Saint Mary of the Assumption
Rev. Fr. Craig R. Eilerman
Dear parishioners,
I hope that you all are doing well and despite the restraints we are under, the peace that Christ promises is yours. This week has been difficult as we hear about the increasing toll the Coronavirus is taking. The good news is that discipline of social distancing is working and is having a positive effect on lessening the spread of COVID-19.
Governor DeWine has extended the stay at home order to the end of April and the Bishops of Ohio have followed suit, extending the temporary suspension of all publicly celebrated Masses/Liturgies at least through and including Sunday May 3rd. One result of not gathering for Sunday Mass is our offertory collection is down half of what is needed to meet our weekly budget. Many of you are continuing to fulfill your pledge of support by means of Online Bill Pay, while others are mailing in their contributions to the parish office. To all of you, thank you for your support.
I also realize that some parishioners have experienced a reduction in their income or even may be receiving no income at this time. Your focus should rightfully be on ensuring your family is taken care of. Others, being out of their regular routine may not have thought about their commitment to support the parish, their weekly envelopes remaining unused. I am asking those in this latter category to continue to fulfill their commitment to support our parish. Mail in your contribution or call your bank and set up Online Bill Pay. This costs you and the parish nothing and can be done without leaving your house. It takes sacrificial support of all of us to assure that the good work done at St. Mary continues.
This is the beginning of Holy Week. A Holy Week unlike any of us have experienced before. Below and on St. Mary webpage is a schedule of the Masses and services that will be live-streamed from St. Mary of the Assumption Church and from St. Joseph Cathedral. I encourage all parishioners to the degree that they are able, to participate in Holy Week Services via these media outlets. There is also information about a Diocesan wide retreat given by Fr. Michael Kelly, which will be live streamed at www.columbuscatholic.com and broadcast on St. Gabriel radio 820 AM.
Palms will be blessed this Sunday and will be available on the front porch of the rectory Sunday afternoon, April 5 through Wednesday, April 8. I ask that you remember social distancing when you pick up the Blessed Palm, no more than one person on the porch at a time. Do not congregate. Please limit the number of palms you take ensuring that there is enough for all. Also, on the porch will be a container of Holy Water. If you wish to take some you will need to bring your own container. A good idea this year is to take some of the blessed palm and with ribbon place it on your front door as sacramental, asking God’s protection on all who live in your home.
Let us continue to pray for one another,
In Christ,
Fr. Craig Eilerman
Pastor