Can We Open the Church?

The desire of many to be in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament is laudable. It pains us priests greatly that we cannot allow the Church to be open at this time. The following words from our fellow parishioner, Dr. Joyce Johnson, in an email to me March 19 illustrate this wisdom:

What we now know about transmission is much different from a week or two ago. The most recent study shows the virus lives on surfaces, for several days depending on the surface. It also lives in the air for at least a few hours. It would only take one infected asymptomatic person to spread disease to many. The average asymptomatic person spreads disease to two others, but some asymptomatic people have spread disease to over 100 other people!

As many know in a message from our principal, a school parent has been diagnosed with COVID 19. A parishioner informed me of two adult children who have the virus and are recuperating well in isolation from others. We will always follow the guidance of the Archdiocese with regard to the Church building and parish buildings; but let us all remember that the Church is essentially a people. We remain strong and together in prayer and in the myriad of ways in which we communicate God’s love to one another!