RANDOM THOUGHTS, 8 10 20

Dear Parishioners and Friends of St. Francis Parish,

Another 90-degree day. Never thought I’d be praying so hard for the end of summer.

Had a very nice experience today at Wadsworth Glenn Rehab. I played guitar and ukulele there for about 15 people sitting outside. Had a makeshift microphone set up that worked really well. It felt so good to sing and play and give a little sermon. Almost just like old times.

It’s hard to believe that people are still without power but, the beginning is near. Everyone wants to blame Eversource. But there’s a problem with this. I imagine most of us well remember, and would like to forget, the surprise snowstorm of October 2011. That was UGLY!!!

I spent the time in St. Mary rectory in Willimantic with my cat Bridget. They have their own power grid. Thank you, Jesus.

So, after the cleanup, which took many days and caused so much damage, how many people went out and bought generators and chain saws and stocked up on food for emergencies? Did neighborhoods form groups for mutual aid? Probably not! So, we ourselves were not prepared for Isaias. Give Eversource a break!

I read a very interesting article in Catholic News Agency online version about the Catholic ethical view of the coming vaccine for C 19. If you get a chance, read it. Here is a small portion of the article.

Another ethical question that is being discussed is the rapid nature of the vaccine development. The prevalence and deadly nature of the coronavirus has prodded scientists to enter the final testing phase in record time, yet some ethicists are cautioning that a vaccine must be produced that is safe for widespread use.

 “We all agree that it’s great to go as fast as possible, as safely as possible” during the production phase of vaccines, Joseph Meany, Ph.D., president of the NCBC, told EWTN Pro-Life Weekly. However, he said, during the trial phases “safeguards exist for a purpose.”

“They should be very cautious about cutting corners when it comes to human safety” in the trials, he said. If an ethical vaccine is developed and made available, the question remains as to the responsibility of Catholics to receive it.  “I think it would be reasonable for the government to issue a mandate, and require people to vaccinate, but there should also be exemptions…

SORRY NO PICTURES STILL HAVING TROUBLE SENDING THEM