Dear Confirmation candidates & families,
 
I am writing with an update on how recent events have affected our parish Confirmation program.  First and foremost, please rest assured that you will certainly be able to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation at the end of the present distress, even if your originally-scheduled date should end up being rescheduled.
 
Last week, I heard a priest ask the bishop what his expectations were as far as completing our Confirmation preparation curriculum for the year, given the cancellation of classes and church closures. The bishop's answer was beautiful: "We'll let Jesus and the Holy Spirit work through the Sacrament!"  In other words, if anyone in the second year of Confirmation prep had something left undone before the COVID-19 outbreak, such as service hours still to complete or a lesson that had been missed, no one will be denied the Sacrament of Confirmation because of any missing "requirements".
 
At this point, it is my expectation that there will be no Baptisms or Confirmations at the Easter Vigil on Saturday, April 11th.  Anyone who was preparing for Sacraments at that time will be able to receive them later, once public Masses resume.
 
At this point, I have not received any announcement affecting our scheduled Confirmation date of 22 April (at the Cathedral).  I will let you know if that changes.
 
The candidate/sponsor retreat originally scheduled for this Saturday is canceled.  I will let you know when we are able to re-schedule group meetings.  But in the meantime: the role of our Confirmation sponsor is to help us see the events of life through the eyes of faith.  Now would be a great time to talk to your sponsor about how you can understand the events unfolding around us as a person of faith.
 
Finally, I have some sad news to share.  Like all churches, St. John's as a community has not only faced the sorrow of not being able to gather on Sundays, but one consequence of that fact is that we lose out on our weekly Sunday collection, which is the majority of our revenue.  I have therefore eliminated some staff positions at St. John's, including that of Pastoral Associate for Youth formerly held by Ms. Barbara Lake.  I am sorry to add yet one more burden to the many that you are already bearing during this time, as I know that Barbara has been not only a teacher but a friend and mentor to many.
 
Remaining staff members are working limited hours, but please know that I am available to answer any questions or receive any prayer requests.  You can contact me at this email address or call the office at 585-352-5481.  The main office voicemail is checked at least once each day, and the recording contains information on how to immediately reach a priest in the event of an emergency.  Inquiries of a general nature can be sent to the mail parish email address: sstjohnc@dor.org.
 
Please know that, although we are not now able to gather around God's altar, I continue to celebrate Mass each day and to remember you there.
 
God bless,
Fr. Peter
 

Children with special needs: http://www.dor.org/getting-involved-in-your-faith/sacraments/sacraments-for-people-with-special-needs/

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