A Message from Fr. Hinterschied

Dear St. Patrick Parishioners,


What we are experiencing right now is quite a unique event for ourselves individually, for the life of our community, and for the life of our nation.


Following both Governor DeWine's public statements yesterday (3/12) afternoon and communications I received from Bishop Brennan, I met with our Early Learning Center Director, Ms. Polly Forde-Johnston and our School Principal, Mrs. Deborah Adamczak to make the necessary adjustments to the Catholic education and formation of our dear children.  I thank both of them immensely for how they are handling this and please consult them for relevant updates to our School and ELC.


I will not attempt to go into the physical health issues, as it is certainly not a conversation that I can contribute towards, but this is complex and a solution will not be easy to come by.  Please consult with Madison County Public Health and I just encourage us all to follow health guidelines with a sense of responsibility.


Throughout history Christians have served the community as a witness of love and care during times of illness. Christ is the center of our life and He will lead us through all challenges, including this present one.  Let us remember that we are united in Christ through prayer and a common spirit of love and trust in Him!


There may be temptations, however: first, that of simply waiting for the present emergency to end and waiting for better times to "start living again".  However, we do not know how long this emergency will last, and also that attitude doesn't help us to live well in the present, which is an appointed time, given to us by God.


Another possible temptation is that of letting ourselves become swallowed up in what we watch, listen to, and read, to the point that we face this emergency with a worldly spirit, focused solely on health safety and material realities.


St. Paul wrote to the Romans: "Everything contributes to the good for those who love God" (8:28).  Even this moment is a time of grace, a time of Providence.  We do not always possess God's Will immediately, but we certainly know even now that God loves us, His Providence is with us and a grace of God is present.  


What good can be found now?


We are now given this grace, to look more towards the Lord. What we are experiencing right now reminds us of the truth of our fragility and our poverty. This current emergency is an opportunity to be reminded that God alone truly matters and remains essential, above everything else.  We are living in an opportune moment to reaffirm the gift of Faith we have received and to open more and more our hearts to the Sacred Heart.


Being extra careful now reminds us that we are pilgrims; not aimlessly wandering, but striving to a particular destination, Heaven.  Not everything will be resolved on earth and thus God has personally given us the tremendous gift of Hope.


Also, this time gives us the grace to look more closely around us. This is not a time to lock ourselves up and be sterile, but rather a time to be charitable.  First and foremost, through prayer: lifting up our hearts and minds, and embracing penances for those who are ill or who are directly assisting the sick; also entrusting those who have died to the Lord's mercy; but then also when able to bring our help to where it could be needed.


I don’t pretend to know what’s going to happen in the coming weeks, but maybe this is a time for reconciliation. For getting right with God and neighbor. If you haven’t been talking with someone, pick up the phone. If you haven’t been talking with God, now is the acceptable time! Remember your baptism, remember all the times you have received Jesus in the Eucharist and often make an Act of Spiritual Communion. He is near to you. Cling to Him, wherever you find yourself during these trying times.


In order to promote safety and health in our public worship and assist in alleviating undue anxiety among parishioners (especially the elderly), it seems prudent to reiterate some important liturgical guidelines and use them to our benefit at St. Patrick.


Whenever anyone is ill, or someone is dependent upon you for their care while they are sick (esp. children), the Church dispenses that person from their obligation to hear Holy Mass on Sundays and Holy Days. (CCC 2181) More specifically, Bishop Brennan has dispensed all the faithful from their Sunday Mass obligation for the next three weekends (March 14-15, March 21-22, March 28-29).

The distribution of Holy Communion under the species of wine is always optional (Eucharisticum Mysterium 32). We will be suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood at all Masses effective immediately.  We do have low-gluten hosts available to be consecrated for those with a serious allergy (please notify an usher before Mass), but if that is not sufficient please contact Elizabeth Finke in the Parish Office.

The exchange of the Sign of Peace during Holy Mass is always optional. We will be omitting the exchange of peace at all Masses effective immediately.

The Offertory Procession is always optional.  We will be omitting this at all Masses effective immediately.

A primary population of concern is the elderly who reside in residential facilities. I ask our parishioners who voluntarily bring Holy Communion to these parishioners and to parishioners who are homebound, to suspend their service until further notice.  If an emergency arises, please call the Parish Office or use the prompts for the Emergency Line and I will personally tend to their sacramental needs.

Governor DeWine has asked us to avoid crowds.  If you are healthy, desire to come to Sunday Mass, but are anxious about crowds, consider coming to the less crowded Masses at 5:00 PM Saturdays or 7:30 AM Sundays.  And everyone should feel comfortable to spread out in the pews.  

Governor DeWine has closed all schools for the next three weeks.  Masses for the Wednesdays of March 25 and April 1 will instead be at 8:00 AM in the church.  

What this means for our liturgical celebrations:

Masses, Confessions, and Devotions (Adoration, Stations of the Cross, St. Patrick Novena, etc.) will continue as scheduled.

Sick Calls, Last Rites, Funerals, Baptisms, Confirmations, and Weddings can happen.

Holy Communion can be received on the tongue or in the hand.  The primary option always remains, Catholics receive Holy Communion on the tongue. However, the Church in the United States still retains special dispensation for Holy Communion to be received into the hand.

Holy Water will still be available.


I was really looking forward to the upcoming meals we had planned for next week, but we will need to postpone our Pot O'Luck on Sunday, March 15 and our St. Joseph Breakfast on Thursday, March 19. Let's do them at another time when we can relax and enjoy them a lot more!


All the events related to our Day of Prayer on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, will continue as scheduled.


We take pride in ensuring that our church is clean and we have taken the necessary precautions for all surfaces and there will be sanitizer available for your hands at all the doors of the church.


There are financial unknowns right now too and market volatility, but we do know that our parish expenses will continue, so especially if you are not planning to come to some or any upcoming Sunday Masses for the rest of March and usually contribute to the offertory during Mass, please remember to continue sharing your financial gifts via Electronic Funds Transfer or U.S. Mail.


Lastly, on the lighter side, consider giving yourself the favor of turning off all media for a day or more. Go back to what is real and drop the pixel world. See you soon!


May God reward you and St. Patrick pray for us,


Fr. Hinterschied





St. Charles Borromeo helped Milan through the plague from 1576-1578, pray for us