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Last week, Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, made a rather interesting theological observation.
Commenting on the progress that his state has made in fighting the coronavirus, and praising the concrete efforts of medical personnel and ordinary citizens, he said, “The number is down because we brought the number down. God did not do that. Faith did not do that.”
During the coronavirus pandemic, many Catholic parishes throughout the country have experienced a decline in weekly collections.
The coronavirus is not a punishment from God. It is not a severe chastisement dealt to a world that in so many ways sins against the Almighty — by ignoring his commandments and teachings.
On March 16, I was taken unconscious to University Hospital in Madison, suffering from heart, kidney, and lung failure.
I still don’t remember my first two days in the hospital. When I regained consciousness, I was shocked to find myself in the ICU with tubes connecting me with life-support systems.
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I have lived in Santa Barbara, Calif., for the past four years. In that brief time, my neighbors and I have experienced a number of real tragedies.
Just over two years ago, the terrible Thomas Fire broke out in my pastoral region, in the vicinity of Thomas Aquinas College (hence the name).
For a frightening month it made its devastating way from Santa Paula through Ventura, Carpenteria, Montecito, and eventually commenced to devour the foliage on the hills just north of my home.
The Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa invite the public to worship with them virtually as they pray and celebrate the Paschal Feast by livestreaming the following services:
• Palm Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m.
• Holy Thursday, April 9, 6:15 p.m.
• Good Friday, April 10, 2 p.m.
• Easter Vigil, April 11, 7 p.m.
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Blaise Pascal said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from man’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
The great 17th Century philosopher thought that most of us, most of the time, distract ourselves from what truly matters through a series of divertissements (diversions).
He was speaking from experience. Though one of the brightest men of his age and one of the pioneers of the modern physical sciences and of computer technology, Pascal frittered away a good deal of his time through gambling and other trivial pursuits.Sinsinawa Mound is closed to the public and all programs, events, concerts, prayer services, meetings, tours, and retreats have been canceled effective immediately through at least April 15.
Because of COVID-19, Edgewood College informed students, faculty, and staff by email on March 11 that it was suspending face-to-face classes effective Monday, March 23.
To diminish the spread of the COVID-19 virus, or the Coronavirus, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison is issuing a decree, dispensing everyone in the Diocese of Madison from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation until further notice from the bishop.
This means that all Catholics are permitted to miss Mass on Sundays for the foreseeable future, without being concerned that they are neglecting their minimal duties to assist at Mass.
In a statement, Bishop Hying said, “This is not to say that the faithful are prohibited from attending Mass — no one is obligated to use this dispensation. However, it is encouraged that everyone takes seriously this dispensation and take liberal advantage of it, keeping in mind also the recommendation from the Wisconsin Department of Health to avoid large community gatherings — particularly large intergenerational gatherings — at this time. In a particular way, we encourage the elderly and those who are immunocompromised not to attend Mass.