Important Letter from Father Rob DiMattei

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Athanasius and St. Rose of Lima,

During this time of year, I usually send you a letter of invitation to our Lenten and Holy Week Services.  I was prepared to do so, but with the recent changes caused by the Coronavirus, I have been forced to make adjustments.  The protection of our family of faith and our staff is of utmost importance.  We are following all the rules set by the State and the Archdiocese for our protection and in order not to compromise individuals.  We are not having any Masses, services or functions with people gathered.  I too am greatly affected by this distancing, but understand that it is for the best, until the virus is under control.  Our parishes deal with a lot of vulnerable and elderly people who we want to protect.  At this time, be assured of my connection to you in prayer and I hope that we can all be united in prayer for each other.  I will continue to remember you and your Mass Intentions in my daily private Mass and prayers.   Our Parish Office will continue to remain open on its regular hours to serve you.  We will be happy to speak with you if you have any needs.  Please just remember not to visit if you are sick.  At this time, if you have computer access, you can watch the video Mass by the Archbishop by visiting www.archbalt.org or by watching EWTN or The Catholic Channel on your cable network.

We will continue to collect items for our food pantry and also we will be distributing items as we do each week.  If you will be dropping off items, please let our staff know that you are coming so we can prepare.

We will also continue to accept Easter Flower Memorial donations and the names of your loved ones will be printed in the bulletin at a later date.

For those Mass Intentions that have already been scheduled, Father Rob will continue to honor those at his private Masses and we will continue to accept Mass Intentions.

I am asking everyone to please remember that even though we are not able to be physically together each week, our weekly sacrificial offering is of high importance for our ability to carry on.  Unfortunately, we are losing additional fundraising opportunities that were planned during this time.  I must still pay all of the bills and make sure that our employees have compensation.   This is a difficult time for everyone, but please remember we depend on each of you for our existence.  Please continue to mail in or drop off your weekly offering to the Parish Office.  If you feel you would like to make a specific donation, please include a letter with your donation.  I have enclosed with this mailing an Easter Offering Envelope for you to utilize for your Easter Giving.  As we are mostly confined from our normal activities, I hope that this will be a time to simply slow down, realize the most important things in life that we have in common and grow in the love of family time spent together.

At this time, the following services and events are cancelled until further notice as all gatherings are limited to 10 people in attendance:

• Masses/Communion Services
• Eucharistic Adoration
• Stations of the Cross
• Religious Education/RCIA Classes
• Following Christ
• Grief Support Group
• Tenebrae Service (April 1^st)
• Bingo (April 3^rd and May 1^st)
• Palm Sunday Breakfast
• Easter Egg Hunt
• Parish Council Meeting scheduled for Saturday, April 25^th
• Spring Fling Dinner (May 9^th)

This list is subject to change as conditions are updated.

These scheduled events will take place with staff only in attendance:

The 50/50 Raffle at St. Rose will take place on April 1^st instead of March 23^rd, so please mail in your tickets or drop them off at the Parish Office.

The Early Bird Drawing and Wine & Cheese Party for the Everyone’s A Winner Raffle will take place on Saturday, April 18^th as scheduled but with staff only in attendance.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Parish Office.  May God bless you and keep you

What to do during the Coronavirus Crisis

Make the Sign of the Cross ~ Pray ~ Read the Mass Readings ~ Recite the Prayer of Spiritual Communion:

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things,  and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.

Collect items for our food pantry ~ Make donations for Easter Flower Memorials for your deceased loved ones, family members and friends ~ Support your parish community by mailing or dropping off your weekly offerings to the Parish Office.