May 14, 2020
Dear Friends,
Please know of my prayers and support as we continue to move forward in these times of the Covid-19 crisis. As people of faith, we know that we must stick together as the Body of Christ to not only survive, but to seek blessings sometimes hidden even in the hardest of struggles. We are called to share these blessings with others, especially those most vulnerable and hurting.
With both the directives issued by the Archdiocese as to the re-opening of churches and the resumption of public Mass, and the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision to lift the Safer at Home order, I am aware more than ever of my responsibility as your pastor to guide our Family of Four in our unique circumstances of church layout and the population we serve as a city parish.
With a huge amount of consultation with the health care heroes, with other pastors, with public policy and public health experts, as well as our trustees and parish staff and leadership, I am in the process of making a decision which I will communicate next week via email blast, a mailed letter to all registered parishioners, and a special YouTube video. I am taking a quiet weekend of prayer to consult the best consultant I could ask, Jesus Christ. I ask for your prayers as I make this decision. I know whatever I decide, some will not be happy, and I pray I have the humility and courage to speak from my heart and conscience. I pray daily for all those in my responsibility, and ask for your patience in these crazy days.
Video Mass for Sunday, May 17. Here is the recorded Mass celebrated by Fr. Tim and Fr. John for this upcoming Sunday (the Sixth Sunday of Easter). We provide a worship aid to help you better enter into the prayer of the Mass. We continue to be thankful for the work of our liturgists Mary Robertson and Brian Eggers, our cantor Amy Sobczak and our parish staff. Thanks also to David Vartanian and his son Blase of DV Productions for their tireless efforts in helping to make these filmed Masses possible.
Parish Financial Support. We are so grateful for your financial support of the parishes during these tender and tenuous times. Thank you so much—it has been amazing to see the generosity of so many people! Please continue to mail in your envelopes and contributions to our parish office (Old St. Mary Parish, 835 N Milwaukee St, Milwaukee, WI 53202) and our parish staff will process these.
Please do not hesitate to contact me (cell: 414-762-7986; kitzket@archmil.org) or our dear Associate Pastor, Fr. John (Cell: 414-305-3824; baumgardnerj@archmil.org) Please know of our love, support, prayers!
Sincerely, with love,
Fr. Tim
Your Pastor
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