misa dominical en vivo desde algún lugar. Esta es una forma de estar unidos, hasta cierto punto, con la celebración de la Misa en todo el mundo, y remotamente entre sí.
3. La práctica de hacer una "Comunión Espiritual" es una hermosa manera de unirnos con el Señor al expresar nuestra hambre de comunión eucarística con él. Hacer una comunión espiritual es una hermosa expresión de nuestro profundo anhelo de estar unidos con Dios por la eternidad. Esto se puede hacer en cualquier momento y en cualquier lugar, incluso desde nuestros propios hogares.
4. Utiizar el tiempo que de otro modo estaría en la Misa dominical para leer y reflexionar sobre las lecturas dominicales de las Escrituras, ya sea en familia o individualmente, puede profundizar nuestra sensación de estar unidos con nuestro Señor y con los demás.
5. Las devociones familiares también pueden ser una forma de unirnos dentro de nuestros propios hogares, rezar el rosario, la Coronilla de la Divina Misericordia, las Estaciones de la Cruz u otras devociones personales.
6. La práctica de las obras de misericordia corporales y espirituales se puede hacer haciendo llamadas telefónicas a las personas en nuestras comunidades parroquiales que viven solas, animándolas, orando con ellas y quizás ofreciéndoles llevarles alimentos o ayudarlos de otras maneras.

Te animo a que seas creativo en cómo nutrirás y profundizarás tu relación con nuestro Señor en este momento antes de que podamos reanudar la celebración pública de los Sacramentos.

El Domingo de Ramos ocurre el 5 de abril de este año. A medida que las autoridades civiles continúen evaluando la situación en nuestro estado, proporcionaré una actualización con más instrucciones sobre las celebraciones litúrgicas para la Semana Santa y el Domingo de Pascua. Asimismo, se proporcionarán más detalles sobre la posibilidad de transmitir misas en vivo.

Finalmente, visite regularmente el sitio web de la Diócesis de Grand Island: www.gidiocese.org para obtener actualizaciones e información adicional.

Invoquemos la poderosa intercesión de San José, Patrón de la Iglesia Universal, para su protección sobre todos nosotros y su ayuda celestial para todos los que están afectados por el Coronavirus y sus cuidadores.

¡En Cristo, nuestra esperanza!
+ Joseph G. Hanefeldt
Obispo de Grand Island

Prayers for the World during the Outbreak of the Coronavirus
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we come in our tribulation. Through that charity which bound you to the immaculate Virgin Mother of God and through the paternal love with which you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly beg you graciously to regard the inheritance which Jesus Christ has purchased by his Blood, and with your power and strength to aid us in our necessities.
O most loving father, ward off from us every contagion of error and corrupting influence; O our most mighty protector, be propitious to us and from heaven assist us in our struggle with the power of darkness; and, as once you rescued the Child Jesus from deadly peril, so now protect God’s children from the snares of the enemy and from all adversity; shield, too, each one of us by your constant protection. Amen.
(Excerpted from the Enchiridion of Indulgences, 1969)

Oración para el Mundo durante el Brote del Coronavirus
A ti, o beato San José, venimos en nuestra tribulación. Por esa caridad que te ataba a la inmaculada virgen madre de dios, y por el amor paternal con cuál abrazabas el niño Jesús, te imploramos humildemente que aceptes generosamente la heredad que Jesucristo compró con su sangre, y con tu poder y fuerza nos ayudes en nuestras necesidades.
O padre tan cariñoso, que combates todos los contagios del error e influencia que nos corrompen; o fuerte protector nuestro, que seas propicio con nosotros y nos ayudes desde el cielo en nuestra lucha con el poder de las tinieblas; y, como una vez rescató al niño Jesús del peligro mortal, ahora, que protejas los niños de dios de las trampas del enemigo y de toda adversidad; que protejas a cada uno de nosotros por tu protección constante. Amén.

(Extracto del Enquiridión de las Indulgencias, 1969)

St. Patrick's Parish Mission Statement

Saint Patrick's Parish is a community empowered by the Spirit of God to love, serve, and welcome all to Christ.
As a family of common faith, we encourage stewardship by living out our baptismal call.

Welcome to St. Patrick's Parish, we have a great parish family!

Mass times:
Daily Mass is celebrated in the chapel
(no daily mass if a funeral is scheduled)
Monday - no Mass
Tuesday - 5:15 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday 7:15 a.m.
Saturday Vigil: 5:30 p.m
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.

Rest In Peace
Robert Batt
Wake Service 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Mass
Tuesday, March 17 - 10:30 a.m.

Reconciliation:
Tuesday & Saturday - 4:30 - 5:00 pm
Other times by appointment