"HOPE IS THE ANCHOR OF THE SOUL" (Hebrews 6:19). We, Christians, are people of Hope. We know that God loves us and that He has a beautiful plan for each of us. Many people are suffering today because of the continuing pandemic. About 400,000 Americans have died of Covid-19 within the last 12 months. Everyone has been affected through the loss of a relative or friend. Many are afraid of being infected and have not yet come back to attend Mass at church. Many are asking, "God, where are you? Why are you allowing this pandemic to continue? " I always say that GOD IS A GOD OF HOPE! God will never abandon us. We believe in the resurrection of the bodies. We believe in eternal life. We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior. We believe in the Catholic Church. We are never alone on our journey of Faith. We have been praying for the end of the pandemic. We have been using a strict protocol in our own parish, in our own church so as to protect lives. Now that vaccination is available in Charles County, it is a time of hope for all of us. It is TIME TO GET VACCINATED. It is also a time to help one another.
Following much progress in Phase 1-A (inoculation of healthcare providers, long-term residents), since Monday, January 18th we have entered Phase 1B (residents aged 75 and older, special needs group homes, developmentally disabled persons, continuity of government workers, childcare providers, teachers, and education staff) and we will enter Phase 1C next Tuesday, January 26th (Residents aged 65-74).
Several parishioners have asked me whether they should be vaccinated. My answer is YES. Of course, no one is obliged to be vaccinated. It is your own decision. However, vaccination is a common good. When the entire world was affected by highly contagious diseases like smallpox, its eradication was made possible by nearly everyone being vaccinated. As I said many times, we should not be afraid of the coronavirus, we should put all our efforts in renewing our Faith and putting all our trust in Our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One to Save us! He is the only One to give us Peace, Hope and Eternal Life. He is the TRUTH, the only TRUTH! However, we need to use common sense in taking care of the health of our bodies, and in protecting the health of others: our family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and fellow parishioners. This is why we are wearing masks at this time. This is why we keep safe distancing. This is why we wash our hands regularly. This is why we should be vaccinated.
There have been some objections to vaccination based on moral grounds. Our own Archbishop Cardinal Wilton Gregory, together with Baltimore’s Archbishop William Lori and other Bishops wrote a joint letter last month explaining why "it is morally permissible to accept vaccination when there are no alternatives and there is a serious risk to health” and recommending that "a Catholic can in good conscience receive the currently available COVID-19 vaccines." Moreover, they added that "given the grave risk of harm to others, they strongly encourage the faithful to receive a vaccine against COVID, unless medically indicated otherwise." (Click here to see the full text)
Because of logistical issues, (shortage of vaccine supplies, difficulties for county in reaching out to those eligible with no access to email), we all have to be patient ...and we also must reach out to those most in need, especially the elderly, and help them in registering. I encourage every parishioner to go to CharlesCountyHealth.org and learn about timing and process to register, or to call 301-609-6717. If you know someone that is over 65 and does not have access to a computer, or do not have an email, please consider being a "helping hand". Let the office know if you would like to volunteer to help others by sending an email to office@olhoc.org On the other hand, if you are the one needing help, do not hesitate to contact the office. As we are launching "The Gift of Love" as our Lenten Retreat Theme beginning February 18th (day after Ash Wednesday), we invite you to sign up on our website (click here) and ask a friend to join you. There is no greater Love than Jesus giving His life for all of us. Let us share His Love with one another. Let us pray that as we face the pandemic challenges together, God will help keep strengthening our parish community: bringing all to Christ, sharing Christ with all, being one in Christ, loving one another through Christ!
One in Christ,
Fr. Alain
P.S. As this is being sent to the printer, I have just received the first dose of the COVID vaccine at the Regency Blue Crab Stadium (I qualified as 75 +). I am happy to report I am still alive! Now I fully understand the process from registration to vaccinated and I am ready to help others 75+ ... Father Ben, our preschool teachers, and some of our staff are expected to receive their first doses within the next week (they all qualify to protect the children that attend our preschool daily).