FORTY HOURS begins this evening with Sung Evening Prayer at 7pm, followed by our first Lenten Series Talk by Dr. Kim Belcher (page 9).  All are asked to sign up for hours or half hours of adoration during the nights and days between Monday evening and Close of Forty Hours with Benediction on Tuesday evening at 8:30pm.  Sign up sheets are available in the vestibule of the church.  Consider signing up a time for your parish ministry or group to come and pray together before the Blessed Sacrament.  Take advantage of the talks, Morning and Evening Prayer, and Masses offered during this time of our annual parish retreat of forty hours of adoration.

 Lenten LIVING STONES are back.  You are welcome to place a stone from the container to in front of the altar, symbolic of those you have already asked to return to the church, so that our whole community might be reminded to pray for them.  If supply is low, please be patient; we will bring more the next week.

 The Bishop’s Lenten Appeal is underway  and we are asking every household in our parish to support this appeal to the extent you are able.   BLA funds are restricted gifts that provide many programs, services and ministries that serve people in need, and may not be used for any other purpose. 

 Inclement weather policy: Saint Bernadette Parish and School follows the Fairfax County School System regarding closings for snow and other inclement weather. An announcement will be made even on Saturdays and Sundays because the school buildings are used for extracurricular and community activities on the weekends. Please take this policy into account when scheduling use of Parish facilities during winter months.

Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

The topic on everyone's mind which is growing greater each day is the spread of the coronavirus.  For a while we hoped that it would not find its way too nearby, but as I write this column we already have several cases in Maryland.  The conference I'm co-chairing in Houston in a few weeks has lost our keynote speaker because he will not be able to travel here from Rome.  I'm hoping the entire conference is not canceled.  As we begin to feel the effects, our hearts go out to all those who have been suffering from the illness as well as the loss of loved ones, and we pray for the skills of scientists and doctors to develop a vaccine quickly.

Bishop Burbidge sent a message to priests last week in response to people who had contacted him with concerns.  He encouraged us to exercise common sense in responding to the many opinions and instructions that we are receiving from various parishioners.  I have learned again that we are very rich in opinions!  But I do think it is time that we make some adjustments in the way we celebrate Mass.

For a time we will suspend the practice of Communion under both forms.  During regular times and even flu seasons we have not suspended this practice, because everyone is free to choose whether they wish to receive from the Cup or not.  Eucharistic Ministers, however, do not have a choice and I do not want them to be unnecessarily exposed to this virus.  Once it seems contagion has subsided, we will resume the practice of Communion under both forms.

I would also like to make the suggestion during this time of contagion that you consider receiving Communion in the hand.  At every Mass the Eucharistic Minister gets licked on the fingers, resulting in a situation where something could be passed very easily, certainly to the next person who licks, but also on everyones' Hosts.  This is not a requirement, just a consideration that I am asking of you.

We are not going to cancel the sign of peace.  I know many parishes have, but I suspect there may be more of an reason there than simple public health.  You have the choice now of how to extend a sign of peace to those around you; it doesn't require physical contact.  From the altar it looks like everyone is spread out and just waving at each other already.  I suggest one possible, very nice, reverent exchange of peace is a slight bow to one another and a quiet greeting.  

We have discussed back and forth about the purchase of hand sanitizer stations at the doors of the church.  The demand of keeping them stocked is unrealistic, as they would constantly need to be filled, unsupervised children everyday would be into them.  And we can't risk being blamed for someone getting the virus because our dispensers were empty.  Everyone needs to be vigilant about hand washing and sanitizing all the time, and we are only one hour in your week.  If this is a concern, please consider bringing your own hand sanitizer to church (BYOHS). We probably should all be carrying a small bottle with us wherever we go.

~  ~  ~  ~

As we begin the season of Lent, it occurs to me that we need to reshape our culture to be a culture of mutual respect. The Truth must be our mission, it is hard to find today.  It seems that everyone (even "Church" people) have a license to say whatever they want and claim its true.  Especially with the unaccountability of being anonymous on the internet, it is possible to talk about each other and make public statements without even knowing the person we might be excoriating.  The Truth is still the Truth even if we have decided we know everything and don't agree.  Every once in a while you come across the raw hate and ugliness out there and it takes your breath away.

I remember learning in school about what it means to bear false witness.  We were told it is like going to the top of a tall tower and ripping open a feather pillow on a windy day.  You never get to take back words or undo the damage of your words, even if they are true.  We must be very careful with the reputation of others.  Even if that reputation doesn't fit our expectations, it is necessary to find in ourselves the mercy that will allow that person to change, if needed.   

It was refreshing to be in the Middle East where the news actually included world events and developments that were not overshadowed or shaped by opinion or self-interest, or American politics.  It was refreshing to learn about something other than campaigns and criticism.  It was nice to be in a place (ironically, the Middle East) where everything you heard was not said through a filter of "us and them." 
Ultimately, it is unity and mutual respect, even reverence, that the Lord requires, to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.  It is easier, I think, than we believe.  This is a good starting point in Lent.

God bless you.

 Next week FORTY HOURS begins on Sunday, with Sung Evening Prayer at 7pm, followed by our first Lenten Series Talk by Dr. Kim Belcher (see p. 6 for details).  All are asked to sign up for hours or half hours of adoration during the nights and days between Monday evening and Close of Forty Hours with Benediction on Tuesday evening at 8:30pm.  Sign up sheets are available in the vestibule of the church.  Consider signing up a time for your parish ministry or group to come and pray together before the Blessed Sacrament.  Take advantage of the talks, Morning and Evening Prayer, and Masses offered during this time of our annual parish retreat of forty hours of adoration.

 Lenten LIVING STONES are back.  You are welcome to place a stone from the container to in front of the altar, symbolic of those you have already asked to return to the church, so that our whole community might be reminded to pray for them.  If supply is low, please be patient; we will bring more the next week.

 Each and every registered family is asked to support the work of the Catholic Church in the annual Bishop’s Lenten Appeal. If you have not already done so, please consider making a pledge to this important appeal that funds many programs and ministries that serve the people in our diocese. 

 Saint Bernadette’s winter food drive for the St. Lucy Project is the weekend of March 7/8. Blue grocery bags with lists of needed items will be distributed after Masses on February 29 and March 1. The St. Lucy Project partners with food banks in our diocese to distribute food to those in need. Please pray for the success of the food drive and help by filling one or more bags with needed items and returning it the weekend of March 7/8.