News - June 2020 RSS Feed

Even amid the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the United States in recent days has experienced profound reminders of the legacies of its interconnected histories of lynching and brutal, racially disparate policing, histories that span American regions. In February, several white men in Glynn County, Georgia, shot and killed Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old African American jogger whom they claimed may have committed burglary. Local authorities initially failed to charge Travis and Gregory McMichael in Arbery’s death. After media coverage and national scrutiny, Georgia authorities brought charges in May against the McMichaels and a third man, William “Roddie” Bryan Jr., who had filmed Arbery’s killing.

Ten years ago, things weren’t looking so great for this organ. Holy Cross was ramping up to start a massive redecorating project. At the last minute, contractors decided that the organ had to be removed. When we removed its hundreds of components from what was to have been short-term storage, we found that more than the original water damage was now visible.

On June 24th, 2020, our parish of Holy Cross—St. John the Baptist celebrates one of our two patronal feasts. This represents 180 years of life and mission in the Roman Catholic tradition, as the first eucharist at St. John the Baptist church was celebrated on the 28th of June in the year 1840. A multi-generational witness in the heart of Manhattan to the light coming into the world.

At the inception of the year 2020, evidence mounted rapidly of a novel and lethal virus spreading throughout the globe. Possibly an inter-species contagion involving bats and humans, its origins likely traced to China. However, as of this writing, there remains much to learn of its murky origins and baffling transmission. Likewise, our grasp of the vital knowledge required for the development of satisfactory treatment and prevention yet evolves.

For those of a certain age, this feast is one steeped in pomp and pageant.  Elaborate the choreography.  The eucharistic Body of Christ solemnly carried through the local neighborhood announcing the depth of Catholic faith and practice in Holy Eucharist.   Alas, we are not yet in a healthy enough environment to enter into the eucharistic assembly for the celebration of Sunday mass.  Given the uncertainties surrounding the transmission of this virus bedeviling us all, we must forgo our participation in the communion procession.  Forestall our reception of the Body and Blood of Christ.  Delay our AMEN of assent and belief.