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April 18, 2020 - Pastor Message

03/29/2024

In this weekly column, I typically offer my own reflection on important themes in our faith. Throughout this year, I have been reflecting on the theme of discipleship, what it means to be a disciple of Christ. From the very beginning, when Christ called the first disciples, discipleship has always been a team effort, supporting one another as we strive together to live Christlike lives. Our current separation due to COVID 19 has made that extremely difficult, but not impossible.

“Nothing is impossible for God” (Luke 1:37), and his grace is still alive and well in our community of disciples here at St. Boniface. Though separated by miles, parishioners have continued reaching out and supporting one another by phone, text, email, online video, and live-streaming. I myself have been blessed and humbled by the many parishioners who have reached out to offer support and encouragement to me as your pastor. In this week’s column, I’d like to share some of that support with you by quoting just some of the messages I have received. While sent to me, I think they convey a faith-filled message that is of spiritual benefit for us all. Thank you to all who have reached out to me and others in these trying times, and let’s keep being there for each other as the light of our shared faith leads us together through the present darkness toward a new, brighter dawn.

“Happy Easter! Thanks for the beautiful Mass today! Not the same as being together but thank the Lord for the internet.”

 “Happy Easter Father! My wife and I just finished watching Mass. Thank you for helping to bring the light of Christ into our home this Easter. I feel hopeful and encouraged and hope you are having a wonderful day!”

“Thanks so much for putting all that interesting stuff online so we can stay in touch with church. I miss our church family so very much.”

“The church is so beautiful and it’s really missing the congregation and your sermons and giving Holy Communion. I can say I was really blessed on Holy Thursday and more on Good Friday and I pray that it won’t be another five weeks before I can receive Holy Communion again. I’m sitting here reading the whole Easter Sunday Mass. And I hope that later I can get your Mass on my phone when I get home. Hope you were able to have family time today. I’m praying for all the medical workers out there putting themselves in danger to save lives, all the people out of work, all the religious leaders that they will soon fill their churches, all those who have lost loved ones to the virus, and I sit here with so much to be thankful for on this Easter. Yes I miss being with family and friends but God is taking care of us. God bless you.”

“I really feel this pandemic has strengthened my religion so much more and brought me so much closer to God…I believe it is my faith and trust in God as to why I’m not having any fear of all this virus…This pandemic has pretty much taken away our going out to eat, going to a movie, traveling, a little bit of time at the casino, celebrating Mass with our fellow parishioners, time to spend with our friends and family, but one thing it will not take away from me is my time to spend with Jesus. He will always be there for us no matter what.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Fr. Marc Stockton

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