Ascension Parish and Saint Katharine Drexel Parish issued the following announcement on September 6.

“Social distancing“ is an interesting term. On one hand, it’s a goal we’ve set for ourselves, as a way to work toward individual and community health. On the other hand though, social distance, a feeling of isolation, is an effect of the physical distance between persons. The feeling of social isolation, of psychological, social, and relational distance, is very real.  Part of the difficulty in today’s world, easily noticed in our nation and in our local areas, is the stirred-up tension between competing points of view. Jesus today counsels us that when we are unable to resolve an ongoing disagreement, we should bring it to the Church. We should consult Church teachings and Church leaders. I am very thankful for the many resources available in the US Catholic Bishops’ website. Moreover, I am beyond grateful for the clear leadership that our own bishop and pastor have provided for us during this time. Even if our gathering numbers are smaller, and perhaps even at times only two or three are gathered in the name of Jesus, we must have faith in the words of our Gospel for today.  This is the good news we long to hear: Jesus is with us. We are not abandoned. Ever. Wherever we go, whatever we do, Jesus is there, walking with us. Jesus, God, takes it all upon himself. He has crucified our worst sins and accomplished our greatest triumphs. If we wish to think, speak, and act in cooperation with God’s plan for us, all we need to do to is listen to his voice with hearts that are not hardened. Practically speaking, if this means we need to go to confession, to unburden our interior heart from the hardness of sin, so that we can hear God’s voice, we should do so as soon as safely possible. Likewise, if we need to soften our hearts outwardly, to forgive someone for something, we should do our best to take active steps toward that end.  The obligatory requirement to attend Mass has been lifted during this pandemic, and this adjustment continues. However, within our small number of close contacts, our “Covid bubbles” I’ve heard them called, even if they’re only two or three persons, we can rest assured that when we pray and act in the Holy Name of Jesus, Our Lord is there with us. When we keep the holy commandment of love, Jesus is here with us. When we pray a Rosary for refugees suffering in a distant land, when we donate to a food bank, when we work for true and lasting justice, when we support our Church’s mission of mercifully proclaiming the good news, our Savior is with us. When, out of love for each other, we follow health and safety guidelines, Jesus is with us. As Our Lord promises, “Behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

Original source can be found here.