The Church of Saint Denis

     The Easter baskets that we have all assembled over the years are probably very similar. They are filled with assorted candy, colored eggs, maybe a small toy or two…and don’t forget the Peeps. But they are also somewhat different. Candy will vary based on a person’s particular taste. The chocolate bunny could be solid or hollow, milk or dark or (heaven forbid) even white. Peeps come in all sorts of shapes and colors. Eggs will be decorated according to the creator’s artistic abilities (or, as would be in my case, the lack thereof). And toys can run the gamut from stuffed bunnies and baby chicks to video games and who knows what else.
     However, I think that there is one constant that is a part of virtually every Easter basket that has ever been compiled…that weird “Easter grass” that fills the bottom of them. I guess it does serve a purpose, though… actually, three that I can think of. First, it makes the basket look somewhat “spring-like”. Second, it helps to keep everything in place. And third, it serves as filler, otherwise you’d have to buy more of the other, more expensive stuff so that the basket didn’t look so empty. And for all of those reasons it is a good symbol for us as we celebrate Easter each year.
     We certainly associate Easter with spring…and not just because of the time of year that it falls. Spring is a reminder to us of the fact that everything that dies each winter comes back to life again. The trees are beginning to bud already. That’s what Easter Sunday is about. It is the culmination of the Paschal Mystery, the journey from life…through death…to new life, eternal life. Jesus dies on the cross and then He is raised from the dead. Of course, this doesn’t only pertain to Him. We all have the opportunity to share in this amazing journey that God has set before us…that Jesus went through first…and that we all hope to experience one day.
     Easter grass also helps to keep everything in the basket in place. In a sense, Easter should do the same for our lives. Knowing what God did (and continues to do) for us helps to keep us grounded. Understanding the depth of His love should give us a better perspective on life and how we live it. There are things that are important and there are things that are not. Sometimes, we’re so busy chasing after the things that aren’t, that we forget to stand still so that we can focus on, enjoy, and appreciate the things that are. It’s a lesson that we are all learning very well these days, isn’t it? When things seem like they might be falling apart, it helps to remember that God loves us so much that He would actually die for us. If that doesn’t help to keep us grounded and keep everything in our lives in place, I don’t know what will.
     And it is used as filler. Our lives are filled with filler, aren’t they? When we talk to someone we often chit-chat to fill the otherwise awkward pauses. If we don’t have enough material to complete one of our church bulletins, we look for “filler material” so that there aren’t any empty spaces or pages: a word search, a picture, a quote of some sort all do the trick. And hobbies…interests…activities all fill our lives in one way or another. “Filler” is all around us. But that’s not a bad thing, is it?
     I think that the term or the idea of “filler” might have a somewhat negative connotation to it. It sounds like it’s just there because we needed something to fill the space and that it’s not really all that important. But that isn’t always the case. Sure, there are things that are just there to fill up time or space…but much of the filler in our lives has meaning and can help us. Our chit-chat can bring us information that we never knew about before. Bulletin filler might spark a thought or feeling in someone…and even if it’s just one person, it’s a good thing. Our hobbies and activities can bring us a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment or even of calm and peace. Filler can be a very good thing at times.
     How about our own personal faith? Is it made of real substance or is there a lot of filler in there that doesn’t mean as much as it should? We believe…we say our prayers…we go to Mass…we even live it out at times. These are all very good and important things. But sometimes we might allow them to just be filler…to just “be there”…and not do for us what they are able to do...what we need them to do.
     So, as we assemble our Easter baskets this year, let the Easter grass be a reminder to us that we are not ultimately made for this world…but for the next. Yes, death will come someday, but so will spring…and so will resurrection and eternal life...IF...our faith holds us in place and keeps us from going off in all sorts of different directions that are contrary to it.
     There is a part of each of us that can only be filled by God and what He wants for us. No matter how many other things we try to put in there to fill that space we will continue to feel somewhat empty because nothing else really can. The good news is that we don’t have to ever try to do that because God is always ready, willing and waiting for us to invite Him in to make us whole…to fill us up with His love and His grace. And because of that our “baskets”…our lives will  never really be empty.
 
 
 

As we enter into Holy Week with Palm Sunday this weekend we are probably more aware that we have been over the past few weeks as to how not being able to attend Mass and be together is affecting us all. Although we have not been live streaming Mass from here at St. Denis, as some other parishes have done, we are going to do so for the services of Holy Week. However, these services will obviously not be open to the public. They will be available to you on our Facebook page as well as our parish web page (stdenischurch.org) so that you can join us from your homes. We are still working out the logistics of how to do this so if there are any changes they will be posted on the parish web page. 
 
Here is a listing of the times for the live broadcast but they will also be available on those sites afterwards, as well. 
 
Palm Sunday: Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Sunday, April 5th.
PLEASE NOTE: It was previously stated that palm branches would be available on tables outside the church from 12:00-2:00pm. The note that you will receive in the Easter mailing says this, However, after the mailing went out we received a directive from the Archdiocese that this was not to be done. There are several reasons for this including the fact that larger groups might gather at the same time and people would touch some palms but not take them. For those who like to have the palm branches in their homes, they will be available at a later date. 
 
Holy Thursday: Mass will be celebrated at 7:30 pm on Thursday, April 9th.
We will reserve the Blessed Sacrament on the altar for one hour after the Mass has ended. The camera will continue to show this live in place of the traditional Holy Thursday repository.
 
Good Friday: Service will begin at 3:00 pm on Friday, April 10th.
 
The Divine Mercy Novena will begin immediately after the Good Friday service. To participate on your own for the remainder of the Novena please go to thedivinemercy.org. You will find the Novena under “The Basics”. We will also have copies in the church (they are available now) that you can pick up beforehand and are welcome to take home. The Novena is done each day from Good Friday until Divine Mercy Sunday (April 19th), preferably at 3:00 pm if possible. 
 
Easter Sunday: We will celebrate the Easter Vigil at 7:00 pm on Saturday, April 11th. This will also be available on Easter Sunday morning on the sites mentioned above. 
 
In other news:
 
The church continues to remain open from 8:00 am-7:00 pm daily. However, the rectory office is closed. If you need something please call us at 227-8382. 
 
Fr. Pat and I will hear Confessions again this Saturday (8:00-8:45 am & 3:30-4:30 pm) on the rectory porch. You will be able to see us from the front steps of the church. If there is someone with the priest please stay by the church entrance until they are finished. If you need to come for Confession at another time, please call the rectory first to make an appointment. 
 
We have no choice but to postpone First Communion. We will reschedule when we are able to do so. No final decision has been made for Conformation yet. We will let you know as soon as we do. 
 
Finally, a tremendous “Thank You” to all those who have been dropping off or mailing in their donations as well as those who have now signed up to do so electronically. Your dedication and generosity are inspiring. We know that everyone might not be able to do so at this time and that is understandable, but for those who are we are very grateful. If you would like sign up for electronic giving go to our parish website and look under “About us” for Online Giving. Whatever you are able to give is greatly appreciated. 
 
This will certainly be a Holy Week like no other we have ever experienced. But, although it may feel a bit “odd” it could also help to bring us some new or deeper understanding of these celebrations and our Faith. Let’s try to see them. And let us continue to pray for one another.   
 
Fr. Bob

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE NEEDED

The people of St. Denis have always been very generous so we have never had to ask you for money to help pay our bills. And we thank you for that.  However, with Masses being cancelled we will have little to no income coming in and it won’t be long until this becomes a very real problem for our parish. We know that many of you are also facing financial difficulties as this crisis continues but, if you are able to do so, please mail in your donations or drop them off at the church office if you happen to be out. You can also donate electronically. If you want to sign up for that program please call the office. Thank you for whatever you are able to do.

We have established a one-stop connection between food resources in our
community and those with a critical need for food and other necessities. The Dutchess Responds Food Connection is accessible through this form or residents can
call the County's Coronavirus Information Line (845-486-3555) and select
Option 5

Nuvance Health, in cooperation with Dutchess and Ulster counties, have opened two COVID-19 drive-through collection sites. The sites are the Intermodal Center at Dutchess Stadium on Route 9D in Fishkill (directions) and Tech City at 300 Enterprise Drive in Kingston (directions). Testing is by appointment only and requires a physician's order. Please refer to our press release for more information.
 
Some Scriptural thoughts for these difficult times:
 
Philippians 4:6-7: “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
 
Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not
tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
 
If nothing else, the current situation has shown us all both what we are cap[able of handling and just what we really do need to survive and be happy.
Let us continue to pray for one another.  
 
Fr. Bob

 Although it is not the same as being there, Mass is available on television and online. EWTN (ewtn.com) and the Catholic Faith Network (catholicfaithnetwork.org) are both television channels that broadcast Mass daily. The Mass from Saint Patricks Cathedral
is also available.
Another resource is Magnificant, they are offering complimentary access to it's IOS and Android apps through May. Click Here

To get the latest Parish updates please sign up for Flocknotes, the easy link is at the bottom of the homepage. Or Text SDHJ to 84576.