On February 20th, Monday, we held the Pastoral Council Meeting. During the meeting, we discussed about, whether we should continue live-streaming the Sunday Mass or not. The reason for such a discussion was that the number of the participants for the Sunday Mass, is not as many as it was before COVID. Hence, there is a growing concern that some people ignore the importance of their physical presence in the Mass and receive the Holy Eucharist.

Two years back, when COVID was very infectious and was causing fatal hazard, we decided to live-stream the Sunday Mass, so that our Parishioners might have the satisfaction of viewing it online. Even though the concern about COVID is almost gone now, we still continue live-streaming the Mass, mainly for the sake of the home-bound and for those living in Assisted Living Centers & Nursing Homes.

Truly, we miss very much seeing the families and individuals, who have been regularly coming to the Church for Sunday Mass. I believe that they all view the Mass online; nevertheless, they certainly miss receiving the Holy Eucharist, which is the life-giving spiritual food, Jesus offers us. I wish and pray that their faith in the Eucharist might not decline by watching the live-streamed Mass. Let me ask you to reconsider the importance of the Eucharist for your life of faith. Here is what Jesus says: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. …For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him” (John 6: 53-56).

God bless you

Fr. Arul Joseph V.