Holy Rosary Parish

March 26, 2020

To the devout and  faithful People of God of Holy Rosary Parish, Greetings in Christ!

This is a very deep Lent. It is one thing when our fasting extends to fasting from sports and entertainment.  It is another, far more shocking thing, when our fasting extends to fasting from public Divine Worship and from the Most Holy Eucharist.  Our emotional reactions are bound to be varied and even erratic, with fear, sorrow and anger all claiming some time. Even now, however, the Lord’s promise holds “I am with you all days, even to the end of the Age”.  At a lower level, a fast from sports and entertainment can help us appreciate them more when they return. At a higher level, a fast from public Divine Worship can help us realize how wonderful it is to be able to praise God together, and be more eager to do so.  A fast from the Holy Eucharist can, God aiding, help correct our tendency to receive the Most Holy Sacrament casually. My late uncle Emilio (to the end of his life, though, everyone called him “Nino”) used to say “You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it”.  My late Father often repeated that sentence. May our temporary loss of Holy Communion cause to know more powerfully how wonderful is the Gift and how great the Giver!

The Parish Staff and I will be in touch with you, through letters, the bulletin, this website, the Parish Facebook page, and to some degree through telephone.  To prevent public gatherings at this highly sensitive time, there can be no public celebrations of the Sacraments. I am offering the Holy Sacrifice daily for all of you, however, as well as the Prayers and Praises of the Liturgy of the Hours.  I will unlock the church at 8:00 every morning and lock it again at 8:00 every evening. During that time, please come and pray individually.

If you do come to the church to pray individually, there are some rules that you should follow, for the common good.

1.  Stay home if you are sick.

2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds before coming, or use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, being careful to cover your entire hand.

3. Don’t touch surfaces more than you truly need to.

4. Maintain a distance of six feet from anyone else who might be present.

During this time when public Masses are suspended, we are, of course, not taking up offertory collections.  Since bills and payroll are not suspended, I ask, respectfully, that you consider making some kind of offering, as you are able, to assist the Parish.  You can make your contribution online by clicking the SUPPORT button on the parish website, with your phone using the Abundant Giving app, or mail in your collection envelope.  I will be most grateful for any support you are able to offer. I understand that many of you are facing your own financial difficulties at this time. Join me at least in daily prayer for all the people of Lander and of Holy Rosary Parish!

We are all in the same boat.  There is Another in the boat with us, who has power to calm the raging waters.  He said to St. Peter “Fear is useless! What is needed is trust.” So it was, and so it is.  Be not afraid, and trust in the Lord.

May our almighty Lord Jesus Christ, Who has united our hearts in spiritual affection, unite us also forever in His Kingdom;  and, not entering into judgement with us, His servants, may He supply, far beyond our merits, every Grace of which we stand in need.

Amen.

Fr. James Schumacher

At the request of the Diocese of Cheyenne, public worship at Holy Rosary Church has been suspended at this time. The church will remain open, but people are to plan no gathering there.

Daily Mass can be watched in English and in Spanish on The CatholicTV Network, and the Pope's Mass is available through The Catholic Faith Network. Daily readings can be found at the USCCB website in both print and audio format.

"The Mystery of the Cross:" Homily for the Sixth Sunday of Lent
Short Reflection on the Readings for the Sixth Sunday of Lent
"Sad, But Never Gloomy:" Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Short Reflection on the Readings for the Fifth Sunday of Lent
"David and Saint Patrick:" Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

Dear families,

As we approach the holiest week in the Christian year, I thought these additional resources might be helpful in your own preparations.  

Last week I recommended setting aside a place in your home as a prayer corner.  Here is some more information on how that could be done; there are additional resources here.

A dear friend in the diocese of South Bend, IN also collected some of the best online aids for celebrating Holy Week at home.  It's an awesome compilation!  Find it here.

Joe Wotawa here in our own diocese recommended this and reminded us that lessons from the textbooks we use are available for free from Ignatius Press here.  Sophia Press also has a page of resources here.

And finally, another old friend shared the amazing map (here) that her father made for his Confirmation class.  It traces Jesus' steps through Jerusalem.

I hope you find some of these helpful!  Keep checking the parish website for updates and encouragement from Father James and others in the community.  And don't hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns or additional resources your own families have discovered.  God keep you!

-Sarah Susanka/Mrs. S.

Mailing address

P.O. Box 1047
Lander, WY 82520

Parish Office (Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 12:30pm)

Phone: 307-332-4952
Fax: 307-332-6141
Email: EShields4HR@gmail.com

To Schedule a Marriage, Baptism or funeral, or to request Anointing of the Sick, please call the office.