Dearly Beloved,
The celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the promise of salvation is a special source of joy and hope during these challenging times.
As we approach Easter and our celebration of the Holy Triduum, we write to express our profound admiration for the many ways that you are witnessing to Christ in the current pandemic.SINSINAWA — All programming at and visits to Sinsinawa Mound, the Motherhouse for the Dominican Sisters of Sinsinawa, are further suspended until Monday, June 15, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This includes visits to Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery and attendance at religious services.
Programs that are rescheduled can be found on the Sinsinawa Mound Center website, www.sinsinawa.org/moundcenter
Sinsinawa Bakery remains open for online ordering at www.sinsinawa.org/bakery and Sinsinawa Book & Gift Gallery is available for online purchases at www.sinsinawa.org/giftgalleryMADISON — Adapting how it serves, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul-Madison continues to help thousands of Dane County neighbors in need each week, even in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic.
At the Society’s Madison service center, the large and busy St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Wisconsin’s only free pharmacy have both adapted to observe guidelines to help protect the health of all involved while assisting large numbers of people coping with poverty.This Easter will be one like no other with the restrictions on public Masses and gatherings.
We will not be at church on Easter morning, we will not receive Holy Communion, and we will not be visiting friends and relatives.
It will feel strange and incomplete, but Easter will arrive, just the same. |
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Needless to say, this global pandemic is unprecedented in our history, especially in terms of its impact on our daily lives. The consequences of our essential shutdown as a nation are far reaching and disturbing.
We are all praying for the victims worldwide — those who have died, those who are ill and suffering the effects of this corona virus. We pray for health care workers, first responders, and government leaders who must feel overwhelmed. I pray for our elderly and vulnerable populations, including the poor and the homeless. I pray for those who have lost income already and are economically struggling. We think of families who have their children home all the time. All of this equates to tremendous stress, anxiety, suffering, and fear.
In the face of all of this, God is inviting us to a deeper, radical trust in Him. In some ways, with our normal routines disrupted and many of our securities stripped away, we are faced with a profound existential moment — do I truly believe in God and confide my life to His mercy or not?
Our whole life of faith and practice of our religion has prepared us for this trial. Now is the time for us to truly let our faith in the Lord shine forth for others to see and draw strength from our witness. In some ways, with the suspension of public Masses, this time reminds me of the Babylonian captivity in the Old Testament.