Pastor’s Weekly Message 5-10-20

This weekend we continue our celebration of the Easter season and we also take the opportunity to celebrate our mothers, and all who take on the role of mother in our lives. We know from the
book of Isaiah that God loves us as only a mother can, “As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; And you will be comforted in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 66:13) As we take time this
weekend to honor and celebrate our own mothers, we also give thanks to God for his mothering love and the gift of the Mother of Jesus as a mother to us all.

Just eight weeks ago, we did not utilize video and the internet the way we do today. In this short time, we have seen a good portion of our community join us online to connect with us and with
each other. Your continued support has been amazing.

As we follow up on our theme of Connect, Communicate, and Continue Your Support we are broadening our own efforts to reach out and make contact with all of our parishioners and share
our plans which are underway to welcome you back. When we reopen, there will be changes as to how we may access and attend Mass. It is our intention to create and share videos detailing
these instructions and new guidelines so you may be able to in some part anticipate what it will be like when we return to worship together.

We are working on a special edition of our bulletin that we will place in the mail next week, which will contain new updates on the parish and the impact of the pandemic on us and the important
steps we are taking to emerge from this time in a stronger position for the future. Our bulletin mailing will reach additional parishioners for whom we do not have an email address and we are
also planning to reach out to each of our parishioners by phone in the coming days.

Speaking of the future, we are eagerly anticipating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Carmel Mission, which has seen much change and rebuilding over its history. Our planning
for this momentous anniversary year has begun. When Saint John Paul II visited the Mission, he exclaimed, “This serene and beautiful place is truly the historical and spiritual heart of
California.”

In our second reading this weekend, St. Peter encourages all of us to be “living stones” so that we may be made into a “spiritual house acceptable to God though Jesus Christ.” This is what we
are doing in our virtual community, with each of you, a living stone. We are making God’s house as we best can in these times. While we anticipate with joy when we can gather together again,
our spiritual house remains strong and dynamic, thanks to your support and participation.