SAINT AGNES CHURCH Iglesia de Santa Inés
Weiser, Idaho
PARISH LETTER April 19, 2020—2nd Sunday of Easter of Divine Mercy
Let us pray:
God of everlasting mercy, who in the very recurrence of the paschal feast kindle the faith of the people you have made your own, increase, we pray, the grace you have bestowed, that all may grasp and rightly understand in what font they have been washed, by whose Spirit they have been reborn, by whose Blood they have been redeemed. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (
Roman Missal, Collect, 2nd Sunday of Easter)
BISHOP PETER’S LETTER: Yesterday, Thursday, Bishop Peter Christensen sent a letter to the parishes. The Bishop writes,
In our Gospel reading on Easter Sunday from St. Matthew, we heard that Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were “fearful yet overjoyed,” as they left the tomb on that first Easter morning. We can certainly relate to that duality of fear and joy as we continue to experience these uncertain times. Despite apprehensions we all will normally experience, this is also a time for us to be joyful in the certainty of the Resurrection and the certainty that our Church—and your parish—will “rise up” from this present situation, perhaps even stronger in faith than before.
While last Sunday we read about both fear and joy, this Sunday, Divine Mercy Sunday, we will read about peace as St. John recounts the appearance of the Resurrected Lord to His frightened followers who were “self-isolating” in a locked room. Jesus’ first words to them were, “Peace be with you.”. . . Christ’s peace remains with us even in the face of a pandemic!
THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER has been extended by Governor Little through April 30
th. So, Bishop Christensen has directed that the
suspension of all public worship services be also extended through April 30th.
Nonetheless, the Bishop has given permission to open once again the churches during the day time to allow private visits and prayer by the faithful. So, beginning tomorrow, Saturday, April 18
th, St. Agnes Church will be open each day from approximately
8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for private prayer. Please do not “gather,” and exercise proper “social distancing” while in the Church.
CONFESSION: The Bishop has also given permission for the resumption of the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession), provided the proper “social distancing” is observed and
no more than 10 people in the church at a time. So, beginning tomorrow, Saturday, April 18
th, there will be confessions in St. Agnes Church, according to the following schedule:
Saturdays, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Tuesdays, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
FIRST COMMUNION: Because of the extended suspension of public services, the celebration of First Communion, set for Sunday, May 3
rd, is cancelled. First Communion is now set for
Sunday, June 14th, Feast of Corpus Christi” at both the 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Masses. Certainly, this is a beautiful feast for the celebration of First Commun-ion.
First Reconciliation for the First Communion children will be on Sunday,
June 7th, 10:15 – 11:45 a.m. (between the two Masses). Additional details will be sent to the families of the Frist Communion children. First Communion at St. Jude, Council, will be re-scheduled with the families there.
GRADUATION MASS is set for Sunday, May 17
th, at the 9:00 a.m. Mass. All graduating seniors and their families are invited to participate.
SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION for our catechumens and candidates is set for Pentecost Sunday, May 31
st at both the 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon Masses.
CONFIRMATION: In his letter Bishop Christensen stated that the re-scheduling of the celebrations of Confirmation would be announced shortly. As we are informed, we will inform you.
YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT of the parish—St. Agnes, Holy Rosary, and St Jude—is greatly appreciated and needed. Many have mailed in their envelopes—thank you! While making a visit to St. Agnes Church you may slip your donation envelope—and Idaho Catholic Appeal envelope—under the sacristy door on the east side. Your donation can be safely deposited there and will be retrieved.
IDAHO CATHOLIC APPEAL: Many thanks to the parishioners who have participated in the Idaho Catholic Appeal. As of April 13
th, 16 families of St. Jude Church, Council, have given a total of $6,429, thus surpassing the goal of $2,843 (226%—presently the highest percentage in the Diocese). Well done! At St. Agnes Church, Weiser, 40 families have participated and given $17,193 toward the goal of $18,702 (92%). And at Holy Rosary Church, Cambridge, 7 families have contributed $2,140 to the goal of $3,382 (63%). With the participation of all members of the Parish, each according to their abilities, the goals can be completed. This once-a-year diocesan wide collection supports the ministry and works of our Diocesan Church in Idaho. Please drop your contribution off at the parish office or mail it directly to the Diocese (please be sure to indicate your parish—very important!). “For the Glory of God!”
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any service to you and your family. 208-549-0088 or
[email protected].
I close with a prayer from Pope Francis, from his encyclical,
Lumen Fidei (#60)”
Mother, help our faith!
Open our ears to hear God’s word
and to recognize his voice and call.
Awaken in us a desire to follow in his footsteps,
to go forth from our own land and to receive his promise.
Help us to be touched by his love,
that we may touch him in faith.
Help us to entrust ourselves fully to him and to believe in his love,
especially at times of trial,
beneath the shadow of the cross,
when our faith is called to mature.
Sow in our faith the joy of the Risen One.
Remind us that those who believe are never alone.
Teach us to see all things with the eyes of Jesus,
that he may be light for our path.
And may this light of faith always increase in us,
until the dawn of that undying day
which is Christ himself, your Son, our Lord!