Update/reflection from Fr. Gratton (5 April, 2020):

N.B. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered today for All of our Parishioners and for the Deceased Members of the Connelly & Galecki Families (by Ginny & Ron Galecki)
 
Important Updates:

1. I mentioned this in one of my earlier updates, but please know that the Sacraments of Confession and The Anointing of the Sick are still available for anyone in an emergency. Please call the rectory (802-234-9916), and a time can be set up to meet on the front porch for Confession, or the priest will travel to anoint anyone in a life and death scenario.
2. The palms were blessed at Mass, this morning, and I will store them in my garage until we can all be together once again.
3. To help continue your weekly tithe to the church, please feel free to donate quickly and easily on our website: https://ourladyvt.org/online-giving

 
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Reflection on the daily Mass readings http://usccb.org/bible/readings/040520.cfm
 
Whooosh! The last 36 hours have been a whirlwind for me.

I have been running around all yesterday and today, trying to catch up on everything and put things in order—both for Fr. Rensch who will be arriving soon, and for my upcoming National Guard duties. I have been paying last minute bills; mailing out last minute mail; cleaning the rectory, talking on the phone with countless Commanders and Soldiers to prepare for my upcoming tasks, packing for my duties (which could last 30 days or more), and on top of that I am technically on my Drill Weekend right now, so I have had to do multiple hours long tests online for certification in various subject areas.

As I finally found a time to take a breather, today, I began to pray in silence. I wondered what I would write to all of you, and more importantly, I wondered if I would find any time to actually get my thoughts down on paper.

I let God come into my silence. He touched my heart, and I began to smile. He reminded me that over the past 4 years as a priest, I had always asked my parishioners to simply sit in silence after we listened to the Passion Narrative. I smiled to myself because I was reminded that words are not necessary this day—they never have been. The words of the Gospel say it all. They show us the courage of our God and His relentless Love for us, despite the pain. They show us what Love truly looks like. They show us the Heart of God.

I never preached after this Gospel passage on Palm Sunday because I never felt there was a need; my words could only fall short of what we just heard in the Gospel.

Well, why break the tradition now?

May we take the time to read through the Passion Narrative today, slowly, quietly, intentionally. May we let the words of Matthew’s Gospel sink deep into our very souls. May we enter into our Lord’s witness of Love. And after we have read those beautiful and heart-wrenching words, may we just sit in silence. The silence is a gift.

It was in silence where He reminded me of who I am, today—that I did not need words this day. No words…only Him.
We began this journey of Lent together in silence. May we begin this Holy week in the same manner. And may we never forget that God does His best work when we finally stop, and just listen for His loving voice in the silence.

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This will most likely be my last daily reflection for a while. I am sure Fr. Rensch will take very good care of all of you, and I will be sure to send updates on my ministry as often as I can. Please keep me in your fervent prayers, and you can be assured that you are always in mine.

I love you all so very much. God bless you, and Happy Passion (Palm) Sunday!

In Christ,

Fr. Gratton