Beginning May 1st, the Council of Bishops has instructed parishes to follow the guidance of their state and local governments to limit the spread of Covid-19; churches may resume public, in-person services as permitted by their state. Parishes should continue to follow social distancing guidelines as they resume services.
Protected: Easter Sunday Mass with Father Ponec
In Time of Great Sickness and Mortality
O MOST mighty and merciful God, in this time of grievous sickness, we flee unto thee for succour. Deliver us, we beseech thee, from our peril; give strength and skill to all those who minister to the sick; prosper the means made use of for their cure; and grant that, perceiving how frail and uncertain our life is, we may apply our hearts unto that heavenly wisdom which leadeth to eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Spiritual Communion
Prayer and worship when unable to attend Mass. Read.
How to read Morning and Evening Prayer by Father Ponec
While we all practice social distancing to control the spread of Covid-19, we can use our Book of Common Prayer to continue worship by reading Morning and Evening Prayer.
Not sure where to start? Here is a guide written by Father Ponec for a parishoner who inquired about how to read MP (Morning Prayer) or EP (Evening Prayer). While the readings were specific to the day in question, you can easily find the proper readings and collect for the day by checking the “Psalms and Lessons for the Christian Year” in the beginning of the BCP, and the “Collects, Epistles and Gospels” that follow the Order for Holy Communion. Read Father Ponec’s guide here.
Letter from the Council of Bishops
I am writing to you today out of the abundance of Love that Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has for you all and as if I were able to speak to you in person. Covid-19 (Coronavirus) has caused all of us to begin adjusting to a new “normal” in both our professional and personal lives…. Out of an abundance of caution and by God’s Grace, I am urging the clergy of the APCK to close the doors of our Parishes (and Missions) and to suspend all public services, Sundays and weekdays, for the next two weeks, March 22nd (Lent IV) and March 29th (Lent V) inclusive, in an effort to keep our people safe. Read the complete letter, sent March 19, 2020, here.
Lent III by Father Ponec
Today we enter the third week in Lenten tide, into the midpoint of our Lententide experience. In a homily given by St. Ambrose, he praises those who, through fasting, prayer and almsgiving continue down a path to obtain forgiveness for their sins. more
Lenten Message from Father Ponec
Often during Lent, my mind turns to reading from the prophet Isaiah.. More
Lenten Journey, 2020
From Father Ponec:
A Prayer for Keeping a Holy Lent
From Father Ponec: