March 19, 2023

Dear Friends in Christ,

One of the ways I find myself describing this point in time is to call it “Post COVID.” We are slowly but surely returning to some of the measures of church life that were impacted by the COVID pandemic when it hit us in March 2020. The most important sign of our recovery as a Catholic Community is the return of many of our parishioners to more regular participation in weekend Masses. We’re making progress in this regard, but as always I encourage everyone to make this a “Habit of the heart” and to invite family and friends to join us for Mass.

This weekend we experience another return to pre-COVID Catholic Life with an Engaged Encounter Retreat that will take place at St. Bridget’s. Some 30 couples engaged to be married will spend all day Saturday and much of Sunday reflecting on the various aspects of living the Sacrament of Marriage. We are honored that they will be joining us for Mass on Sunday morning.

This retreat allows me to offer my encouragement to the couples in our parish who are engaged to be married, and to those living the life of marriage which usually includes the raising of a family through children, grandchildren, and in my family now, great-grandchildren. Even more specifically I want to offer my encouragement to folks in the following categories:

• Couples who are engaged, but not necessarily planning to celebrate their marriage in the church. Destination weddings are increasingly popular, but I am glad to help you celebrate your marriage in the church, even in a smaller, simpler ceremony before the big celebration you are planning.

 

• Marriage is a personal decision, and there are Catholics who celebrate their marriage outside of the church. If this is how your marriage began, I would be glad to talk with you about con-validating or blessing your marriage in the church. This is a beautiful way to renew your commitment! 

• If you have a previous marriage that ended in divorce, I am glad to talk with you about what’s available to help you be free to marry in the church. The process is not as overwhelming as you might think.

Blessings to all those called to live the commitment of marriage!

Fr. William Heric, Pastor