"Babysitting:”  A few weeks ago, I was over at my parent’s place on a Friday night.  I offered to stop by and work on a project or two, and while I was there, I offered to make dinner for them.  The condo floorplan is such that the kitchen connects to what we call the “Great Room” (basically the living room/family room).  The Great Room is where all the activity happens.  The kitchen is set up so that from the kitchen sink I can look out into the Great Room and see all the action.  While you can walk from the Great Room to the seating area of the kitchen, the sink area has an opening to let you see directly into the Great Room.  We can be prepping dinner or doing the dishes and still be part of the conversation in the Great Room.  The little portal even gives you the opportunity to watch what’s on TV.  After a delightful dinner (and, no, I didn’t do anything fancy other than pull some stuff from the freezer), my mom and dad got settled back into the Great Room and started to watch Jeopardy.  They both have power lift recliners, and once they get settled in and get the fireplace going, they’re set for the evening.  No movie theater can top the comfort of the Bugarin Theater!  It’s quite cozy and comfy!  I don’t even dare sit in one of their chairs because I would be out cold way before the first round of Jeopardy!
 
Once they got settled in the Great Room, I went back to the kitchen and started to clean up.  There wasn’t much to clean because, being the master chef that I am, I only had to clean the cookie sheets and toss the aluminum foil I used to heat up the frozen stuff we ate that night.  As I was washing the dishes at the sink, I could hear my parents talking to one another.  I assumed, because I was making some noise as I went about clinking dishes and stuff, that they thought I couldn’t hear them.  Well, they forgot that “Eagle Ears” was around.  My sisters get frustrated with me at times because I can easily get involved in two conversations at once, with one conversation being halfway across the room.  They’re amazed my hearing is that good and that I can tune into two conversations at once (I probably learned this at the seminary or something).
 
As I listened a bit more, I soon realized they were talking about me.  “Poor Mike,” my mom started.  “Here he is on a Friday night taking care of his parents.  It’s like he’s babysitting his mom and dad.  He made us dinner.  Fed us.  Cleaned the table.  Got us situated in the Great Room.  Put on the TV.  Changed the channel.  Made sure the remotes were within reach.  Turned on the fireplace.  Got us ice-cream.  Cleaned the kitchen.  And now he’s probably hoping we don’t ask for anything else for a couple of hours so he can go about doing what he wants to do.  It’s like he’s babysitting us on a Friday night.”  As my dad listened to my mom describe accurately what just took place, he offered one correction: “No, it’s not called babysitting.  It’s more like senior-sitting.”  After a quick laugh, their attention immediately turned back to Jeopardy.  Ah, the new normal!
 
Friday Night Reflection Series:  For the next three Fridays in the Emmaus Fellowship Hall immediately following the Stations of the Cross, Fr. Rich, Fr. John, and I will offer reflections on aspects of our missionary calling that will help us “Unleash the Gospel” in word and deed to those around us.  The series will focus this year on the strategic anchors that the Leadership Team and I have developed.  These strategic anchors are meant to guide everything we do at SJA.  We want to make sure that we are radically hospitable in all things.  We want to make sure that what we do is transformative and leads people to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.  Finally, we want to be a people who boldly make disciples.
 
Fr. Rich will kick off the series on Friday, March 13 with “Radical Hospitality: Intentionally Inviting and Welcoming All as We Would Welcome Christ.”  On March 20, Fr. John offers a reflection on “Transformation: Dynamic and Diversified Ways to Encounter Christ.”  I will conclude the series on March 27 with a reflection on “Boldly Making Disciples:  Having the Confidence and Courage to Proclaim Christ in Everyday Life.”  We hope you will be able to join us.
 
Coronavirus Preparedness Efforts:  With concerns about the coronavirus all around us, our parish, and parishes across the Archdiocese of Detroit, have taken steps to help keep us safe and healthy.  These efforts are meant to help minimize the spread of the coronavirus or any other virus.
 
One measure being taken is suspending the distribution of the Precious Blood of Christ at masses.  This effort isn’t new to our parish because we suspended the distribution of the Precious Blood back in early January.  Being so close to two major hospitals and hearing from many of our parishioners who are doctors or nurses, and especially from Fr. Rich who is on staff at Grosse Pointe Beaumont, we would get regular updates right after Christmas on how full hospitals were from flu related symptoms.  With that data, we decided back then to suspend the distribution of the Precious Blood.  This practice will continue for the foreseeable future.  Please remember that one does not need to receive the Precious Blood of Christ in order to achieve full Communion with Christ.  The Consecrated Host IS the full Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ.
 
You will also notice that we removed all the holy water from the holy water fonts.  While the holy water is not present, it’s still appropriate to sign yourself with the sign of the cross when you enter Church and then genuflect toward the tabernacle when you get to your pew.
 
For the greeting of peace, we are eliminating the shaking of hands.  We encourage people to do a “fist bump” or a nod of the head to acknowledge the other person in your midst.  At the same time, we need to cease the holding of hands during the Our Father.  While there is no mention in the Roman Missal for the position of hands during the Our Father, many prefer to hold their hands out like the priest does.
 
Finally, and most importantly, if you are experiencing any signs of an illness, please stay home.  Please read that sentence one more time!  Be assured, you are not committing a sin if you miss a Sunday mass because you’re sick or not feeling well.
 
Let us continue to keep one another, and our fragile world, in our prayers.
 
Enjoy the week.  Know of my prayers.
 
In Christ,
 
gmb
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