While we recognize that many are eager to return to Mass in our churches, it remains important for those who are elderly and otherwise at risk to refrain from returning to public Liturgies until it is manifestly safe to do so. For all the faithful, especially those who are sick, at high risk of becoming sick, and their caregivers, the obligation to attend Sunday Mass is hereby dispensed.

Some of you may remember me from 4 years ago when, in 2016, I came to St. Anne as a seminarian intern for 6 months and then I returned to Mundelein Seminary to complete my theological studies.

Now I come among you as your Parish Administrator. It’s a much different ballgame being the parish administrator rather than a seminarian intern. The responsibility of this great community of faith and educational ministry is on my shoulders. I hope I can count on your support as together we move forward as a community of faith in the midst of a world crisis.

As we continue celebrating our Father’s Day Novena, let me say ‘Thank You’ for allowing me to be your spiritual Father, alongside Father Gregorio, Father Paul, Father Mugagga, and Father John. I thank God for all the times I was blessed to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with you, share the Holy Eucharist, Christ’s Body, our spiritual food. I am humbled how the Lord used me to share His mercy, absolution and healing with you in the sacraments of confession and anointing. And how truly blessed I feel to have been able to celebrate your baptisms, marriages and funerals.

While I begin serving in diocesan administration full time at the Chancery this week, I pray that there will be many opportunities to come back to Saint Anne’s to pray with you again, and just say ‘Hi’. Father Miguel and Father Gregorio, call me whenever you like!

We are broken-hearted, sickened, and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our eyes. The senseless taking of life defies the fundamental principles of justice and respect for human life. We must recognize the fact that all lives are sacred. As Catholics, it is not enough to relegate our concern to only thoughts and prayers. Our Church, at every level, must speak out unequivocally and work against the sin of racism.

I want to thank you for all of the prayers you have offered and the concerns you have shown for one another during this difficult time of the Coronavirus outbreak. The suspension of public Masses until further notice has been most challenging to all of us. I encourage everyone to join in making an act of spiritual communion together with the faithful at our livestreamed Sunday and daily Masses that we offer here at Saint Anne’s, and which may be seen on our YouTube Channel- stannelvnv, Facebook Page- stannelvnv1, and Parish Website- stannelvnv.org. We are very grateful for our Diocesan televised Mass Ministry Channel 33 / Cox 6, and also EWTN Cox 349 and Relevant Radio AM 970, bringing the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and the comforting message of Christ, into our homes multiple times a day.