Father Joe Cisetti

For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in him
but also to suffer for him. - Philippians 1:29
 
Dear Friends:
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All of the sudden families are finding themselves with a lot a family time on their hands. This can be a great blessing as you spend time together. Let’s be honest though, it can also be a time of some stress that can call for a good deal of patience.
 
While this certainly affords the time for some shared family prayer which I wholeheartedly encourage, I also encourage people in the midst of all this to stop and have some fun with their children. Play a board game, cards or watch a wholesome program together on television.
 
Pope Francis has shared that sometimes while hearing confessions, he will ask parents, do you ever waste time with your children. To waste some time with one’s children, to simply do something for the fun of it, can create a wonderful memory for them. I would add that “wasting time” with your children will be time well spent.
 
The same can hold true for husbands and wives. Perhaps this is an opportunity to “waste some time” together. Again, this will be time well spent.
 
This also holds true for prayer, when we seem “to waste time” with God. That too is time well spent.
 
Another idea is to call, Facetime or Skype with friends and relatives, especially elderly ones who find it even harder to get out.
 
There are a number of us, myself included, who live alone. This too is an opportunity for us, not just for prayer but for reaching out to others. Just this afternoon I was able to call one my cousins in Italy where the situation is much worse.
 
I don’t know how long this will last but I am already sad knowing that I won’t see people at Mass this weekend. Father Randy, Father Andrew and I continue to celebrate daily Mass privately and remember all of you. We hope to have some prayer resources posted soon. Let us continue to bear this cross together, and let even what we are suffering become a type of prayer.
 
With continued prayers,
 
Father Joe Cisetti
Pastor

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