Reminder: Old-timers should carefully consider ducking out of Masses if they are "at risk" -- however that's defined.  Be prudent; bring those hand wipes; keep your distance; don't breathe on others (but remember to breathe).  The priest is the only guy distributing Communion and he's highly trained in delivery systems.  Let's continue to use common sense.  You're doing very well. 

The Tragedy of Neglecting Comedy -- by Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky:  If you like the comedy of Lenin, Stalin, Mao, and Castro, you’ll love life under today’s so-called progressives:  https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2020/06/26/the-tragedy-of-neglecting-comedy/

Mortality facts --  The Guttmacher Institute estimates that approximately 17,210 abortions took place in Virginia during 2017. So far, there are just short of 1,620 deaths from COVID-19 in Virginia.  Let's keep unborn babies socially distant from Planned Parenthood clinics.

Shelby Foote and "the Great Compromise" (useful in view of the recent troubles): https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/unwritten-rules-and-great-compromise/

Thanks to all the benefactors who supported the Bishop's Lenten Appeal.  Because of your generosity, the Parish contributed $318,000.  The donations topped the $310,000 goal.  Congratulations and may God reward you.

Do you wonder why I'm confused?:  Thehealth experts at the World Health Organization (WHO) sayheathy people should only wear masks if they are taking care of someone with COVID-19 or coughing or sneezing or under a few other circumstances. 

When coming to Mass this weekend, help yourself to the missalettes and bring them home with you (and bring them with you when you attend Mass).  Don't leave them in the pews.  I guess these things are contagious.  So think of your missalette as radioactive, except when you handle it.

President Trump’s July 2017 speech in Poland: Through four decades of communist rule, Poland and the other captive nations of Europe endured a brutal campaign to demolish freedom.… And when the day came on June 2nd, 1979, and one million Poles gathered around Victory Square for their very first Mass with their Polish Pope, that day, every communist in Warsaw must have known that their oppressive system would soon come crashing down. They must have known it at the exact moment during Pope John Paul II’s sermon when a million Polish men, women, and children suddenly raised their voices in a single prayer. A million Polish people did not ask for wealth. They did not ask for privilege. Instead, one million Poles sang three simple words: “We Want God.”

In those words, the Polish people recalled the promise of a better future. They found new courage to face down their oppressors…. We can still hear those voices that echo through history. Their message is as true today as ever. The people of Poland, the people of America, and the people of Europe still cry out “We want God.”

 Please pray for a happy resolution to the hysterical obsession of the month, whatever it might be.

Scam texts and emails continue.  Please be careful.

"Prayer and communion are not to be made or desired for the sake of the devotion we feel in them, for that is seeking self, and not God; but we must be frequent in both the one and the other in order to become humble, obedient, gentle, and patient."-- Saint Philip Neri

Thank you, Mr. President: The President and Mrs. Trump visited the John Paul II National Shrine to both commemorate Pope Saint John Paul II’s 100th birthday two weeks ago and the 41st anniversary of the modern-day saint’s historic Mass at Victory Square in Warsaw.

Phil Lawler on the topic: https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/baffling-and-reprensible/

Folks, the weekend Masses went very well, even without sacred music.  Keep up the good work.  We'll keep the schedule in place.

From the Chancery:  Below are the links (English and Spanish) to the videos being posted today on the diocesan website to help the faithful know what to expect when returning to Mass and receiving Communion during this phase of re-opening.  Please share with your parishioners in the best manner you see fit.

English: https://youtu.be/igaLQTf1ONQ

 Is Catholicism an ideology?  Father Pokorsky: 

https://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/is-catholicism-ideology/

Scholars Claim Jesus Actually Told Lepers 'Stay Home, Save Lives’ https://babylonbee.com/news/scholars-claim-jesus-actually-told-lepers-stay-home-save-lives

President Trump on May 22:  TRUMP: "Some governors have deemed liquor stores & abortion clinics essential, but have left out churches ... it's not right. So I am correcting this injustice & am calling houses of worship essential. I call upon governors to allow churches & places of worship to open right now"

On Friday Governor Northam opened Virginia Beach for the weekend with the following order, “If people swarm these beaches and ignore social distancing rules or the regulations the city has put into place, I will not hesitate to reinstate Phase 1 restrictions or even close the beach outright if necessary.” On Saturday Governor Ralph Northam was seen out at Virginia Beach. The governor was walking around without a mask in a crowd. He was not concerned about social distancing.

Folks, as many of you know, the Bishop has permitted the celebration of Communion services (outside of Mass) for gatherings that do not exceed ten. On Sunday, I celebrated five such services.  While I do not have objections to the practice on a very short-term basis, here are my thoughts on its dangers:

FRC Releases New Publication Showing Extent of Radical Sex Education in Schools School Districts Devoting as much as 70 hours of Classroom Time to Sexualizing Children

WASHINGTON, D.C. --Family Research Council released a new publication today titled "Sex Education in Public Schools: Sexualization of Children and LGBT Indoctrination." It outlines the radical changes that have occurred in the way sex education is taught in America's public schools, and why parents should be concerned: 

• Teaching kids how to consent to sex/"how to" sex workshops.
• "Fake Abstinence"--abstinence until your next steady boy/girlfriend.
• Secret abortions: your parents never have to know.
• Students pressured to declare themselves LGBT "allies."
• Same-sex role playing.
• Teaching children they could be born in the wrong body.

Cathy Ruse, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Human Dignity at Family Research Council, who authored the publication, wrote:

"Well-funded international pressure groups have been extraordinarily successful in pushing agenda-driven curricula that sexualizes children and promotes a 'sexual rights' ideology among youth. School systems are devoting significant classroom time to these programs--70 classroom hours per child in some cases--even while American public schools are failing to fulfill their core mission.

"Today's sex ed lessons can be highly manipulative--carefully designed to get children to approve of the concept of sexual rights and fluid sexual 'identities,' and to reject their religious beliefs, the authority of their parents, and even physical reality itself.

"Even if parents identify problematic lessons in sex ed and manage to opt their kids out, that won't protect them from sex propaganda appearing elsewhere in school, such as in the halls, in history class, on the calendar, and in the library.

"As parents, we should insist on the best for our children. Demanding risk avoidance-based sex ed, filing universal opt-out letters annually, and attending school board meetings are proactive ways that parents can let their schools know that they are informed, they are watching, and they are prepared to act," concluded Ruse.

To read the full publication, visit: https://www.frc.org/sexeducation.

See Family Research Council's universal opt-out letter .

There was a time when trust in God’s Providence was part of the cultural fabric of America. Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson wrote (with a hint of Calvinistic theology), “[M]y religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to be always ready, no matter when it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and then all would be equally brave.” It’s usually more reasonable to hide behind a stone wall when bullets fly, rather than stand like a stone wall. But not if one hopes to win the battle. Our battle is for eternal life which forever will take the way of the Cross. Trust in Divine Providence.  But keep using those hand wipes, etc.  And older folks with health conditions should certainly stay put (don't come to Mass) until this thing blows over.