Public Masses have begun once again. Please pray that this transition is as smooth as possible. It will be difficult. We all need to make adjustments so that we can safely encounter the Lord in Holy Communion, and we need patience with ourselves and others as we follow the guidelines of Bishop Rhoades and Governor Holcomb. We must do everything that is required of us in order to be able to celebrate Holy Mass as a community of faith, even if that means many small sacrifices. All of it is worth it because the value of the Mass is infinite. Holy Communion is a glimpse of heaven on earth, and so we freely, even happily, make such sacrifices to meet our Lord in the Eucharist.
Since priests are not given any "insider information" about parish assignments unless it involves them personally, I was very surprised when I heard that my older brother, Fr. Matthew, was switching parishes this year. He made the announcement this past weekend and informed me (and our family) just a couple hours prior to his Saturday evening Mass. He's good a keeping secrets! Fr. Matt has been at St. Vincent de Paul parish in Elkhart since we were ordained in the summer of 2011. Now he is being assigned to two Fort Wayne parishes, with one of them being Saint Therese! So yes, the Coonan brothers are taken most directly under Thérèse's care starting late June. A huge fan of this great saint and the youngest doctor of the church, my brother has certainly read more of Thérèse's writings than myself, but I think I will share with him some of the other books I've read on the saint which may be of help to him. Pray for him, and ask Therese and St. Vincent de Paul (another great powerhouse from France!) intercede for him during these last weeks at the parish, when he will have to say goodbye in the midst of this time of social distancing. It is a difficult time to part ways. Also, one of the priests of his parish, Fr. Eloy, has the coronavirus and Fr. Matthew and Fr. Daniel are now awaiting results for themselves, so they likely cannot have public Masses until they are cleared. Please keep them in your prayers as we pray for all our parishioners and others who are suffering.
Brian Isenbarger just finished his fourth year of seminary at Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD. He is originally from New Haven, IN, and went to high school at Bishop Dwenger in Fort Wayne.
Before seminary, he worked full time in youth ministry for a parish in Carmel, IN. He also has degrees in theology from the University of Saint Francis (Fort Wayne) and St. Joseph’s College (Standish, ME). He’s looking forward to being at Little Flower this summer and being a part of the parish community. Maybe you’ll see him around town on his bike! It has been a joy to have him for these first days, and I am looking forward to the weeks ahead as we do what we can to continue priestly ministry in the midst of a pandemic. Please keep him and all our seminarians in your prayers, that they can stay close to the Lord who is calling them to follow even in this time.