Holy Family Catholic Church will be open Sunday mornings from 10:30am-12pm.
You are welcome to come pray during this time. We ask that you kindly observe social distancing protocol. 


MASS WITH BISHOP STEVEN
Please tune in each week for Mass with Bishop Steven. You may subscribe on YouTube by joining Cathedral of St. Mary-Cheyenne. (Bishop Steven’s Blog & Diocese Website: http://bishopsteven.dioceseofcheyenne.org/ http://dioceseofcheyenne.org/covid19/

ANNOUNCEMENT
(Embargoed until 1 p.m. on March 27)
In the spirit of justice and transparency, the Diocese of Cheyenne must report that two credible allegations of sexual misconduct with adolescent females have been made against Father Joseph Fraher, a priest of the Diocese of Cheyenne. These occurred in the 1950’s when he was assigned to the parishes in Sheridan & Ranchester. The first allegation was reported in 1990, and we became aware of it in March 2019 due to the clergy file review. After the June 2019 publication of the list of Catholic clergy with substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of minors, the second allegation was reported in August 2019. Father Fraher has also served in parishes located in Newcastle, Rock Springs, Lander, Jeffrey City, Hudson, Laramie, Riverton, Gillette, Worland, Wheatland, & Chugwater, as well as St. Rose of Lima Parish and St. Joseph’s Children’s Home in Torrington. He was ordained in 1950 and retired in 1995. Father Fraher currently resides in Cheyenne. Father Fraher has been restricted from celebrating the sacraments publicly & also from any contact with minors. The Diocese has provided outreach to the victims, from 1993 to 2008 & from August 2019 to present. If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, or if you suspect abuse of a minor, we urge you to contact your local law enforcement agency or the Department of Family Services. Upon notification of authorities or if you have questions, please contact Chancellor Jean Chrostoski at 307-638-1530, ext. 105 (jchrostoski@dioceseofcheyenne.org) or Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator Mary Adams at 307-220-0485 (adamsmaryj@outlook.com).

CATHOLIC LIFE EXPLAINED
Question: What is the difference between a basilica and a cathedral? Answer: Basilicas are churches that are so titled because of their antiquity, dignity, historical importance, or significance as centers of worship. A cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, which contains the chair of the bishop, or “cathedra” in Latin. The chair is the symbol of the bishop’s teaching authority.

CONNECTING WITH OUR CLERGY & STAFF:
Fr Lucas Simango: frlucas@olmcatholic.org
Fr Philip Vanderlin: philinden2@gmail.com
Deacon Phil Wanek: pwanek@silverstar.com
Pam Padilla (Office Manager): HFCCOfficeManager@gmail.com

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PALM SUNDAY 2020

Brethren, today we begin the celebration of the Holiest week in our Liturgical calendar. We commemorate Jesus’ final entry into the holy city of Jerusalem. People preceded him and welcomed him joyfully. However, this is the same group of people that turned around and shouted: “Crucify Him”. What went wrong? Jesus did not segregate. All were welcome into his company. Our generation repeats this cycle of acceptance and rejection of Jesus, not so much verbally but with our actions.

This week will be holy for us not because of our liturgical vocabulary. But because we will live our lives in a manner radically different from the past, on all levels of our existence. Being engulfed in this Covid-19 pandemic, we share a common human experience of the fear of losing our health; the fear of losing our jobs; the fear of losing our dignity. Uncertainty has gripped us; we have discovered that we are powerless. We are confronted with our mortality. The meaning of life as a sacred gift, has gotten a new meaning.

However, there is some good news. In the midst of this pandemic we are witnessing and noticing tangible evidence of solidarity and genuine compassion in our first responders, health caregivers, primary caregivers, friends and family. This situation has produced the best in humanity. These are men and women, who like the good thief at Jesus Crucifixion, have chosen to die by Jesus’ side. In the Passion and Crucifixion story, we find pride, betrayal, denial, fear and death. In the end, there was victory over sin and death. There was the resurrection. Likewise, in this Covid-19 pandemic, we find, incidences of great pride, denial, finger pointing, betrayal, fear shift of blame and failure. However, as Christians we believe that at the end there will be recovery, rebuilding of broken humanity and Resurrection.

Therefore, let us make this Holy Week special. Let us ask God to bless us with spiritual resilience, so that we can overcome any traces of spiritual rigidity, accept being reformed and recreated into the kinds of people God desires for himself. A people who will produce moral, spiritual, ethical and physical fruits that will reflect the characteristics of the citizens of the kingdom of God.

Let us live our lives in such a way, that people the world will say that truly we are God’s children. The Palms we have received, must become a symbol of our faithful to God’s call to holiness. This is our story of salvation.

Have a blessed Holy Week. ~ Fr. Lucas Kazimiro Simango

COVID-19 SUSPENSIONS-INFO SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Please be aware that all information is subject to change and we apologize for any inconveniences. We promise to do our best to keep you informed as we maneuver through these difficult times. For our most current information please refer to our website https://holyfamilywy.org/ and facebook page. Thank you and God Bless!


A WORD FROM FR. LUCAS

“Dear Faith Family Members, First, I would like to thank God for his healing, forgiving & sustaining presence in our lives. Secondly, I would like to thank everyone for keeping your social and spiritual connections with one another, through electronic group and family prayers. I would also like to thank everyone who has continued to support the pastoral, spiritual and charitable Mission of our faith family so that she can continue serving the needs of our brothers and sisters whose lives’ circumstances have been negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Your stewardship in this time is appreciated. With a grateful and prayerful heart!”
Fr. Lucas Kazimiro Simango

CONNECTING WITH OUR CLERGY & STAFF

Fr Lucas Simango: frlucas@olmcatholic.org Fr Philip Vanderlin: philinden2@gmail.com Deacon Phil Wanek: pwanek@silverstar.com Pam Padilla (Office Manager): HFCCOfficeManager@gmail.com PARISH SUPPORT-ONLINE GIVING: Without the opportunity to gather as a parish we ask that you still keep us in your hearts and minds. During this unprecedented time, you may still give via “Online Giving” (donations may still be mailed to Holy Family Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1036, Thayne, WY 83127. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Office Manager, Pam Padilla. Please visit our website to register to give online https:// holyfamilywy.org/on-line-giving. Thank you for using Online Giving! Your contributions are greatly appreciated!

Rustic Potato and Leek Soup

(Adapted from Slow Cooker Revolution, America’s Test Kitchen 2011)

A popular family soup from Mary Sadick.
Serves 6 to 8. (Great Lenten Soup!)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 leeks, white and light green parts only, halved lengthwise, sliced thin, and washed thoroughly 1 onion, peeled and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
6 cups vegetable broth
1 ½ pounds red potatoes (about 4 medium), scrubbed and cut into ½ inch pieces
3 carrots, peeled and cut into ½ inch pieces
2 bay leaves
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
Salt and pepper

Melt the butter in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add the leeks, onion, garlic, & thyme & cook until the onion is soften & lightly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in 1 cup broth, scraping up any browned bits; transfer to a slow cooker. Stir the remaining 5 cups broth, the potatoes, carrots, & bay leaves into the slow cooker. Cover & cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, until the vegetables are tender. Discard the bay leaves. Purée three-quarters of the soup in small batches, being careful to protect against hot liquid. Stir in the cream & let sit until heated through about 5 minutes. Stir in the dill, & season with salt and pepper.

A WORD FROM BISHOP STEVEN BIEGLER


“While the celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of parish life, the need to protect public health is paramount at this time,” Wyoming Bishop Steven Biegler said in a statement Monday morning. “We continue to pray for all of those who are ill, especially those affected by COVID-19, and for healthcare workers and first responders.” Church priests told parishioners across the state Sunday that Masses, including daily services, will be closed beginning Tuesday. The diocese made the decision, it said in a press release, after talking with Gov. Mark Gordon and the state Department of Health, as well as other faith leaders across the state. There is no end-date for the suspensions. Celebrating the Liturgy of the Word at Home: Dear Holy Family Parishioners, please, let’s gather in our own homes today at 10:30am as we practice social distancing to celebrate the liturgy of the Word. Let us continue being a Holy Family, albeit virtually, by downloading the following: http://dioceseofcheyenne.org/covid19/wp-content/ uploads/2020/03/Celebrating-the-Liturgy-of-the-Word-at-Home-4th -Sunday-of-Lent.pdf. This wonderful guide suggests for a leader, lector(s), volunteer to lead reflection on the Word and that “it might help to prepare the space for prayer. Perhaps clear a table, place a cloth on it, and present the Bible prominently in the middle. Lighting candles on the table and sitting around it will also be of help”. Join us! We will be one in Spirit!

 

THE LIVING CHURCH IN A TIME OF CRISIS

During this time of the COVID-19 health crisis, the Lord is with us and inviting us to journey together in faith. We want to acknowledge the fear and anxiety in the hearts of many. Yet we urge you to be confident that the Lord is guiding our journey in the desert, just as the people of Israel were led through their exodus to a land of new hope. As we journey in the desert, we must live our faith with reason, prudence, and compassion. We are still a Living Church with Living Faith. You will find on this page http://dioceseofcheyenne.org/covid19/ the official communication from our Diocese, resources for Prayer and Faith Sharing, and links to relevant articles and websites.

RESOURCES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Free resources to support prayer and engagement during these difficult days. Go to usccb.org/coronavirus


LET’S CONTINUE TO STAND IN FAITH
 
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love” If you know of someone who is alone at this time, be sure to check on them by phone, text, or on social media. It can be a very lonely time for them.*

INTRODUCTION TO LITURGY COURSE!
FREE!
Our Musical Director, Pauline Zeren, highly recommends this course! The course is normally $249! Great savings when it is FREE! Please go to liturgy.teachable.com


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USCCB Responds to Coronavirus
Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has
issued the following regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19):
With the worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, we are confronted once more with the fragility of our lives, and again we are reminded of our
common humanity; that the peoples of this world are our brothers and sisters, that we are all one family under God.
God does not abandon us, he goes with us even now in this time of trial and testing. In this moment, it is important for us to anchor our hearts in
the hope that we have in Jesus Christ. Now is the time to intensify our prayers and sacrifices for the love of God and the love of our neighbor.
Let us draw closer to one another in our love for him, and rediscover the things that truly matter in our lives.
United with our Holy Father Pope Francis, let us pray in solidarity for our brothers and sisters here and around the world who are sick. Let us
pray for those who have lost loved ones to this virus. May God console them and grant them peace.
We pray also for doctors, nurses, and caregivers, for public health officials and all civic leaders. May God grant them courage and prudence as
they seek to respond to this emergency with compassion and in service to the common good.
In this time of need, I invite all the faithful to seek together the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I share this prayer with you:


Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.
Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, a
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared
the worst of this illness. For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.
In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to
love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.
We come to you with confidence, knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother, health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus.
Amen.