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November 21, 2020Good day,
I am Father Manuel Fragoso Carranza, priest of the Diocese of Tucson and pastor of the Immaculate Conception, in Yuma, AZ.
Since the pandemic began in March of this year , the people who work in the Immaculate Conception have looked for a way to remain available to the needs of the community. We follow all the protocols that were given to us , and each of us takes care of ourselves to be able to take care of the others. At each Sunday Mass we repeated what was asked of us in order to continue gathering together as a family of God.
However, we knew that all this was not going to be enough to stop the virus and, on November 12, we had to close our Church because I tested positive. It is not enough, but it has been very helpful in the fight against this disease.
We know that we are constantly exposed to this disease, but we also know that by following all protocols the chances of spreading the contagion are reduced. Living in the midst of this pandemic is not living in fear, nor acting through fear. It is to continue working with all the love of God, putting ourselves at the service of others, taking the necessary measures to do so with caution and wisdom.
As I was saying, following the protocols does not give us assurance that the virus will not give us, but it does give us the certainty that we are putting a great obstacle to it from reproducing uncontrollably .
It is very important that, to take care of others, we continue to wear the mask, we wash our hands constantly, we maintain social distance , we do not leave our homes if we feel sick, etc.
Let's practice Christian love , let's follow the protocols!
Today our Church is closed, but with God's favor it will reopen and we will continue our work of service. We will continue to insist on security measures . Thank God I have been asymptomatic, but we have heard from parishioners and their families who have suffered a lot, to the point of facing the death of loved ones.
In our prayer as individuals and as a community, our Church invites us not only to raise our voices to the loving Father who listens to us, but also to take action so that God's will may take shape through our actions.
That is why I urge you to raise our prayers for all those who have or are suffering from this disease in some way, and that we stand firm to follow the protocols that are dictated to us, in order to help control it.
May God give us the strength to carry on and the love to protect each other!
Blessings!
In Christ,
Br. Manuel Fragoso Carranza
