READERS RESPOND

I have had the incredible good fortune to be employed for nearly 40 years in an agency whose mission is closely aligned with that of Christ — feed the poor, shelter the homeless, serve His people.

As an employee of the Department of Social Services (DSS) in a small, rural upstate county, I have seen, heard and had to make decisions on some of the most difficult situations this country has to offer. I pray each day that I handle those circumstances with the wisdom, love and delicacy of Christ.
This COVID-19 crisis will be no different should it hit my impoverished county with its full force. Yet, I have already seen the best of people: Staff willingly come to work each day so that their more vulnerable peers may remain among the 50 percent at home; employees at the reception window, more at risk for contracting the virus because of their contact with the public, graciously greet those walking through the doors; and case aides and caseworkers who are still required to make home visits to ensure families already in crisis aren’t crumbling under the weight of the pandemic.

DSS workers are the silent, unseen first responders. The masks, gloves and gowns, in short supply for medical personnel, are even less readily available for DSS staff. The homes they visit could be free of COVID-19 or it could be the one house in the county where it’s rampant but the people are not yet symptomatic. People who have been in contact with a COVID patient tell us they haven’t; those who haven’t contacted a medical provider tell us they are infected. DSS staff wade through the uncertainty, chaos and stress of it all. People are depending on us.

While all other county offices are closed to the public, DSS regulations don’t allow that. DSS is the place you go when desperation strikes; the place you go when you have exhausted all other avenues. DSS remains open because His people need us.

When remembering the first responders and medical providers who put themselves in harm’s way for others, please take just a moment to pray for the DSS workers. The world is blessed by their selflessness.

Anne Solar
Johnstown

The massive realization that I can’t go to Mass on Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday service, Easter Vigil, or Easter Sunday brings with it such an ache, it reduces me to tears. No palms.?No processions.?No feeling the weight of reciting the words, “Crucify Him!” No washing of the feet.?No singing Pange Lingua as He is processed to the altar of repose.?No adoring Him there.?No feeling the weight of the stripping of the altar as the prophetic words of Psalm 21 penetrate our hearts.?No leaving an empty tabernacle in silence.?No venerating the cross, kneeling down to kiss His feet.?No lighting our candles from the blessed fire.?No feeling the power of the Exultet, and once again joyfully proclaiming, 
“Alleluia!”

But maybe there’s great graces available in this.?Maybe we take these rituals for granted, and this is an opportunity for us to enter in a more real way into the Lord’s Passion; to unite our suffering with His. To truly feel what it means to suffer not having communion with Jesus in such a real, tangible way. For so many others throughout the world,?this is how they suffer throughout their lives. No access to the Sacraments. No Holy Week. No Sacred Triduum. Not even in a virtual way. He will not be brought to the altar of repose this year. That thought makes me so sad. But He will be removed from us in a more moving way. Our Passion will be real, tangible and we will all have a great gift to offer Him this year, to unite with His Sacrifice for us. Our longing for communion with Him will be greater than any other year. And maybe that’s what we need??Maybe this is an opportunity to remedy such wide disbelief in His Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.?Maybe we need to truly LONG to be near Him! That will be a great grace, a great Easter gift from Christ for us to embrace throughout our lives! So let’s strive to offer Him our sufferings and be open and receptive to the bountiful graces He is offering us through this time of great trial!
Deo gratias!

Jody Agnew
Poestenkill

Our life during the coronavirus has changed dramatically, as everyone is experiencing the same separation from their friends, families and, especially, our parish families. We are reaching out to each other as best as we can and we are pleased to be able to view the Mass with our pastor, Father Thomas Chevalier at The Church of St. Peter in Saratoga Springs. He keeps us all connected through our parish website, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

During this disruption in all of our lives, my family has been blessed with the birth of two babies born eight hours apart at Saratoga Hospital on March 27-28. We now have five generations to be thankful for: A great-great grandmother, Maryellen Celeste (95), is now a resident at Wesley Health Care center; we are great grandparents, Alberta (a trustee of the church) and Charles Bennett (parish money counter); and proud grandparents, Michael (coordinator at the church) and Michele Decker (money counter and various committees), whose son, Justin, and wife, Abby Carkner, blessed us with a baby girl, Dakota Michele, on March 27.

As well as proud grandparents, Richard (coordinator and lector at the church) and Dr. Renee’ Bennett-Kapusniak (lector and various committees), whose daughter, Amanda and husband, Alex Gebur, blessed us with a baby boy, Mace Nicholas, on March 28.

We look forward to being able to worship as a community in the near future. We are also anticipating the celebration of the sacrament of baptism. As our Lenten journey comes to an end and Easter is on the horizon, we continue to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus and we look forward to the hope of the Easter promise.

Alberta Bennett
Saratoga Springs

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send your stories — and photos — and tell us how you are dealing with living in the time of the coronavirus to [email protected] or at [email protected]. You can also send mail to 40 N. Main Ave., ­Albany, N.Y., 12203, although the Pastoral Center is now closed to visitors. The staff of The Evangelist, however, will be picking up mail at least twice a week.