Congratulations! We are very happy that ten of our First Communion children celebrate receiving the Lord in the Eucharist this Saturday. Thank you to their families for all their understanding as we figure things out during these pandemic days, and thanks especially to Faith Formation Director Catherine Barilleaux for all her great leadership. Congratulations boys and girls!! You remind us how precious Holy Communion is.
Things continue with the repair of the plaster above the high altar. As I mentioned last week, the artisans have already been hard at work. The news is good and bad. The good news is that the major figures of The Christ, the angels, and the crowds of people and musicians (very busy up there!) are in decent condition. The bad news is that the flat background surface (which is just over an inch thick) needs major repair. It is attached in a spotty way to the exterior brick wall by a 100-year-old mixture of horse hair and other connecting materials. Also, there are two stained glass windows on the left and right sides that are in terrible shape. Finally, there are lighting fixtures in odd places that have been there for decades that have to be removed to prevent further damage. I am very glad that the work is underway; we are hoping for a mid-August completion. Please pray for the workers and for all those “on the ground” who are coordinating all these efforts.
Other matters: with the help of a parishioner and Bobby LeBlanc, there is now a detailed instruction available on the parish website, detailing the many elements of attending Mass at St. Paul’s in as safe a manner as possible.
I continue to be grateful to the ushers, cleaners and liturgical ministers who help us to make it possible to offer Mass each weekend. If you’d like to help, be sure to contact Nancy at the main parish office number.
In the case of our discovering that someone at Mass today tests positive for COVID-19 in the next several days, we want to be able to inform all of you so that, in consultation with your physician, you can take the appropriate steps.
If you registered to come to Mass today, we already have your contact information, and will reach out to you if we learn that someone here has tested positive.
If you did not register, and if you wish to be contacted, please call or email the rectory with the appropriate contact information so that you can receive notification.
Even if you do not choose to leave your name, please know that we will make any announcement of a positive test on the parish website as well, so please check the website on a regular basis.
The work of the volunteer ushers and cleaners has been invaluable. That said, many are moving on to other parts of the world or even a well-deserved vacation or two! If you are able to help with one of these support roles, please contact Nancy in the main office. Once again, without a full team of cleaners and ushers for each Mass, we are not permitted to celebrate the Mass.
This week, we had a meeting of our Finance Committee. I am grateful for their wise counsel. Given the challenges of these days, we are doing our best to make ends meet, though we are still not there. Thanks to those who continue to support the parish financially, especially through electronic and online giving. Please remember the Offertory baskets at the exits of the church if you prefer to contribute in this way.
We are coming to the end of the fiscal year on June 30. If you would be able to make an extra donation to help us cross the finish line, it would be very helpful.
We are also grateful to those who supported us in the 90 Days Now initiative. St. Paul’s was a leader on this front. Because the effect on Mass attendance has and will be impactful for the foreseeable future, we will soon be offering a second opportunity for a renewed 90 Days Now offering. If you did not participate last time, could I ask you to do it now? If you were able to help in the last round and may be able to do it again (I will renew my $100 pledge), that would be appreciated. This contribution would be in addition to your regular offering if at all possible. It will be posted on the website as soon as it is ready to go.
We are waiting to hear from Harvard about its plans for undergrads. The online move for graduate schools has already had an impact on our next semester! The Choir School is a leader in preparations for September. (Some folks have already offered financial assistance for the AC and air filtration units that we will have to install. Unfortunately, we received news that the cost will be around $60,000. If you could also help in that way, it would be a great comfort to the boys, their families, and all the staff.)
We are happy to continue our Tuesday night Confessions in the church sacristy from 7:00 PM to 8:00PM and by appointment. Daily Mass at 12:10 PM continues to be a prayerful and blessed time.
“Summertime, and the living is…..” How many ways to fill in this line from the great Gershwin masterpiece!!