Hello Folks:
I was going to warn you that this would be the harshest Flocknote that I’ve sent so far and then I slept on it 😊. So while this will be a FIRM Flocknote, it won’t be as fierce as I thought I’d need to make it. Here goes…These past two weeks a number of you have called and asked what we’re doing with/about the Palm. I had had a plan in my head for distribution but then in some recent directives the archdiocese suggested that we don’t distribute due to crowd concerns and contact issues while getting the Palm. But after talking with one of our neighbors (who shall remain nameless 😊), who is planning distribution on Palm Sunday, I decided to go with the original plan.
But before I share it with you, here’s the FIRMNESS—folks, Palm is what we call a sacramental. It’s nice; it’s got great symbolic value; it’s certainly part of our Catholic devotional tradition. But…IS A SACRAMENTAL WORTH MAYBE GETTING SICK? I set up a plan that will hopefully lessen the chance. But YOU have to be the ones to make it work and even if you do, there are no guarantees. So I’ll ask again and I want you to THINK about it. IS A SACRAMENTAL WORTH MAYBE GETTING SICK?And what’s the plan?
Any Palm that is not picked up on Palm Sunday will be kept for later distribution. I’m sure it will dry out as Palm does. But we’ll keep it secure and available for those unable to pick it up on Palm Sunday.
So there it is. Be smart. Be safe. If you don’t have gloves that would keep you and others safe, please don’t come. If you’re in the vulnerable demographic, please don’t come. I know some other parishes are putting Palm in bags but we don’t have the bags. I’ve heard some are planning a drive-thru but I’m not asking our clergy or staff to put themselves at risk with that option. This is about trying to keep us all safe. Make sure it’s worth it.
I’ll let you know later if we plan to keep the Palm out during Holy Week itself. If we do, it will still be under the front overhang of the Church. IT WILL NOT be available through the Parish Office so please don’t ask.
In other news, we’ll still be producing some reflection videos for Holy Week and I encourage you to link to the archdiocesan website for the Cathedral’s livestreaming of the Holy Week Liturgies. And know that as we clergy here celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week you are always in our hearts. We will get through this. God bless.
Praying for you always,
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