We have good news about COVID19 and St. Francis Parish that we want to tell everyone. Since COVID19 hit us way back in March, we know of just one Mass attendee who has experienced COVID19. The parishioner experienced mild symptoms, got medical attention, was quarantined, contacted persons with whom they had close contact and each of them subsequently tested negative. They will not return to public life until the negative test protocol is met. Compared to other churches, this is incredible and it means we’re doing all the right things as a parish community, such as keeping social distance, wearing masks, dutifully sanitizing the entire church after each gathering, and folks are staying home if they have underlying health issues, etc. This is indeed good news! 

While Ohio is seeing an increase in the number of people reporting COVID19, we want to thank everyone for wearing masks, social distancing, and helping with sanitizing while worshipping with us at Mass. Currently about 400 people are attending Mass each weekend, across our four Mass times, which means that less than ¼ of our available seats are being occupied, which also means there is plenty of room for you.  We miss seeing so many of you here and pray you will return to us soon if you are able. We say this simply to remind you that you are loved and missed, and to re-invite you to experience the great grace and hope that comes to all of us when we receive our Lord in the Eucharist and in His Word. We all can use a little more hope in these days of anxiousness and divisiveness in our country. 

Many of us initially welcomed the laid-back in-home atmosphere of live stream Mass and, although many are healthy and able, it is tempting to continue to celebrate Mass digitally, with a coffee in hand, or not attend Mass at all because we are dispensed and not obligated, and it is summertime. However, nothing can replace kneeling before our Lord as He becomes present to us in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, being able to worship Him as a community and receive Him like no other place on Earth. We are grateful we have been allowed to return to Mass and we welcome you to return: come to the table,  where heaven meets Earth in the Eucharist. Our world needs Jesus, we need Jesus in this time isolation and fear. However if you don’t feel safe venturing out to Mass, or the hardware or grocery stores, for sports or a vacation, or you have health or age related concerns, then please know that we will continue to offer the live stream Mass for you to join us digitally. 

We live in a strange age. It is an age marked by contention, strife and factionalism. There’s no doubt that the news and politics have the potential to ruin our mood, throw us into despair, negatively affect relationships and ultimately destroy our soul, but there is something you can do about it. Consuming too much media is as bad for our emotional health as junk food is to our body. Please stay informed, but please be careful to look to reliable sources and limit your daily consumption of media and social media. Start with prayer each day and throughout the day when you are feeling uneasy (consider trying Hallow for free), follow us on Facebook and Instagram for uplifting and good news and help us build each other up In the hope of Christ during these uncertain times.