Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

Saturday, May 14, is/was Armed Forces Day. Prayerful thanks and best wishes to our men and women in uniform as well as to all who have served our great country in the past. As many great leaders have assured us: “The price of peace is eternal vigilance!” I have been particularly edified by many of the sons and daughters of our parish family who serve in the military. May the Good Lord bless them and protect them and, with their vital help, bless and protect all of us privileged to be citizens of the greatest nation known to mankind. Our various military flags along Lincoln Highway are flying in gratitude for you!

Thursday of this week, May 21, is the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord. As our Mass intentions continue to be celebrated, please be certain that your wonderfully prayerful presence continues to be missed by our bevy of celebrants but certainly not by our loving God, Who knowing our present situation, is pleased to hear our prayers of adoration, petition, reparation and thanksgiving being offered in our homes, many times with the assistance of being “virtually” in union with Holy Mass.

The quarterly food drive at SSPJ benefits The Lord’s Pantry and the West Chester Food Cupboard with donations by way of cash and checks being divided equally between these two organizations.  Donations may be mailed to these organizations or you may visit their website for online giving options.
 
The Lord’s Pantry
141 East Lancaster Avenue
Downingtown, PA  19335
www.lordspantryofdowningtown.org
 
West Chester Food Cupboard
431 South Bolmar Street
West Chester, PA  19382
www.westchesterfoodcupboard.org

I don’t know about you, but so often I find myself singing the beautiful Marian Hymns in this Our Lady’s Month of May. With fondness, little Joey D clearly remembers joining his dear mother in singing the Hail Mary as the wash, in those days of yore, got hung out to dry. Our dear parents helped us in so many ways to be close to God and His Saints. Hopefully the added time together, these unique days, find us sharing the beauty of our Catholic Faith with those we love in a rich variety of ways. I am grateful to our Immaculate Heart of Mary Sisters and Faculty for staying in touch through our parents with our young’uns and their faith journeys. +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

“Let your hearts be not troubled, you have faith in God, have faith also in Me! These words have always had a wonderful resonance in my heart and I hope also in yours. They first especially came to my attention as a seminarian trying to allay the trepidation's of an upper classman who was greatly troubled about stepping forward for ordination.

Interesting, it was also the message last Friday at daily Mass and by coincidence, (are there really any such things); it was the Gospel chosen by the family for the funeral of a wonderful wife and mother, Dottie Tuccio, that same day. She had gone to God after a valiant battle with poor heath for several years. 

And yes, here it is in the Gospel, a third time for me, on this Fifth Sunday of Easter in the current cycle of readings. Earlier this week I attempted several times to work on this little message…and always there were interruptions. There are no accidents with God. Clearly the message became certain, if not loud and clear, the Lord wants us to hear His words to Philip in this Sunday’s Gospel. “DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED.” Jesus’ words two thousand years ago to the twelve, and in this Easter of unusual grace, we hear the message once again! Let’s open our hearts and really take and make our own, Jesus’ words.

“DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED, YOU HAVE FAITH IN GOD, HAVE FAITH ALSO IN ME.”

In the midst of life’s present uncertainties, may our hearts resound with a fervent:

AMEN!  ALLELUIA!

A Blessed Mother’s Day to all our Mom’s living and deceased. 

The Masses this weekend are being offered for the mom’s listed on our Mother’s Day Remembrance envelopes.  

May Our Lady, the wonderful Queen of Mothers, whom we especially honor in this beautiful month of May, keep all our mothers in her loving care.

P.S. The above noted seminarian is celebrating his forty-eighth anniversary of a happy and fruitful Priesthood this year. +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

Please be certain that all our wonderful parishioners are in the prayers of our I.H.M Sisters, our Augustinian helpers, Fr. Quan and yours truly. We are grateful for your prayers for us and our Church. We, also, are very grateful for the tremendous out poring of support from our SSPJ family, and those who sometimes worship with us, for our continuing financial needs. Thank you and God bless you for your always marvelous generosity to our parish and it’s good works.    

I wanted to remind everyone about the SSPJ Helping Hands Volunteers that are here for the asking! They are ready to help our parishioners with temporary needs. They make meals, visit with, drive for errands and doctor appointments, groceries, and more for those that can’t do these things on their own. If you need a helping hand or if you would like to join the group contact LeeAnne Kaminski at 610.524.9335 or HelpingHands.sspj@gmail.com.  

I have had an inquiry about church being opened for visits, (this to the Pastor who was reported to the “liturgy police” a few weeks ago), prior to the Governor’s order, for having church open. In light of the Governor’s decree, I am convinced that opening church or chapel is prohibited. This despite the fact that some churches disregard civil authority.

The good Lord certainly knows our desire to be in His Eucharistic Presence as well as received Him and He certainly understands why we, at this time, cannot safely do so. In His marvelous way the Lord allows us to be spiritually in his Presence, similar to the spiritual communions that have been necessary these past weeks.

I just cannot see the “necessity” of visits when we cannot attend Holy Mass with impunity. Contaminated pews do not know Mass times from visits times and without disinfecting the pews, they can be dangerous. Actually, in places in the south that are contemplating opening for Mass, the recommendation is that only every third pew be available for seating (no one in the pews in between). Also, after every Mass the pews used must be disinfected. (I recommended to one pastor that it would be easier to alternate pews at each of three Masses, that are available and then after all three Masses sanitize all the pews.) In light of all this I hope you can understand my concern about being open for “visits” at this extraordinary time. We just don’t have the ability to continuously disinfect pews during “visit” times.   

In the meantime, let’s focus on the joy of the wonderful Easter Season and in the midst of media Masses, spiritual communions and visits, remember that our kindness to others is the best indication of union with the Risen One! 

Queen of Heaven rejoice, Alleluia! For the Son, Whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia! 
Has risen as he said, Alleluia! Pray for us to God, Alleluia! 

Having entered the beautiful month of Our Blessed Mother let’s remember to take advantage of Jesus’ gift to us of His own mother, always seeking her intercession on our behalf. Our Lady’s shrine in church has been decorated and her image crowned. Similarly, very kind parishioners have planted Our Lady’s grotto for the season. Why not honor Our Lady in your home. Adorn her image and pray her rosary.  +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

I hope and pray this finds you and your dear ones well. You are very much missed! Please be certain of a daily remembrance at our altar. 

As Catholics, we continue to be blessed by our sojourn through the beautiful fifty days of the Easter Season. I know the Risen One has manifested Himself to all of us in a wide variety of ways this year. These unusual weeks abound with opportunities to encounter Him. I am truly delighted to hear how many make use of the Eucharistic opportunities given by the media and on the internet. Our ability to receive Him spiritually, and as noted last week to experience the forgiveness of all our sins through a perfect Act of Contrition, until we are able to receive sacramental absolution, hopefully continue to empower our steps in closer union with Him as we journey onward. The warmth of family and friends made possible by the variety of communication opportunities and even the simple smile through our safety masks or little wave are all opportunities of our being the Body of Christ with and for others. 

Let’s not forget to give thanks for the beauty of Spring, this year especially bold, in the shrubs and trees and the bright colors of the flowers sprung from those dark crusty branches and bulbs. All moments to keep uppermost in our minds that the One, who could not be held by the darkness of the tomb, offers us His Company in wonderfully rich and varied ways. As He told Mary of Magdala and those first frightened disciples, “do not be afraid.” May we, too, experience the voice of the Risen One. He alone can empower us to live each moment emboldened by the Faith, Hope and Love that He offers us until we are safely with Him in the unimaginable wonder of life in the Most Blessed Trinity.

Continue to pray for God’s blessings for researchers, all hospital and healthcare workers, and all those serving in the essential services. Please remember all the sick, and our faithful departed, especially the mother of Dr. Louis Manna who died this week. Dr. Manna is a regular usher at Saturday 4 PM Mass. May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace. +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

Again, I say, rejoice!

As we depart the beautiful Easter Octave (eight days of Sunday) that comprise our Catholic liturgical “Easter Sunday,” we move on to the extended Easter Season. As our celebration of the great “day” or Octave of Easter found us at a loss to personally be present to the Sacred Mysteries, I am sure, however, that the good Lord helped each of us to experience the beauty of Holy Week and Easter Week in our homes. Our private devotions, aided for many by the televising or skyping of the celebration of  Holy Mass, will hopefully continue to bolster up our faith in these trying times. 

Please be certain that a perfect Act of Contrition (one when we are sorry for offending God not because we fear punishment, but because we have offended God who loves us beyond our imagining,) always restores us to the State of Grace, until we can make Sacramental Confession to a priest. Similarly, when we are prohibited from the reception of Our Lord in Holy Communion, we certainly can welcome the Lord “Spiritually” into ourselves as if at Communion. Remember our Blessed Lord is never outdone in generosity. Let’s be certain that that the remainder of this beautiful season will find us in ever deeper union with God, through our union with Christ in prayer, and the workings of their Holy Spirit in our lives.

Speaking of prayer, the present circumstances give us a great opportunity to also renew our devotion to Our Blessed Mother Mary with the daily recitation of the Rosary and recitation morning, noon and night of the lovely “Queen of Heaven” prayer that replaces the Angelus through the Season of Easter.

Queen of Heaven, Rejoice, Alleluia
For He Whom you did merit to bear, Alleluia
Has risen as He said, Alleluia
Pray for us to God, Alleluia
Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, Alleluia
For the Lord has risen indeed. Alleluia

Let Us Pray

O God, Who gave joy to the whole world
Through the Resurrection of Your Son,
Our Lord Jesus Christ,
Grant that we may obtain, through
His Virgin Mother, Mary, 
The joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Christ our Lord. 
Amen! 

Even in the midst of the trials of this life, may our faith and trust in our good and gracious God, and the example and prayers of Our Lady, the Saints and Angels, sustain us and ever keep us God’s Holy People!  +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

The beautiful rites of Holy Week are not nearly as lovely without your face, in faithful witness to the sacred events that our Catholic liturgy makes present for us. Please be certain that the Sisters and those in the sanctuary for our celebrations are very conscious of having you with us, as we gather about the Lord’s altar. Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!  Ever ancient, yet in the mystery of our celebrations, ever present, but also anticipatory of that perfect union with God yet to come. 

We remember in a special way those who have passed from our midst these past weeks as well as all the Faithful Departed. We especially remember Howard Walker and John Berta, both wonderfully faithful and longtime parishioners, who went to God this week from causes unrelated to the present virus. Howard, and his dear wife Barbara were very supportive of the religious community, Missionaries of Charity founded by St. Teresa of Calcutta. John, and his dear wife Mary, for many, many years have faithfully maintained St. Mary’s Chapel. May they and all the dead be caught up in the endless Easter of Heaven. Let their prayers for us, be joined to ours, and be especially helpful to those who are ill and all those caring for them, put in harms’ way by their helping vocations. We have, to be sure, all heard the maxim: “We are an Easter People!”  

Have you seen SSPJs Doors of Hope? Several of our parishioners have sent in photos of their beautiful homes adorned with white ribbons helping us to remember when we see them they are a sign of hope and of our joyful welcome home when the Mass is restored. Take a look at the pictures on the homepage of our website. Send your pictures to website@sspjparish.net and we will add them on our website and Facebook page!

Also, take a moment to explore our new website for spiritual resources to help us through these trying times as well as updates about our Parish on the homepage.

May the fifty days of the beautiful Easter Season make us more deeply conscious that our good and gracious God will help humanity rise above the present crisis. With His help we will rise again, in the present age, and yes, most importantly, in the new age awaiting those who love and serve Him, hidden in each other. A blessed Easter day and season to each of us and our loved ones!  This is our prayer as we gather about the altar this Easter of 2020. Some us physically, most of us at a safe distance in our home, we are always together,  the “Body of Christ.” Christ victorious! Christ reigning! Christ our Everlasting King! A blessed Easter is ours! Alleluia (Praise the Lord), Alleluia!  The Lord is risen, He is truly risen, Alleluia, Alleluia! May Our Blessed Lady, the glorious Queen of Heaven, pray for us and make us worthy of the promises of Christ.  +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,
 
How are you? Please be assured that you are especially remembered in our celebrations of Holy Mass and prayers at our parish site. All our Mass intentions are being satisfied each day and the Masses of Easter will be offered as planned for all “who would be present” as opposed to the normal “those present.” Please continue to be assured that the Lord is with us and His Infinite Goodness is praised daily through the Eucharistic Sacrifice at our beloved parish. Although not able to be physically present, please be assured that you gain all the blessings and graces as if you were, by joining yourself spiritually to our celebrations from the safety of your home. Our Church and chapel remained closed due to the Governor’s order. It is my understanding that some church have hours when they are open for private prayer. I am at a loss to appreciate how this is possible with the Governor’s present directives. Our God is accessible in the safety of your home, please keep your exposure to possible contamination at the absolute minimum as needed for essentials.
 
We have considered very carefully the distribution of blessed palm and have decided it is in the best interest of all to keep it stored in refrigeration until it can safely be available. I am very grateful to Wedgewood Gardens for allowing us to cancel our usual Easter flower order. While some adornment of church will take place, our Easter Flower Donations will be used for the “little” Easter Sundays ahead once our Church is able to be safely open to all. Thank you for your always generous response to the needs of the Lord’s household here in Exton.
 
Please keep spiritual communion with the beautiful rites of this Holy Week 2020, by your private devotions, and the wonderful possibilities to experience the liturgy through the miracle of the media. Due to the many options that are available in this regard, I have chosen after some consultation, not to take the steps that would be necessary, with the attending expense, to broadcast our celebrations. Our website notes the many options already available. I am very grateful to Rene Coady, Barbara Doyle and Mike McCafferty for their invaluable assistance in this regard. I am also grateful to our maintenance staff, Eric and Max Miller, for continuing their presence, which in the absence of normal demands, has made many improvements to our facilities possible.
 
We have placed white ribbons on the doors of our church and St. Mary’s Chapel to let anyone who sees them know that Fr. Quan and I are praying for our parish community and all the faithful, and that we miss you. I invite you to place white ribbons on your doors at home as a sign of hope and of our joyful welcome home when the Mass is restored. Send your pictures to website@sspjparish.net and we will post them on our website and Facebook page!

Keep up your heart! Better days are surely ahead. In the meantime, let us intensify our prayers for our wonderful medical personnel and supporting staff who, in so many ways, are doing so very much for so very many. May the Lord bless their efforts for healing and keep them safe in the midst of their selfless service to suffering humanity.  +jcd

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,
 
My heart aches because, due to this Coronavirus pandemic, we are unable to celebrate Eucharist together for, what I hope will be, a brief time. Please be assured that I will continue to remember you and your family in the private Masses that I will be offering. During these difficult days, while we cannot congregate to celebrate Eucharist, it seems to me that the Lord is inviting us to be Eucharist to one another. 
 
If you remember in the Gospel text for the Third Sunday of Lent, in His conversation with the Samaritan woman, when she said that they, the Samaritans, worshiped on the mountain, while Jews saw Jerusalem as the place to worship, Jesus responded, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.”… “the hour is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth, and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth.”
 
Now is the time! We, who are blessed to be a Eucharistic people, are now called to be Eucharist to one another. There are so many ways we can do that:

1. Praying together in the Sanctuary of the Home for all who are sick and ministering to the sick. (May I recommend for your consideration the Holy Mass available on various websites by our Cathedral, the Family Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, Prayer of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.)
2. Calling up elderly relatives, friends, neighbors, offering to shop for them or pick up medicines or other necessities for them.

These are just a few ways in which we can show ourselves to be the Eucharistic people we claim to be. I am sure you, in your own creative ways, can think of myriad other ways in which you might serve others, and thereby “worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.”
 
While this is indeed a health crisis that affects all of us, it is also a financial crisis for many. Many of our people find themselves suddenly unemployed and are experiencing financial distress. To the extent that we are able, we need to help where we can. 
 
We sincerely appreciate your support of our Parish and ask that you consider immediate utilization of the new online offertory service that is discussed in the Pastor's letter. 
 
With God’s help, I am confident that we will continue to grow as the Eucharistic People of Saints Philip and James Parish. Please know that you are valued and prayed for each day.
 
Gratefully in the Lord,
Reverend Joseph C. Dieckhaus, J.C.L.
Pastor