Christ is risen, alleluia! He has risen indeed, alleluia! Happy Easter everyone. I am actually writing this column at the beginning of Holy Week. At this time, the coronavirus pandemic has now infected 1.2 million people globally with 330,000 in the U.S., and 69,000 deaths worldwide. I suspect that when you read this, the numbers will be much higher. The Surgeon General, Jerome Adams, said that this pandemic rivals some of the darkest moments in U.S. history, including the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and the September 11th terrorist hijackings. Surgeon General Adams went on to say that it was not going to be localized. It will be happening all over the country. He wanted America to understand that.

On Friday, March 27, 2020, I was able to participate through communications media in the Urbi et Orbi message of Pope Francis. Urbi et Orbi is Latin for the following phrase: “For the city (of Rome) and the world. Usually this blessing would be given by the Holy Father at Christmas or at Easter. But as a result of the unprecedented manner in which the coronavirus pandemic has brought profound devastation on nations all over the world, the Holy Father prayerfully discerned that these extraordinary times need extraordinary measures. I hope that you have the opportunity to read it. If you don’t have access to his meditation prior to that very special blessing, please let me know and I’ll be happy to send a copy of it to you.

I am writing this column as the Coronavirus outbreak is in our midst. As a precaution the parish offices will be closed this week. The office staff will work remotely. I will be here to answer phone calls, but am trying to practice social distancing. I need to be prudent about such things as I am in the at risk category. I am now 70 (and as someone recently told me I am officially an old person) and have a somewhat compromised immune system owing to a necessary treatment of powerful chemotherapy for an aggressive cancer several years ago.

In his Message for Lent 2020, Pope Francis points to the pascal mystery - the mystery of the Jesus’ Passion, Death, and Resurrection - as the basis of conversion. Last week I presented the first half of that message. In today’s column I am going to present the second half of the Holy Father’s message for Lent.

I have been reading the Message of Pope Francis for Lent 2020. I think that it is quite good. For that reason, I want to share it with you. Because of its length I will share it with you in the next two columns. Here is the first part for your reflection and study.

On Friday, February 28, 2020, I went to Annapolis to testify against the “End of Life Options Act” (Senate Bill 701/House of Delegates Bill 643). Two weeks before that date I had sent out a Flocknote to those who have signed up to receive Flocknotes from St. Francis of Assisi Parish. When a couple of people encouraged me to use what I had written as a basis for testifying in opposition to the legislation, I prayed about it. After praying and coming to the conclusion that I should offer to do this, I contacted the appropriate officials at the Archdiocese of Washington to gain their permission for me do this

I want to continue listing some pointers on parish etiquette. These reflections were first presented by Barbara Budde in a pamphlet (which is no longer in print) for the National Pastoral Life Center. Today I want to make some suggestions about our children at Mass.

In my column today I want to continue listing some pointers on parish etiquette. These reflections were first presented by Barbara Budde in a pamphlet (which is no longer in print) for the National Pastoral Life Center. Today I want to make some suggestions about what to do if Mass has already begun or if you need to leave early.

I am continuing my series on Parish Etiquette in this week’s column. These reflections were first presented by Barbara Budde in a pamphlet (which is no longer in print) for the National Pastoral Life Center. Let me mention some things that we could do to prepare well for the Sunday liturgy.

On February 1, 2020, we had our annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner. I want to thank Sylvia Jones and her team for putting together a great night for all who were able to attend. The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner provides me with an opportunity to say thank you to so many who work to make our parish the great place that it is!

I have been both disturbed and saddened by the rise of anti-Semitic incidents in our country. I was appalled to read about a machete attack at a rabbi’s house during Hanukkah celebrations. While I was visiting family in Las Vegas, I read the statement issued by Archbishop Gregory on December 30, 2019, on the “barbaric resurgence” of anti-Semitism.

Catholic Schools Weeks (CSW) is an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Now entering its forty-sixth anniversary years, CSW has been traditionally held during the last week of January. This year it will be observed from January 26 to February 1, 2020. I have met families in our parish over the nearly seven years that I have been pastor at St. Francis of Assisi whose children attend a number of Catholic Schools: First of all, l want to mention some of the elementary schools used by parish families: St. Jude Regional School, St. Patrick’s School, St. Peter’s School, St. Raphael’s School, Mary of Nazareth School, and Mother of God School.

I have been reading a series of emails from the Office for Justice, Peace, and Human Development of the United States Conference on Catholic Bishops (USCCB) concerning Poverty Awareness month, which we are currently observing. I was particularly moved by several of their reflections on several events that will occur this week. I thought that I would share these reflections with you in this week’s column.

From January 5-11, 2020 (last week) the Church in the United States celebrated National Migration Week. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Promoting a Church and a World for All.” This reflects the need for Catholics to be inclusive and welcoming to all our brothers and sisters. It is a call for unity to stand in solidarity with and care for those who are excluded and marginalized.

On December 1, 2019, Pope Francis issued an Apostolic Letter entitled Admirabile Signum (“Enchanting Image”) on the meaning and importance of the Nativity Scene. As you read this it is now four days after Christmas. Happily we are still within the Christmas season which will last until January 12 when we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. One of the scenes that Pope Francis recalls in his Apostolic Letter is the origin of the Christmas crèche and the role that St. Francis of Assisi had in its origins. Let’s listen to the Holy Father tell this story:

One of the songs of the Christmas season that I like is “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” which Andy Williams made popular a number of years ago now. One of the reasons that I think that it is the most wonderful time of the year is seeing the selfless generosity of so many people.

I want to make some more remarks in my column today about hospitality since we will have many more people attending Mass during the next couples of weekends to celebrate Christmas with us.

Today in my column I am presenting the last in the series of biographies of Saints canonized by Pope Francis on October 13, 2019. These were in the English edition of L’Osservatore Romano on October 18, 2019. This week we are looking at Saint John Henry Newman.

On Sunday, October 13, 2019, the Holy Father celebrated Mass and presided at the Rite of Canonization of five Blesseds: John Henry Newman (1801-90), Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Founder of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England; Josephine Vannini (1859-1911), Foundress of the Daughters of Saint Camillus; Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (1876-1926), Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family; Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-92), professed religious of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God; Marguerite Bays (1815-1879), lay woman and Secular Franciscan. I intend to spend the next several weeks presenting a brief biography of each of them so we can get to know these newly canonized saints. The source of the material will be the English weekly edition of L’Osservatore Romano. Today let’s look at the life of Saints Josephine Vannini and Dulce Lopes Pontes.

On Sunday, October 13, 2019, the Holy Father celebrated Mass and presided at the Rite of Canonization of five Blesseds: John Henry Newman (1801-90), Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, Founder of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in England; Josephine Vannini (1859-1911), Foundress of the Daughters of Saint Camillus; Mariam Thresia Chiramel Mankidiyan (1876-1926), Foundress of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family; Dulce Lopes Pontes (1914-92), professed religious of the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception of the Mother of God; Marguerite Bays (1815-1879), lay woman and Secular Franciscan.