Pastoral Council

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, we continue to rely on prayer and scripture to
guide us on how to “be” the church during the COVID-19 crisis. As many of us were beginning
to fall into a “new normal” social distancing routine, public places began to open anew,
including our beloved place of worship, St. Austin’s. Many of us will be feeling an array of
feelings as businesses and places of worship continue to open up. Some of you might be feeling
joy and happiness about the prospect of interacting with family and friends. Others might be
having some trepidation about joining in social gatherings. Still others might find themselves
wondering about when and how to return to worship in community. While we all have different
levels of comfort surrounding the return to worship in-person, we want to ensure the safety of all
parishioners, beloved Paulist priests, and St. Austin staff. Today, I want to share, on behalf of the
Parish Council, several ways that we will BE the church during these unprecedented times.

One of the beautiful aspects of our shared Catholic faith is that “church” isn’t defined by a time,
place, or set of four walls. The Holy Spirit built the church to be flexible, to adapt, and to
respond to the broken and uncertain world with HOPE that does not disappoint and to offer the
good news of Jesus. We recognize the need for wisdom, to respect our government authorities
and health officials, and also to “be the light of the world” (Matthew 5:16).

People over 60, with pre-existing health conditions and/or those who are immune-
compromised are strongly encouraged to choose online worship experiences and to avoid crowds
of any kind. Bishop Vasquez has stated that the faithful are dispensed from Sunday obligation.

We know some of our own parishioners may face challenges during this season. Please
remember that St. Austin’s is here to help you. If you have a need or challenge, please let a
church leader know and we will work together to help you and your family.

We will work to share more updates, but also encouragement through all of our various
communication channels. Please check the website, Facebook, YouTube, and other social media
regularly.

We have a unique opportunity to walk through this crisis with hope as we trust in the Lord.
Continue to pray for our community, both church and the wider communities in which we are a
part of. We, the ambassadors of Christ, get to bear witness to how we participate in church
during this time. It’s an exciting proposition to think of how we will retell the stories of how we
were church during a time of a pandemic to future generations.

Sitting down as a family to watch Facebook live or YouTube instead of attending in-person
church is not anything that any of us could have imagined at the end of 2019. However, when
was the last time you went to church in your P.J.’s or worshiped while enjoying a bowl of fruit
loops! There are a lot of positives that have come out of worshipping from home. Fellow Parish
Council members have described some ways that celebrating church from home has impacted
their family.

“With the live steam capability, we feel it's a "win-win" for us
to be connected with our community,
while doing our part to ensure that the only thing we share with one another is Peace."

~ Charles Vernor

I love being able to just turn on my computer and "be" at mass.
My living room rug is thick and so much more comfortable than the kneelers in the pews!
I can sing all the hymns as loud as I want and
not worry about how I sound to those around me.
I love being able to see the FB comments scroll as people join. I especially like when
everyone wishes Peace to each other - it is much more interactive that in person, when I
can only reach the people right in front or, behind, or next to me.

~ Jennifer Korba

There is a plethora of positives that have come from worshipping at home. For some it’s the
worshipping in PJ’s, for others it’s a chance to talk about the readings or homily with your
children when that wouldn’t really be an option during an in person service. Still others might
have their coffee(or breakfast) right next to them, we won’t tell! For all of us during these times,
we must turn to prayer and scripture for comfort. Remember that God is with us! Do not be
afraid. We are all in this together!

More than anything else, WE are still the church! We are the Body of Christ. May we live into
that reality in profound ways during these difficult times.

Many Blessings,
The Pastoral Council,

Kelly Bodu Tarrant, Chair
Marian Barber
Josie Barrett, Recorder
Lloyd Bircher
Janina Flores
John Hawkins
Jennifer Korba
Ray Mechler
Susan Parker
Mary Margaret Salls, Associate Chair
Charles Vernor
Michael Willard