St. Mary of the Presentation Catholic Church

Pastor's Corner

A Message from Father Emmanuel:

September 1, 2020

Dearly Beloved,

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

In this time of debilitating anxieties due to the COVID-19, we are bewildered by the pandemic raging like a storm. As we continue to collaborate with the Diocese and the State Health Authorities, we must encourage one another to observe all protocols to ensure our safety. Our Parish, St. Mary’s, is meticulously sterilized always, and your safety is our primary concern. Live-streaming Masses are on-going, and we entreat you to join us from your homes to continue to pray and nurture the faith. We are doing our best to keep our church ministries and programs on-going, and we will open the church doors for your private adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayer.

Let us observe Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation by joining the live-streaming Masses, reading the Scriptures of the day, and asking God for the graces we would normally receive in the Eucharist. Please, pray the rosary daily and pray for all of us.

The parish subscribes to “The Word Among Us” for daily meditations and prayer. Take a copy from the vestibule of the church. We take copies to our Care Facilities.

I exhort you to pray for the intentions of our parishioners, the sick, and the dying. Let us pray for families impacted by COVID-19, our hard-working front-liners, and researchers working night and day to find a vaccine.

I wish to thank our indefatigable staff and devoted volunteers who work hard and contribute greatly towards the upkeep of the church. We encourage others to come and help. We also need volunteers to attend to our seniors in need of accessing groceries, going for medical appointments, and other necessities at this difficult time. There has been a request from a senior recently.

We have all been impacted by the pandemic, but we must endeavor to serve and support each other.

I wish to extend my sincere gratitude to all of you fulfilling the offertory giving obligations. We encourage others to try and honor this important Christian duty to support our Parish and the Diocese. You may drop your offertory at the office or use the facility of e-giving on our parish website www.stmarysuffolk.org

Sadly, COVID-19 has limited my ability to minister to you physically as I would want to, yet I am with you and praying for you, your families, and your dear ones. I am, however, available for pastoral care visitations. I am also available for confessions by appointment besides our regular confession schedule on Saturday evenings (4:00 pm- 5:00 pm). You can contact me through the office phone or the Rectory (Emergency) phone. Ministry facilitators have my cell phone number.

Please be assured of my unflinching solidarity and solicitude as your pastor at this time of anxiety due to restrictions, isolation, financial, and health issues. We believe in the Power of the Cross of Jesus and the Resurrection, and what our Lord can do for us when all seem lost.

I am so grateful for your concern for me personally, your prayers, and assistance. I thank God for his graces and guidance which are more than enough to enable me to lead you as Pastor.

Let us keep on entrusting the Nation, Diocese, and Parish to Our Lord and the maternal intercession of Our Lady, St Mary of the Presentation, the Health of the Sick.

May we be strengthened in faith, hope, and charity in the Lord.

Blessings,

Fr Emmanuel T. Mensah