LETTER TO FRIENDS AND PARISHIONERS OF MQOA

Parishioners and friends,

There was a home-improvement-type show several years back where people were invited to visit their old homes, to see what the new owners had done with them. Some of the renovations and redecorations were stunning, and the former owners were always amazed at the differences. In every episode, one would say “I don’t even recognize this place!” and also, “I never would have made these choices.” It was hard for them to see their old home looking so different, even when the changes had improved their old homes significantly.
 
As we approach Easter and vaccines are being distributed more widely every day, we hope you are feeling anxious to return home to Mass, especially if you’ve been unable to in the past year. When you come, you will find that some things have surely changed. We’ve been dedicated to meet in the safest way possible over the past year, according to the Archdiocesan and our government’s guidelines, indoors and in our parking lots, and we’ve had to learn better and better ways to be hospitable and safe, all at once.
 
We’ve added new ways to worship, making it possible for everyone to access the Holy Mass in whatever way they feel safe. We’ve taken advantage of the inability for groups and events to happen in-person to do a lot of cleaning, and a lot of cleaning out. You’ll see that we’ve recarpeted some of our entry spaces and are painting walls, and there are hand-sanitizer dispensers at every entrance in both our churches. And best of all, you will see new faces, people you may not recognize, who have come to feel at home in our parish. People have joined us for Mass on the weekends from all over the area, and we’ve had guests in our online Masses and programs from around the world.
 
When you return, your favorite seat may have someone new sitting in it, or it may be inaccessible due to social distancing. But these are good things; they are signs of new life in the parish. Social distancing is the something that allows us to gather safely, to come to the table of the Lord in a way that cares for ourselves and each other. And of course, new people mean that we’re doing something right- we’re sharing the Good News of Christ to more and more people who need to hear it.
 
I’m so proud of the staff and leaders of our parish for having been willing and able to adapt and adjust as needed, sometimes on a day-to-day basis. They have been so dedicated to this parish and God’s mission for us, and have worked so hard to welcome everyone, in-person and online. And I’m so proud of our parishioners who have never stopped praying for this parish and sharing their faith in the darkest of these days. I’m so grateful for our financial supporters who made the switch to giving online, and who have been so generous, enabling us to make the improvements and repairs needed in these old houses of God. 

 We can’t wait for you to be able to come home to our churches again, and we hope you love what God’s done with the place while you’ve been away.

Peace, Fr. Bob Murray