I know we feel sad because Masses have been suspended in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. As we no longer hear the bells, we would like to listen to them again, seeing you again, together with our neighbors and the school children.

By staying at home these days, we can see what happen to the first Christians, when they celebrated the breaking of bread at home. They used to share the Holy Scriptures, some narrations of Jesus, reliving his words. Each family is a small church showing the unity of love by praying, sharing, and learning to discover the good things in their lives. These days are times to strengthen hope, living these difficult times with joy and confidence.

Don Bosco used to say that we live in the presence of God, and we always express joy and confidence. Therefore, for us, as Dominic Savio said, holiness is happiness. We are learning how to deal with the new social situation in the family, as a nation, as humanity. It is our hope to recover courage and strength, with the confidence that we are not alone, as a family, as individuals, we are embraced by the love that surrounds us and gives us a feeling of joy, calm and hope.

Please do not be afraid. The coronavirus is bringing those we love closer, and this is fantastic!

True, many activities are cancelled to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. However, love, joy, calm, and hope are many other right actions that are alive in our hearts and the hearts of our young generations. We do not cancel kindness, we are learning to transform the uncertainty of this coronavirus emergency into a time of love and trust in God.

You are not far from the church, remember, you are the church. You are not far from the Eucharist, although you cannot attend Mass as usual. By eating together, by smiling, talking and praying. Also, enjoying a new way for your children, brothers and parents, it is the way to transform ourselves into Eucharistic people, becoming signs of the love of Jesus at home.

Remember in your hearts Saint Mary’s, the Archdiocese, our country, and all families. We will soon smile and share the memories of these days as the experience of love again, becoming better Christians and better citizens, as Don Bosco dreamed.

... We will soon hear the bells again, we will gather to share our faith as we usually do at Saint Mary's. May the Lord bless you.

Remember that we love you and keep you in our prayers, as we know you do for us.