Click HERE to view the Mass with Fr. Clooeney

Greetings,

Below find the link to my homily for this Sunday, January 24, the 3^rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Once again, as last week, the theme of vocation comes to the fore – in a familiar Gospel scene, the call of the first disciples, but most interestingly in the odd and memorable story of Jonah, the unwilling but very successful prophet. He prayed in the belly of a whale and spoke powerful words of repentance in the great city of Nineveh. Pope Francis calls us on this Sunday to meditate on the gift of the Word of God – may we let God’s Word become our word too, in a world in need of good news.
Finally, this week has been the Octave for Christian Unity (Jan 18-25), a time for prayer for great unity, collaboration, and spiritual exchange among all Christian traditions. Let us pray that our many communities find ways to walk together more closely, in these troubled times.

~Fr. Clooney 

As we begin a new year, I want to offer my thanks to the staff, and many volunteers for the work they have done in 2020, keeping us connected in difficult circumstances. Their commitment, hard work, creativity and willingness to lead is a gift to all of us. The parish office, Faith Formation, the Parish Council and the many commissions have been active and involved in meeting the challenges that our situation presented. The music ministry under Daesik Cha and the many members of the choir, I think you will agree, made Christmas Mass, though different, something very special. The most visits we have had prior for video Mass was in the 250 range. When we took it down on Saturday, we had 720 visits and that doesn't include those who tuned in on Sharon TV.

I mention this because Christmas Mass is such a signature event in our liturgical life. There were so many other events that reached smaller audiences but are essential to our life as a faith community. They called forth the kind of leadership and caring from the staff and volunteers that make us the community we are.Thank you again to all and a blessed New Year as we move toward better health and the joy of being together again.

~ Fr Frank

Many months ago, we decided not to offer in-person Masses immediately after the state gave the go ahead in phase one. A small church building with sealed windows made smaller with the requirements of forty percent capacity and social distance offered elevated risk given the levels of Covid-19 at that time.

In June, we offered Mass outside until the heat on the blacktop became a problem and we moved inside of O’Connell hall where all windows open provided a level of ventilation not available in the Church. Eventually we got the windows open in the church and began in-person Masses there.

All of this took place when the disease indicators were significantly less than they are now. At the moment, they all seem to be going in the wrong direction. Today we have a much higher level of risk.

After consulting the parish council, the staff, parishioners with medical expertise and the Archdiocese, I have decided to pause in-person Masses effective immediately. Unless something changes dramatically, this will include in-person Christmas Masses. There is no date certain for resuming. That will depend on conditions improving to levels that lower the risk.

This is a difficult decision. For all of us, the Eucharist in community with each other is a precious gift at the heart of what it means to be Catholic. We will continue to offer Video Mass available each week on the parish website and Sharon TV. Although this is a less than perfect alternative, the number of people who watch the video Mass and a recent survey of parishioners indicates that it offers a time of prayer and a faith connection to our community that they value: perhaps even a bridge until we can be together as a community of faith again.

Let our prayers for each other be that spiritual bridge also, especially as we offer a prayer for Spiritual Communion.

My Jesus, 
I love you above all things and I desire to receive you into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if you were already there and unite myself wholly to you.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.

~ Fr. Frank

There are many service opportunities this holiday season. Please click HERE to see what ways you can help your community. 

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts with us through our OLOS Survey: Embracing Our Faith as We Navigate COVID.  As of November 19^th, we’ve had 75 people who responded to all or part of the survey: 52% from parishioners in the 55-74 age range, 33.33% from those 35-54, 7% from those over 75 years old and 6% from those 18-34 and 1.45% from those under 18. 

What would you most like from the parish at this time:

• 57% of you indicated that you are looking for OLOS to offer COVID Safe Service Projects
• 43% are interested in Virtual Adult Faith Formation Presentations and Discussions
• 30% would like to see Virtual Social Events and Programs and 30% also would like to see more Women’s Spirituality Groups
• 23% are interested in a Virtual Rosary Group
• 22% Virtual Book Groups
• 20% Virtual Bible Classes
• 7% Personal Outreach from the parish

As you can see from the new Parish Newsletter, many of these programs are in the works.   All of the specific suggestions are being shared with the full OLOS staff and the Parish Pastoral Council.

Several parishioners asked about finding ways of providing communion to parishioners.  The staff will consider what options would work at OLOS. 

The feedback about the virtual Masses we have offered is overwhelmingly positive.  Specific comments were made about the quality of the music and the homilies.  For many of us seeing the inside of the church and familiar faces in presiders, cantors and lectors brings comfort in this time of uncertainty.   “We appreciate very much the thoughtful homilies and the well-selected arrangements of liturgical music, as well as the concluding Bach organ solo. We also appreciate the ethnic inclusivity of liturgical ministers.”
“Seeing and hearing the familiar does bring comfort and a sense of being together. The cantors, lectors, FR. Frank, Frank, and Gerry, Daesik..……to hear Daesik play post recessional for music is a gift beyond our words.”

If you haven’t responded and would like to share your thoughts, please contact the parish office at parish@olossharon.org or 781-784-2265. 

Stay connected to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish throughout the week for the latest news and announcements. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter and each week you'll receive news and information, including some that just doesn't fit in the bulletin.

Click HERE to view our Annual Report.

All are welcome to join our Zoom Bible Study on Wednesday from 10am to 11am. 
The group, which meets weekly, includes and welcomes sisters and brothers of other faiths. Our examination of the biblical text honors the bible in both the Hebrew and Christian traditions.We are currently reading Exodus.

For more information email Lynn Jacobs at the parish office at ljacobs@olossharon.org.

9-22-2020