In a Holy Week message to the Diocese of Lafayette, Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel encouraged Catholics to "Carry the Light of Faith" during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bishop says that, although the Church cannot be together due to social distancing, they are all united in spirit.
On Easter Sunday, a 10:30 am Mass will be streamed online via the Diocese website.
Other churches in Acadiana will also be streaming services this Easter Sunday. To find a list of churches in each parish, click here.
See the Bishop's Easter blessing and full Holy Week message, below:
"This week, Holy Week, we enter into that most sacred time of the Church year. We walk with our Blessed Lord as He enters into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, institutes the Eucharist as the great gift to all of us and establishes the priesthood on Holy Thursday. In the Way of the Cross, we follow Him to Calvary where He suffers and dies as the pure victim for our redemption. Then on Easter Sunday we rejoice in His resurrection, His victory over sin and death and the promise of our own resurrection to everlasting life.
Although we are not able to be physically together during these Holy Days because of the importance of social distancing, I want to assure you that we are all united spiritually as a Church. Your dedicated priests in our Diocese continue to offer Masses daily for your intentions. Our belief as Catholics is that every time a single priest offers a single Mass, it is for the whole Church. We the faithful here on earth and the saints in heaven are in communion, offering perfect worship to God and receiving the graces we need.
Complying with efforts to mitigate this pandemic has meant great inconvenience, economic hardship and even loss of employment for many. I urge you not to give in to discouragement and despair. God will see us through this difficult time. This is our cross and our Catholic faith teaches us that it is through the cross that we follow Jesus in victory and resurrection. Saint John Paul II reminds us: "We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song."
I humbly ask you that you continue to Carry the Light of Faith in this year of St. Joseph. Joseph stepped forward in faith to answer God's call. Your parishes are stepping forward in faith as they continue their good works, trusting that you will support those efforts. As the cost of parish work continues, please give as best you can to your parish, either directly or through GIVE 52 which can be found on the Diocesan website.
I will be offering Easter Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. online and through the courtesy of KLFY 10. All of you will be in my intentions. May God bless you and your family. With every good wish, I am"
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend J. Douglas Deshotel, D.D.
Bishop of Lafayette
