A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

A message from our Pastor, Fr. Andrew Umberg

Dear St. Joseph Parishioners,

Happy Easter! The Lord is Risen as He promised, Alleluia! We are now in the seven-week long celebration of this world-changing and life-changing event.  I was happy to see how many of you have watched the Sacred Triduum at St. Joseph and many Sunday and weekday Masses that we have live-streamed over the last month. Our parish secretary, Dana Bresser, is usually camera woman, using her phone. On occasion, Dave Scholl, husband of our DRE, Beth Scholl, fills in as camera man, using his phone (Dave Scholl told us how to do this live-streaming and has lent his camera tripod to us — thank you Dave!). Unfortunately, as many of you have noticed, some days we do not have sound. I am most sorry that our beautiful Easter Sunday morning liturgy, which sounded great in church, was a silent movie for those at home. (The only time it is silent on purpose is during distribution of communion.) I want to assure you that we do everything we can to produce a quality livestream. However, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. We considered having a camera hard-wired to a system that would offer livestreaming to you, but the business that does this is closed because of the coronavirus. The good news is that, due to Dana’s and Dave’s generosity, this livestreaming doesn’t cost the parish a dime.

As you know, there is hot debate about reopening the country and returning to normal life. I have speculated that sometime in May we might be able to have public Masses again. (Is this wishful thinking on my part?) Whenever the Bishops begin to allow public Masses, I believe that they will continue to dispense the faithful from their Sunday obligation through some or most of the summer.

I apologize for not yet arranging to have my Lenten bible class videos (the three-part “Whirlwind Tour of the Bible”) posted on the website; I still need to do a little bit of editing. If you haven’t tried reading the New Testament, one chapter a day, you might begin that; it’s never too late! Also, reading the Acts of the Apostles (at any pace) is informative, edifying and entertaining.  Other than to wish all of you health and mental sanity during the rest of this time of stay-at-home coronavirus mitigation, I would like to offer a few entertainment suggestions during this time when you are running out of ideas (and we are getting close to re-run season);

Jane Austen, the famous English author from the early nineteenth century, wrote several novels four of which have acquired enduring fame. If you don’t like to read, the wonder of television and movies is there to help you.  There are fairly recent movies with famous Hollywood stars in them; Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Persuasion. There is also a BBC/A&E Pride and Prejudice series that is available for purchase on Amazon and other sites where videos are sold (I assure you, I own no stock in any of the media companies involved in any of these entertainment recommendations). This 1995 Pride and Prejudice series runs about five hours. I am so enthusiastic about the quality and entertainment value of this series that I have recommended it to many people throughout my life.  The story has many characters and items of nineteenth century English culture that can be confusing to the first time viewer. Because of my belief in the greatness of this series, I have recently written an “orientation commentary” for anyone who chooses to take my advice and watch it. (To benefit from it, you would not have to study it; just look it over and keep it as a handy reference.) This commentary is on our website:  CLICK HERE FOR ORIENTATION COMMENTARIES ON PRIDE & PREJUDICE.  Please let me know if you watch the show, and we can discuss it, thus adding to our pastime.

I recently watched a 2008 documentary movie on Youtube, entitled, “The Wrecking Crew”. I had seen it at an independent movie theater when it first came out, and I had to watch it when Youtube suggested it to me. As a documentary, it starts off kind of slow, but it tells the story through interviews, of a group of studio musicians, also known as session musicians. This group of talented people played much of the instrumental music on the hit rock & roll records of the 1960’s. There is a lot of interesting information for the fan of the pop music of that era. I highly recommend it.  

Another video that you might have to purchase to watch would be “Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night”. This 1988 video was once featured on public television and has Roy Orbison performing his many great songs with an all-star band and back-up singer section. If you like Roy Orbison and his gut-wrenching lyrics, that video is for you.  

While I am on music ideas, here are two more: Find a copy of Linda Rondstadt’s first Greatest Hits Album (the cover has her face and a maroon background), or watch your favorite piece of classical music on Youtube (they will come up with a lot of other suggestions for classical music performances that you may like).

I hope some of you find these to be entertaining ideas. Know that I continue to pray for you and for an end to this pandemic crisis.  God bless you and your families.

Sincerely Yours in Christ,

Fr. Andrew J. Umberg