Bishop Solis: "Let us unite to the Cross of Christ"

Intermountain Catholic

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Greetings of peace! I pray that you are surviving well during these challenging and uncertain times. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, remembered each day as I celebrate Mass in my private chapel during these challenging times.

The coronavirus has disrupted our normal routine so that we discover what is truly essential in life. This pandemic has hampered our movements and forced us to stay home from work and other preoccupations in life. On the other hand, it has freed us to devote more time to family and loved ones, and can help us rekindle and renew relationships, provide precious moments to reflect on our life and its purpose, and to rediscover the presence and importance of God in the midst of illness, suffering and death. In these times let us find strength, courage and hope.

As we continue to address the seriousness of this deadly pandemic, the government offers us no brighter news other than reports of additional cases and the dramatic increase in the number of deaths. New directives from civil authorities and public health officials warn us that the worst is yet to come as more states now struggle to cope with the deadly effects of this infectious disease. Locally, our governor issued a new directive, “Stay Safe and Stay Home,” to emphasize the need to remain cautious as many more who are tested show positive signs of the virus infection.

Let us prepare for the coming celebration of Holy Week and Easter, mindful of the adverse circumstances we face. For this reason, the limitations we implemented a few weeks ago regarding the celebration of our worship and other liturgical practices will remain in effect. The diocesan directives, such as no liturgical celebrations in the presence of the lay faithful, are extended for Holy Week, Easter and most likely till the end of April or until further notice.

Given the continuing spread of the coronavirus disease and the restrictions placed upon all of us by the authorities, I find it necessary for our Church to respond responsively and pastorally as we serve our people spiritually, by maintaining our diocesan provisions and directives. This means that Masses will continue to be offered only privately and livestreamed in some of our parishes.  The same is true for the administration of other sacraments and other Church events.

Hence, I encourage all pastors where possible to celebrate all the Holy Week, Triduum and Easter liturgies as directed, in the absence of the lay faithful, and that these should be livestreamed so that the faithful can participate in real time in their homes and with their family. Churches will remain open at certain hours of the day for private prayer and personal visits to the Blessed Sacrament, with the availability of individual Confession as well as the Sacraments of Anointing and Viaticum in case of emergency.

In times of trials and tribulations, God always proves that he can bring something good from them. The timing of the pandemic cruelly surfaced during our celebration of the holiest time of the year. It is a time for penance and grace as we reflect on the Paschal Mystery of Christ. The sacrifices we bear remind us of the great sufferings of Christ’s passion and death. This a great occasion for us to unite ourselves to the Cross of Christ, in the hope that we will share his glory in his resurrection at Easter. Let us pray and hope that the deprivation of the Holy Eucharist and of other things we have gotten used to will be our cross to pick up and carry for a short while. 

Thanks to my brother priests for your commitment to our priestly ministry and for your creative ways of serving and providing for the spiritual needs of God’s people, and connecting our Church with the faithful in their struggles and hardships during this extraordinary time in the life of the Church. Likewise, thanks to our Catholic teachers and staff, ministers and other Church volunteers as you continue to reach out to our students and their families. We cannot thank enough the medical and health care experts who risk their lives, the daily workers who help our lives go on. Please know of our grateful appreciation for your heroic service to our community and the world.

Furthermore, I am deeply grateful to all our parishioners for your understanding, kind support and participation. We may not be able to gather together in our parishes during Holy Week and Easter, but God in his divine providence gave us digital technology to unite us spiritually and as a faith community through the livestreamed celebrations of the Holy Mass remotely and virtually. Please continue to check our diocesan website at dioslc.org, where you can watch and participate in daily Mass and the coming Holy Week and Easter services.

These are extraordinary times and we are treading in unchartered territories. Let us apply what is required of us for the safety of everyone. Follow “social distancing” but do not forget “community caring.” Share the love of Christ with each other, especially the poor and those in need. Our Church remains open to serve as we are allowed to do, so please send your Sunday offerings to your parishes and missions so as to help maintain our mission, the life of our local Church.

May God in his love and mercy, through the intercession of our Blessed Mother and the saints, help us stay united as one faith family, remain watchful in prayer, and find healing for those who have contracted the disease. May he bless us with courage, hope and peace.

The Most Rev. Oscar A. Solis

Bishop of Salt Lake City