Sacred Heart is located in downtown Tampa, a short distance from Tampa General Hospital, the West Central Florida area’s regional trauma and ICU hospital. As you might imagine there are any number of associated medical facilities, offices, and clinics located within a mile or two of the Davis Islands located main facility. Continue reading
It is ironic and odd that the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord follows on the heels of the announcement of Tampa’s stay-at-home order. But wonderfully graced that we have the opportunity to let “Announcement” inform the other.
Today we celebrate the scene in which the Angel Gabriele comes to Mary to announce she will be the mother of Emmanuel, “God with us.” Words we need to hold close to our heart and memory in the looming shadow of the pandemic.
My friend, Fr. Bill McConville OFM, notes that part of the church’s art tradition is that the scene of the Annunciation often portrays Mary, not empty-handed, but holding a book or a scroll, her reading and reflecting on Scripture being interrupted by the angel’s pronouncement. The tradition is that she is meditating on Isaiah 7 (today’s first reading) in which there is the promise that a virgin will bear a child. Continue reading
The Other Side of the Virus,Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear. Continue reading
This afternoon in the city of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor plans to issue a “stay-at-home” order in response to the growing incidences of virus cases locally and statewide. We were not the first to issue such an order nor will we be the last.
In its own way, it is as though each family is being sent into exile away from so much of they know as familiar: work, recreation, grandkids, grandparents, gathering places where community is formed, church, and more. Consider a week during the “old normal” and list out all the places you went but now can no longer go. Perhaps that is a glimpse into a limited exile. Continue reading
In a previous post I noted that there are almost nothing on my calendar, things I had to do. Yesterday I discovered there is a very low correlation between what is on my calendar and things that come up and have to get addressed in short order. Yesterday was a very long day.
Here in Tampa, the city, county and state are all considering whether to issue a “stay at home” order as have states such as California, New York, New Jersey and others. A lot of people don’t realize that Florida is now the 3rd most populous state, so the decision is pretty critical. Continue reading
What a difference a day makes. Wednesday, I woke up with a full day of ministry awaiting. Lots of people calling, emailing – all asking “Are we going to shut down? Will the Bishop suspend Masses? What’s going to happen now?” Today I awake wondering what I will do with all the time on my hands. Not that there aren’t a lot of things to do, but the rhythm of the day is changed. Changed dramatically. What a difference a day makes.
It made a difference for the man born blind. One day was all it took, and he had to figure out how to live in a world that was completely new to him. What a difference a day makes. The rhythms of his life dramatically altered needing to figure out what to do with the time given.
Here we are celebrating a live stream Mass as are many churches and chapels across this country and the globe. The rhythms of our life are changing. Today for sure. Tomorrow…? Who knows, it is will be a new world perhaps. Continue reading
It was only a matter of time. Today, Bishop Gregory Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg followed suite with all the bishops of Florida, joining the other Catholic dioceses in suspending all Masses until further notice.
I celebrated the noon Mass today – the last public Mass in the parish until “who knows when.” My amazing Communications Director (Pam Ferron) and her team spent the afternoon making sure all the ministry leaders, faith formation programs, scheduled meetings, and more – all received texts and emails about this momentous change. Thank you.
In today first reading for the Memorial of St. Patrick we read “Beloved: Be serious and sober-minded so that you will be able to pray. Above all, let your love for one another be intense, because love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace… whoever serves, let it be with the strength that God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:7-11)
It struck me that this is a good and appropriate message for these times of life with covid-19. A simple message: be serious and sober-minded. Hopefully the reality of this pandemic is sinking deeper into our consciousness and perspectives. And at the same time, we remember our Christian call to love, serve and pray. Continue reading
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