A year later…

Wow, I cannot believe it! It has been a year since the pandemic started.   I wonder what have we learned from living through Covid-19?  Certainly, a lot has changed.  Some people say we are living in the new normal – from gatherings, to travels, holidays, work, and even the way we attend church services.

Although it is still very challenging despite the vaccine, I am sure we have also learned new things as we continue to live through these uncertain times.  We have appreciated the gift of social media.  Through the help of modern technology there has been a sense of normalcy. We are able to reach and stay in touch with family members. Work is able to be done from home.  Gatherings of all sorts are possible because of the different facets of technology.  And we are able to worship every Sunday by live streaming our gathering.

The pandemic showed the power of collaboration to create solutions quickly. This is so evident in our community of Holy Spirit.  I’d like to highlight and thank the many volunteers we have. Without these men and women, Church gathering could have even more challenging.  These volunteers work together in ensuring the safety and the comfort of our parishioners.  Putting up the tent, setting up the chairs, pushing and moving tables, sanitizing the things we use, checking in and ushering people, decorating the worship space, and many more.

I am also grateful for your flexibility and understanding especially when the indoor and outdoor gatherings became very unpredictable.  Yet, you all went along with whatever was asked of you.  Although wearing masks in not the most comfortable, you all continue to do it because you know it is for the common good.

Some of you have approached me expressing your sentiments that this must have been difficult for me as a new and incoming pastor because I am unable to know most of you personally.  That is true.  But I must say that I have been the most fortunate incoming pastor.  You all have been very gracious and kind in welcoming me to the parish.  The warmth of your love made me feel so much at home so quickly that in just a few months I no longer  felt so “new” to this community. Until now, I continue to be amazed by your generosity, faithfulness and commitment. The Spirit is indeed alive and present in our community always ready to be of service to one another.

A year has come and gone and we continue to struggle with the pandemic.  Many things have changed, but there is one thing that hasn’t and that is the love of God for us.   It is the love of God that sustains us.  It is the love of God that keeps us going.  It is the love of God that strengthens us.  As Saint Paul says in his Letter to the Romans: “What will separate us from the love of Christ? Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword? No, in all these things we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things,^* nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, [nor the pandemic] nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”