Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Isaiah 41:10 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

During this challenging times of the Coronavirus where our whole life’s experiences are turned upside down and inside out, the words of Isiah are very consoling for me. That doesn’t mean I have no fears, anxieties, or doubts. We are being transitioned into a whole new way of life, especially how we will celebrate the central focus of our religious life, the Most Holy Eucharist.

As this is being written, we clergy are still awaiting directives from our Bishop as to when and how we will once again begin celebrating Mass. This much I think I can safely say, there is no going back to what it was like three to four months ago.

We are in the midst of the Easter season when we celebrate Christ’s Resurrection from the dead and restored us to eternal life with him. Certainly we have been and are going through a death process in so many way. But new life will come out of all this. What it will look like I have no idea but I am not afraid for God is in charge, not me, not us.

I thank my staff members for their touching base with so many of you. I thank you for your many personal phone calls and written messages. Every day I have been celebrating Mass with Fr. Ron either over in the church or when I have been down at his place, around his dining room table. On the altar here at St. Peter I have placed the two parishes directories as a reminder that we are a community of faith and we are in this together.

Our pastoral assignments are for six years. My six years are up on June 30, 2020. Assignments can be extended for another six years at the discretion of the Bishop. We clergy can retire at the age of seventy. I will turn seventy June 5th of this year. I informed the Bishop that I would be willing to sign up for another six years then retire in 2026. On Monday, May 11th, I received in the mail a letter from the Bishop, assigning me as Pastor for another six years to St. Peter and St. Cyril parishes. To say that I am thrilled and delighted is an understatement. I absolutely love being pastor of two great faith communities.

To give you a heads up. Once elective surgeries are allowed in our hospitals, I will have surgery on my back. The epidurals did little to relieve the pain. In the meantime I’ll be doing the preliminary testing/exams leading up to the date of surgery. Once again thank you for your concern and prayers.

I so look forward to the time when we can once again gather around the tables of Word and Eucharist, share our stories, and grow in the image and likeness of Christ.

In conclusion I’d like to share with you once again The Bookmark Prayer of Teresa of Avila. I discovered this last December, 2019 and had it printed in the parish bulletins. I suggested cutting it out and making it part of our daily prayer. I have my copy posted on my refrigerator door. As my morning coffee is brewing, I’m praying. Who would have thought this prayer would be so poignant at this time.

Know that you are in my daily prayers and celebrations of the Eucharist. Fr. Bill Gruden Pastor

THE BOOKMARK PRAYER OF TERESA OF AVILA

Let nothing trouble you.
Let nothing scare you.
All is fleeting.
God alone is unchanging.
Patience.
Everything obtains.
Who possesses God, wants nothing.
God alone suffices.

St. Teresa of Avila 1515-1582