Dear St. Madeline Family,

“Arise - Restoring Catholic Life after the Pandemic”. I feel it is best to start slowly and safely for everyone’s benefit.

Yesterday was a reality check for me. Please pray for my Mom as she is in the hospital and needs surgery. She did feel better as she was admitted late last night. I appreciate your prayerful support.

In the ER, I saw up close and personal the anxiety and reality of COVID-19. Nurses and doctors wearing 2 masks and head covering and sanitizing their hands at every opportunity. This is a very real pandemic and the caution to stay safe and healthy is essential. Mom’s nurse was a young mother and she told me she used to hang out with the St. Mad’s girls in her school years. She was very positive and professional. She and her colleagues are true heroes as they work to get others well.

So, with all this in mind, please stay safe as we gradually open Mass for you. You too may need to start slowly and safely. Everyone is still dispensed from the obligation to attend, so for a little while, please stay home if you are elderly, sick, or have any health conditions. The Saturday 4 PM and Sunday 8:30 AM Masses will be live-streamed on St. Madeline Facebook. On Sunday, we will also have the 11 AM and 5 PM Masses. More specific information will also be forwarded. We pray for and look forward to a good start. As Coach Cannon, my O’Hara cross-country coach, preached, “a good start is worth half the finish.”

Today, let us also pray that Jesus will gather us safely and welcome us home. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

“Arise - Restoring Catholic Life after the Pandemic”. This is the name of the Archdiocesan effort to revitalize Church activities over the next few weeks and months, in accordance with the state, local, and CDC health guidelines.

Next weekend, June 6 and 7, local Churches enter the yellow phase and public Mass can resume with specific safety guidelines, to name a few:

• The dispensation from attending Mass is still in effect.
• You may still attend the Livestream Masses.
• Elderly, sick, and those with health conditions should stay home.
• Masks must be worn and social distancing will occur.
• No gatherings allowed before and after Mass.
• Pews will have no missals or papers. You may bring your own.
• Holy Communion will be distributed only on the hand.
• A safe and sanitizing protocol will be followed.
• I feel it is best to start slowly and safely for everyone’s benefit.

As we will begin Mass next Saturday and Sunday, June 6 and 7, there is a sense of excitement, anxiety, and caution for sure. As the Archdiocesan “Arise” program issues their directives, I will forward them to you.

Jesus Christ continues to be the source and summit of our faith. Let’s keep our gaze on Christ and continue to pray for God’s peace and healing.

Today, let us also pray that Jesus will gather us safely and welcome us home. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

Holy joy - St. Philip Neri exemplified this as he is the patron saint of joy and laughter. He was also known as the Second Apostle of Rome, after St. Peter, as he spiritually impacted the Eternal City.

“Believe me, there is no more powerful means to obtain God’s grace than to employ the intercession of the Holy Virgin,” said St. Philip.

Today, let us also pray for the grace of a “holy joy” to walk through life. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

Soldiers, thank you for your service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice – A Grateful Nation.

Marine Corps War Memorial, Arlington, VA
 

We also thank Jesus who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us, so much does He love us.

Today, let us also pray that Jesus may heal the sick and bring about a cleansing and healing in the United States of America and throughout the world. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

Even though Jesus wasn’t with them, Mary, the Apostles, the women, and other disciples “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.” (Acts 1:14) In present times, that is what I’ve seen and heard. Even though we cannot gather together in Church and receive the Holy Eucharist, we gather together at home and we gather by live-streaming our prayer.

And that reminds me, what kind of car did Jesus drive? Many people don’t even realize He drove.  Jesus drove the same kind of car that I drive, a Honda Accord. Jesus and His apostles were all in one accord. LOL. I thought I needed to pitch a changeup.

Join us for Memorial Day Mass tomorrow at 9:30 AM on St. Madeline Facebook Live.

Today, let us also pray that our prayer will lead us to unity and peace. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

The soggy weather mimics our mood as the pandemic drags on. Yet, an imminent yellow phase brings hope. And more so, our hope is the eternal light of Christ that enlightens our souls.

Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) We have a yellow phase, good. More information will follow soon about church directives. We have the light of the world which energizes our hearts to be a people of hope and joy.

Today, let us also pray that the true light of the world will have mercy on us and dispel the darkness. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

It’s hard to believe that Memorial Day weekend is here. While the pandemic has lost track of time, we believe that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus stands outside of time and invites us to join Him on the journey.

The following is from “Gift and Mystery” by Pope John Paul II: “I am convinced that priests should have no fear of being ‘outside time,’ because the human ‘today’ of every priest is part and parcel of the ‘today’ of Christ the Redeemer. The greatest kind of fulfillment for any priest at any time is to find in daily life his priestly ‘today’ in the ‘today’ of Christ.” This can apply to you and me.

While our daily life has changed with this pandemic, we must stay spiritually focused and fulfilled in Christ the Redeemer. Jesus knows the ending and is willing to walk with us and carry us to that point. May God strengthen our faith, or as Andrew Peterson sings, "Faith to Be Strong" (Carried Along).

Today, let us also pray to daily find our greatest fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

The Ascension of Jesus reminds us:

• Like the Apostles, we are called to witness to the good news of Jesus.
• Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit who grants us a spiritual wisdom and knowledge.
• And it’s always good to know, “I am with you always until the end of the age.”

Today, let us also pray to Jesus Himself, on His Ascension Feast, that He will be very close to us and to anyone in need. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

Today is the feast of St Lydia. She was a lay businesswoman who dealt in fine purple cloth. Lydia was also Paul’s 1st convert. As we may be more used to saints who are religious sisters, monks, and priests, Lydia is certainly different. That’s a good reminder for us that God made us all different and created us to strive to be saints. My definition of a saint is someone who never gives up, one who perseveres on the journey. As the pandemic seems unending, let’s stay safe, consistent, and be resolved to persevere on the road that God has given us.

Today, let us also pray to St. Lydia and to our patron saints for our many intentions. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan

Dear St. Madeline Family,

With a windy day upon us, my thoughts and ears turned to, “The Answer is Blowing in the Wind” by Peter, Paul, and Mary. The answers surrounding the pandemic are just not concretely known. How many people…? When will we get back to normal? Why? We just don’t quite know.

A book that has always stuck with me is “Christ is the Answer” by John Saward, one of my seminary professors. While we may have questions for Christ when we get to those pearly gates, He will truthfully respond, but even more so, Christ is the answer. Jesus Christ is the answer to our prayers, our saving grace, and the source and summit of our Christian life. As we walk along on a windy day, maybe ponder the questions and answers circling your brain. Then, just consider Christ in your life. And that is your final answer. We may not achieve world peace today, but our greatest achievement this day and every day is to be at peace with Christ.

Today, let us also pray for the peace of Christ in our lives and in our worlds. Please contact me with any prayer requests, concerns, or good news.

Let us stand united in prayer and united as St. Madeline Church. God bless all.

Peace,
Fr. John Flanagan