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MARCH 22, 2020

Message from Father Manning:

03/25/2020

Here is another prayer announcement from Pope Francis:

“On the day in which many Christians recall the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary of the Incarnation of the Word, may the Lord be able to hear the unanimous prayer of all His disciples that are preparing to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ. With this same intention, next Friday, March 27 at 6:00 pm, I will preside over a moment of prayer in the courtyard of St. Peter’s Basilica, with the empty Square. From now on I invite all to take part spiritually through the means of communication. We will listen to the Word of God, we will elevate our prayer, we will adore the Most Blessed Sacrament, with which at the end I will give the Urbi et Orbi Blessing, to which will be annexed the possibility to receive a Plenary Indulgence."

This prayer will be streamed from Vatican News at 1pm Ohio time (6pm in Rome).

03/25/2020

Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation which commemorates the announcement from the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would be the mother of the Son of God. On this occasion, Pope Francis has asked Christians worldwide to storm heaven with the Lord’s Prayer today at noon, as a way of asking God to end the suffering caused by COVID-19. Our Holy Father has stated:

“I invite all the heads of churches and the leaders of all the Christian communities, together with all the Christians of the various confessions, to invoke the Most High, Almighty God, reciting contemporaneously the prayer that Jesus Our Lord taught us. I invite all, therefore, to do so several times a day, but, all together, to recite the Our Father next Wednesday, March 25, at midday — all together.”

The act itself is simple: the recitation of a prayer that most of us say on a daily basis. However, the symbol of our uniting together in Christ during this tragic time should inspire us all! Let us never forget the power of prayer!

03/23/2020

Following the Stay at Home order issued yesterday by the Ohio Department of Health, Archbishop Schnurr has provided pastors with updated guidance in regards to prayer and sacraments in this time of public health concern:

1. To the extent possible, churches should remain open for private prayer. Those who come are to maintain social distancing of more than six feet in any direction at all times. There is to be no organized prayer or public recitation which might draw a crowd (e.g. Rosary, Stations of the Cross).
2. Individual confession remains the ordinary way of celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, subject to the pastor’s discretion. Please call the parish office to make an appointment (937-557-1711 opt #1).
3. Private Mass may continue to be live-streamed; this is strongly encouraged! Accordingly, weekend Mass will continue to be streamed via Facebook Live from St. Mary at 10:00am on Sundays, and the broadcast will be made available for replay from our parish website. The church is closed to the public during this time.

In the spirit of the governor’s order, parish staff should work from home to the extent possible. Therefore, parish office hours have been suspended. Please call the parish office with urgent requests (937-557-1711 opt #1).

In conjunction, our schedule for private prayer at St. Mary and St. Augustine has been updated as follows:  

Note: Although the doors of the church will be locked during private prayer times, just ring the doorbell for admittance.

“In these days of trial, while humanity trembles at the threat of the pandemic, I would like to propose to all Christians to unite their voices to heaven...May the Lord hear the unanimous prayer of all his disciples who are preparing to celebrate the victory of the Risen Christ.” - Pope Francis

Coming soon! (Spring 2020)    

Catechetical sessions are held on Thursday evenings - start any time!