Category: Homepage News & Events

PLEASE SEE THIS WEEK’S [PALM SUNDAY BULLETIN] FOR DETAILS ON JOINING BISHOP NOONAN FROM ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL FOR THE LIVE-STREAMED LITURGIES OF HOLY WEEK & EASTER

COVID-19 UPDATES & DIRECTIVES

You may access the Diocese of Orlando website for specific updates from the Diocese & Our Bishop

https://www.orlandodiocese.org/under-your-protection-we-seek-refuge-holy-mother-of-god/

All Weekend & Weekday Masses, visitation to the Church and other public sanctuaries, and all parish liturgical events are suspended until further notice.

Catholics can make an Act of Spiritual Communion

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion which is a source of grace.  Spiritual Communion means uniting one’s self in prayer with Christ’s sacrifice and worshiping Him in His Body and Blood.  The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass.  Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus,

I believe that You

are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love You above all things,

and I desire to receive You into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment

receive You sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace You as if You were already there

and unite myself wholly to You.

Never permit me to be separated from You.

Amen

As we have all been experiencing the reality of these troubling days, the whole world is in a rapidly changing coronavirus situation that none of us have experienced before now.  Every one of our lives is being affected in some way physically, emotionally, socially, and economically.  We are especially conscious of those in our communities and throughout the world who are most vulnerable to this virus and pray sincerely for them and their caregivers.

Let us please remember that during this stressful situation, we are a people of faith, especially as we are facing this health crisis in the season of Lent, which calls us to direct our hearts to a suffering Jesus on a cross.

Finally, when your spirit may be worn by all that is being demanded of you now in sacrifices, anxieties, and inconveniences, may we all remember the comforting promise of Jesus Christ who said to us: “Come, to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest; for I am meek and humble of heart [Matthew 11:28-29].”

Fr. Ben Berinti, CPPS, Pastor

Words for Our People in Diaspora

In this space, Fr. Ben Berinti, C.PP.S our Pastor shares messages of support, consolation, humor, and updates during this time of separation due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Check in here every few days to stay connected with our parish in diaspora (that’s the fancy Bible word for “being scattered from our homeland”)!

Friday, April 3

It took a little longer than we expected, but then again, copying, signing, stuffing, labeling and mailing over 900 letters take a while!  That’s right, the pastoral letter I promised earlier this week should be arriving any day now, if not already in your hands.  And yes…I DID actually hand-sign “Fr. Ben” to all 900+ of them!  I figured this was the least I could do to send, aside from the sentiments in my letter, something of a personal touch to you (wore gloves but no mask).  While “letters” and “cursive signature” are things mostly unknown to Gen-Xers, Millennials, and Gen-Yers—I suspect that many of our parishioners still enjoy getting real mail that you can hold in your hand—that’s not a bill or solicitation!  Unfortunately, the envelope didn’t contain and economic stimulus, but I hope it lifted your spirits nonetheless.

Wednesday, April 1

As everyone is challenged to find ways to remain calm and safe during our forced hibernation, I am turning to an old favorite…ironing [and that’s no April Fool]!  “Socially distanced” from the assistance of our wonderful “altar linen ladies,” I have taken up duties to launder our altar linens.  Thankfully, there are not as many these days.  Lots of people despise ironing, but I have always loved it—for three reasons: 1. it is precision personified; 2. you directly see the result of your efforts (unlike so many things in life); 3. it brings some order in this chaotic world.  Don’t worry ladies, you can have your jobs back once the plague is ended; but for now I’m happy to be IRONING ON!  

Sunday, March 30

Dear Parishioners: I returned from my mother Bernadine’s funeral and time with my family on Tuesday of this past week.  It has been quite a roller coaster of emotions and challenges, but I have been sustained by the kind and generous expressions of sympathy, prayer, Masses and other well-wishes by so many of you, as well as from friends and members of my Precious Blood family.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

I celebrated the 5th Sunday of Lent in our church this morning; so please continue to find my Sunday homilies posted here on our website.  It is an eerie feeling being in an empty church, with the air conditioning turned off, and hearing nothing but the sound of my own voice.  I pray that this time of separation ends sooner rather than later!

As you will find in more detail under the Diocesan section of this homepage, all liturgies continued to be suspended through Easter Sunday, and could extend beyond.  You can find specific information regarding Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday by clicking the diocesan link.  All the liturgies of Holy Week will be celebrated here in our church, but continue to be closed to the public.  Palms will be blessed and will be distributed at a future date yet to be determined.  Some elements of these most sacred liturgies will be scaled back given the circumstances, but know that you can join me in “spiritual communion” during the times I will be offering the Masses and services of Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Holy Week, the Sacred Triduum and Easter.  Times will be posted later.

All registered parishioners (that means we have your address) will be receiving a letter in the US mail sometime later this week.  For your continuing spiritual enrichment, my radio Pilgrimage resumes this week on WDMC AM 920, and we will complete the journey in the next two weeks.  Also, I am recording the segments I would have presented at Soup ‘N Bible Study on the Gospel Passion narratives and posting them on this website.  You can find these under the “Faith Formation” drop-down menu/Adult Formation”. 

Check back every few days for more to come.  Be well, be healthy and may God protect us all!

BEGINNING MONDAY, MARCH 30 OUR PARISH OFFICE IS CLOSED TO WALK-IN VISITS DURING REGULAR HOURS, MONDAY-FRIDAY 8:30 am-5:00 pm… IF YOU NEED TO STOP BY, PLEASE CALL AHEAD FOR AN APPOINTMENT

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF BISHOP JOHN NOONAN, IN COOPERATION WITH EFFORTS TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS, REGULARLY SCHEDULED CELEBRATION OF ALL WEEKDAY & WEEKEND MASSES, ALL LITURGICAL EVENTS FOR THE FAITHFUL IN PARISH CHURCHES AND OTHER PUBLIC SANCTUARIES ARE SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  VISITATION TO THE CHURCH TO PRAY, ALL PARISH PROGRAMS, BIBLE STUDIES, PRAYER GROUPS, AND MINISTRIES ARE SUSPENDED OR CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  THE ADORATION CHAPEL IS ALSO CLOSED.  IF YOU ARE IN A MINISTRY THAT ALLOWS YOU TO HAVE A KEY TO THE CHURCH, YOU ARE INSTRUCTED NOT TO USE THAT KEY TO GO INTO THE CHURCH OR PARISH HALL FOR THE DURATION OF THIS HEALTH CRISIS.  Thank You! Fr. Ben Berinti, C.PP.S., Pastor

OUR PARISH STAFF CONTINUE TO WORK WHILE FOLLOWING HEALTH PROTOCOLS, BUT PHONE CALLS, (321)725-0552, OR EMAILS, OFFICE@ICPARISHMB.ORG, ARE THE PREFERRED METHOD OF CONTACT AT THIS TIME.  AS ALWAYS, FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS AFTER HOURS, CALL (321)725-0552 & OUR ANSWERING SERVICE WILL CONTACT ONE OF OUR PRIESTS.