Chris now sleeps, awakens and exercises the muscles energetically (we should take some lessons from this).  Turning of the head, curling of the toes, making a fist, opening and closing the mouth while “breathing” the amniotic fluid to help develop the respiratory system.  Chris is very active in the womb.  Chris is still a lightweight—weighing about one ounce—about as much as a letter.  If the doctor uses a Fetal Doppler, it won’t be the weather that is seen but the baby’s heartbeat is heard which sounds like galloping horses.

“But the angel said to him, Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard…”  Luke 1:13

The Third Month

May 25 to June 25

Faith-filled Joseph, believing the revelation that he is to be the protector of the Messiah, bravely stands by Mary’s side, offering his strength and sense of mission as her body begins to accommodate her child.  How many fathers have abandoned the mothers of their children?  Indeed, how many fathers who have treasured a child never know of its existence or of its terrible end?  Babies are denied life who can at this stage hear, open and close their lips, hiccup and suck their thumbs.  At three inches, the baby now begins to kick, curl and fan toes, make a fist, and practice breathing.

Pray for all fathers that they may use the awesome power of life-giving to be a true protector.

Good Shepherd and St. Robert

Guidelines for the celebration of Mass

Starting May 22-23, 2021, Pentecost Sunday.

            The dispensation from the obligation to participate in every Sunday and Holy Day Mass will expire in our diocese on Pentecost (the weekend of May 22-23, 2021). This means that starting in a few weeks, most of us should be at Mass.

            We believe now is the right time to update our guidelines for Masses at Good Shepherd and St. Robert. This update is connected to our bishop’s recommendations for parishes in our diocese. A part of this return is connected both to a greater understanding of the risks at Mass (or lack thereof) and greater immunity among the general population to the coronavirus, thus allowing for less restriction.

Our New Guidelines are as follows:

• Keep wearing a mask (We will probably ask everyone to keep wearing a mask until we get to 70% vaccines in the state among those 16 and older, or it’s clear all those that want a vaccine have had the opportunity to get one, whichever happens first.  Probably sometime this summer.)
• Sing at Mass, if you desire. You are welcome to join in singing the Mass and the hymns. We will also be returning the hymnals to our pews
• All pews will be available for seating.  Sit where you want.
• Processions with servers before and after Mass will take place.
• We will invite parishioners to bring up the gifts.
• We will continue to distribute Holy Communion on one side and then switch to the other side as we have been doing this past year.  (We will return to inviting both sides to come up at the same time when we stop asking everyone to wear a mask at Mass.)
• The Holy Water will be returned to our entrance receptacle and baptismal font and will be refreshed/changed twice a week.
• Enter and exit at all doors.
• We will return to normal cleaning of the church.

For the time being:

• No sign of peace.
• No distribution of the Eucharist under both Species (no offering of the Precious Blood)
• We will wait until our bishop indicates he would like us to return to offering these options at Mass.  He has not given a specific date on when this will happen.

Looking forward:

• Coffee and Donuts starting back up in the fall.
• Funeral Luncheons: coming back soon. No specific date yet (but probably also in the fall.)

Some of the Rationale Helping Form our New Guidelines for Masses

 Starting May 22-23, 2021 Pentecost Sunday

            Spreading events are not Mass.  It is other activities that the population is choosing to do.  From the beginning our bishop has been clear that the goal of the changes at Masses (and for a time suspending public Masses) was not to stop the pandemic (this wasn’t possible anymore, despite what some have been saying), but to help us more clearly understand what we are dealing with, for Masses not to become super spreader events, and to help hospitals not be overwhelmed.  At this point, it is clear that our approach to Mass has accomplished these goals.

            From what I have experienced, people have been very good at staying away from Mass if they are sick. This factor undoubtably has contributed to why Masses are not spreading events.  I don’t imagine this will change at this point.  This means returning to singing and opening up all our pews is not greatly (or perhaps even slightly) increasing the risk of spreading the coronavirus.

            When it comes to returning to singing at our Masses:  Other parishes have been singing either for several months or several weeks.  No spreading incidences are occurring.  At our parishes, we took a more cautious approach.  We are benefiting from actual reality, helping us see that singing now is a good way forward.

            When looking at social distancing:  Some parishes have been at over 50% and not fully socially distanced (6 feet) for months without problems.

            All our decisions thus far have kept everyone safe.  Since last spring, we have been doing things differently than the general state guidelines.  We have been allowed to do this because of religious exemption, thanks be to God.  Lived reality is showing us that throughout everything that has taken place in our state and country, Mass is not a high risk event.  Other activities are, but not Mass.

            Our bishop has asked us to return to singing and not restricting capacity.  I agree with this request.  As more and more of us either are vaccinated or have chosen not to receive a vaccine, it means every day more and more of us should be at Mass and there is no need for any restrictions at Mass.

            Who is not obligated to be at Mass starting at Pentecost (May 22-23)?

            You are not obliged to be at Sunday and Holy Day Masses if you are sick or caring for someone who is sick. (FYI: the next Holy Day of Obligation isn’t until November 1.)  This is especially true if you have symptoms of a contagious sickness, like Covid or the flu.  Then you shouldn’t come to Mass for the sake of others.

            In connection to the coronavirus, if you are in a high risk category (talk to your doctor to determine this) and waiting for a vaccine, you are not obligated to come.  If you are caring for someone who is high risk and are still waiting for the vaccine, you are not obligated to come. 

            May reason and faith guide our decisions and not fear, or even trying to eliminate one bodily danger from our lives at the cost of other necessary, more important goods for our happiness, like the Mass.  Whatever tomorrow brings, God will be with us.  May we let our Good Shepherd lead us

-Fr. Jon

  Fr. Prabhu Lakra is coming in July.  He will be our new parochial vicar.  I am deeply grateful for his coming and that we will be blessed to have two priests here.  Fr. Prabhu (Prah-boo) is from the same diocese in India as Fr. Louis.  He was ordained a priest in 2002 and has been in our diocese since 2006.  Some of you may remember him as he stayed at St. Robert briefly with Fr. Louis and Fr. Roy just after he arrived here.  He has been serving at St. Gerard (both now and earlier), and he also was at St. Joseph in Howell and St. Francis in Ann Arbor. I learned recently that he is a good cook, so I am looking forward to enjoying Indian food with him!                                              

            Please keep Fr. Prabhu in your prayers, and in a special way his family as he has several family members in India who are sick with COVID.

~ Fr. Jon

Save the date!! The 2nd annual Blessing of the Bikes will be held at Good Shepherd rain or shine on Sunday, June 27 following the 11:15 a.m. Mass. Be there by 12:15 for the blessing. There will be a Poker Run / Food & Drinks / T-Shirts and a Raffle. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus Council #8669. Cost is $20 per bike and $10 per passenger. All proceeds will be donated to My Brothers Keeper of Genesee County for homeless veterans. Bikes & Cars welcome.

3rd Annual Fr. Anthony Classic Car Show

June 11 at St. Robert Parish in Flushing.  Line up begins at 2 p.m.

Mustang Raffle

First Prize: Mustang GT Coupe Premium* (2 yr lease 15,000 miles per year) or $30,000

Second Prize: $3000

Ticket price $20 each
**Reverts to 50/50 if under 3000 tickets sold.

Get your tickets HERE

Drawing will be held 6-11-2021 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Robert Bellarmine, Flushing
need not be present to win.

Attention men age 17 1/2 or older.  If you are interested in joining the Knights of Columbus  you can join for free until June 30.  Go to the Knights of Columbus website at kofc.org and click on join.  Enter promo code: MCGIVNEY2020.