To:  The Parishioners of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

From:  Deacon Mike Lemieux, Temporary Administrator

Dear Family: I hope you are well and following the directions of the Center Of Disease Control (CDC) to keep the Coronavirus (Covid19) from spreading.  I don’t think we ever expected to see a Pandemic to happen in our lifetime.  But here we are!  And we will overcome it by staying close to home and practicing social distancing and good hygiene.  In times of distress, darkness, and sorrow, it is important to place all of our trust in God.  There is no better time to gather the family and pray every day for the protection of our people.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.

With Governor Cuomo’s mandate to reduce the workforce by 100% we’ve had to make some significant changes to our schedules. The diocese has directed us not to keep the church open without staff.  Since Jesus is with us always, we can pray anytime and anywhere.  Let us keep raising our prayers to God, the giver of all life and mercy for an end to Covid19.

The Parish Office will be closed; however, phone calls will be received from 10 am to 2 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday until further notice.  If you have an emergency, please feel free to contact me on my cellphone at 716-410-6598.

Weekday Masses: Father Walter continues to celebrate daily Mass at his residence during the week for the intentions listed in the bulletin.  We will continue to update the weekday intentions on the website. Fr. Walter will celebrate one Mass on Sunday (at his residence) for the parish and the end to Covid19.  If you wish to send Fr. Walter a note, please send it to the Parish Office and I will see that he receives it. 

Weekend Masses: All Mass intentions for the Saturday Vigil and Sunday Masses will be rescheduled.  Starting today, the Parish Secretary will begin calling families to explain the situation and the process for rescheduling their Mass intention once the ban on celebrating Mass is over.  I appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Offerings:  With the ban on celebrating Mass our financial resources are severely limited.  We still need to maintain the building and property, pay staff and keep current with utility expenses.  If able, I encourage you to continue to make your weekly offering.  You can mail your envelope to the Parish, or you can go to the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Website and donate using the secure online donation option.  Thank you in advance for any donation you can provide.   

Easter:  I do not have any information or directives concerning our Easter celebrations.  As soon as I receive any information I will make it available on the SEAS website.

Faith Formation:  This is a good time for families to celebrate their faith at home.  To make this process easier, you will find Faith Formation ideas and exercises on the Faith Formation tab at the top of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton website (seasdunkirkny.org).  We will continue to add additional resources as we move forward.

Social Contact:  social distancing does not mean social isolation; therefore, It is important that as a church community we stay connected to God and each other.  Here are a few suggestions.   We can text, call or send a note of encouragement to those who are isolated or members of the church community.  If a shut-in needs food or medicine, please consider running an errand for someone if you are healthy and able to assist.  Perhaps you can share your food with someone?

As someone new to your parish, I would like to stay connected as well.  If there is someone you think I should check on, please send me their name (and phone number if you know it) and I will give them a call to make sure they are doing well.  You can email me at deaconmike@seasdunkirkny.org.

In this season of Lent, we have certainly entered the wilderness and now we long for the bread of life.   In last Sunday’s gospel, Jesus tells us that “ the night is coming when no one can work.” And he reminds us that he has come to do the will of the Father. The will of the Father is for the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the dead shall be raised.  “The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.  Let us continue to walk in the light of the Lord and keep our eyes on Jesus. 

Yours in Christ,

Deacon Mike