Updates for May 2020
Update for May 2020/May 10th
Remembering our Blessed Mother and all mothers for Mother’s Day -
Dear Faithful,
No doubt we’ve all grown weary of the relentless topic of the times, so I won’t weary you or myself with further opinion on the matter at present. (Although I’m tempted to reflect on no-shut-down Sweden, but I won’t.) In any event, to contemplate history is very sobering, what with periods of war, famine, and plague, sometimes in unison, bringing large regions of the Christian world to their knees.
Thus just a quick update on the prospects of sacramental reboot in Sleepy Hollow.
The idea of two TLMs on Sunday afternoons is still on the table. Not a few details have to be worked out. I’ll have more information for you on that within the next two weeks. A restart on May 17 is somewhat unlikely, but not completely out of the question.
What makes me hopeful is a number of things. We’re not in Newark, NJ, where church lockdown is virulent and officially extended to June. Moreover, It’s beginning to dawn on state governors that we have to reopen, even though that will entail some increase in the incidence of disease. Furthermore, the TLM in Sleepy Hollow has some insulation. But of more concern is, as I will continue to put it, civil aggression.
However, the governor of NY indicated that, while he is favorable toward the application of penalties to violations of state restrictions on social activities, he is leaving that (for now) to local communities and municipalities. If we inform, therefore, local authorities of our plans to reopen the church with due respect for social distancing, we may get a pass. perhaps. Once again, we’ll see, and know, I should think, within the next two weeks.
We’ll aim for First Communions on Sunday, June 14 (External Solemnity of Corpus Christi). Also, traditional Confirmation has been cancelled at St. Anthony’s in West Orange, NJ (my place of residence). No new date has been established, but we’re looking to the early fall.
With that you shall hear from me faithfully in the coming week. Prayers as always for our cause, the unemployed, poor, sick, infirm, and the deceased, especially those who may have recently left this world without the rites of Holy Church.
Courage! St. Michael the Archangel, Defend us in the day of battle. In Domino, Fr. Munkelt
Memorare
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who fled to your protection,
implored your help, or sought your intercession,
was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you,
O virgin of virgins, my mother.
To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions,
but in your mercy hear and answer them. AMEN.
Hail, Holy Queen
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy!
Our life, our sweetness, and our hope!
To thee do we cry, poor banished
children of Eve,
To thee do we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
thine eyes of mercy toward us; and
After this our exile show unto us the
blessed fruit of thy womb Jesus;
O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.Pray for us, O holy Mother of God
that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. AMEN
Update for May 2020 May 3
Dear Faithful,
Good News! But first…no, don’t worry, just a brief note on the usual. This past week the CEO of Qualcomm, which supplies digital micro devices to Apple, remarked that the recovery of the economy will depend on how quickly the “damaged psyche” of the consumer can be repaired. Damaged psyche indeed! Damaged livelihoods, damaged families, damaged souls in the millions thanks to hyperbolic socio-economic restrictions, ecclesial self-negation, the grotesque sentimentalization of life and death, and the infantilization of the public mind through fearmongering by the group out to destroy the president at any cost.
That said, now for some hope. After conferring with the pastor of our church of St. John Paul II-Immaculate Conception in Sleepy Hollow, I have tentative approval to restart there public Latin Masses in the second half of May, possibly as early as Sunday, May 17. And not just one Mass on Sundays, but two! The timing of the two Masses (preceded by confessions) on Sunday afternoons is to be determined. The idea of an extra Mass, as I’m sure you realize, is to spread out the congregation in our ample-sized church in order to give social distancing its due.
But actually, a second Mass is a good in itself. In fact, it might just become a permanent fixture. First, because communicable disease will always be with us. Second, and more importantly, I want to use an additional Mass to cultivate our Catholic sacramental heritage among priests, especially the young ones, by giving them more opportunity to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass. Thus, I would ordinarily celebrate one Mass and another priest the other.
I envision starting with just Low Masses. Going forward, however, each Sunday one Mass would be Low, the other, at least two Sundays a month, High, i.e., sung with choir.
The details of the system by which to apportion our congregation between the two Masses is a work in progress. Also, I know we must get to First Communions which, as mentioned in a previous epistle, I’m thinking of delaying until the External Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Sunday, June 14. And by the by, Confirmation at my place of residence–St. Anthony of Padua Oratory, West Orange, NJ–is uncertain. However, if postponed it would likely be only to the fall. In any event if needed, I could try to arrange myself for Confirmation in the fall in Sleepy Hollow.
Needless to say, I shall be in touch next week about the above plan for restarting our sacramental life. What makes the plan tentative is only the degree of possible civil aggression and/or ecclesiastical disapproval. I’ll have to check the “temperature” on that in the days to come!
Your prayers for this and for the sick and suffering of our community are greatly appreciated. All the best in Our Lord and Lady, Fr. Munkelt
Traditional Latin Mass news and updates for NY, CT, and NJ: