The Diocese
Posted: 04/17/2020
In these days of quarantine, as priests, we are inclined to hold church services through live-stream media platforms. However, I would like to assure our faithful that though they may be out of our immediate sight, yet present in our minds. I would even say that in these most difficult times, in times of solitude, we certainly remember our faithful members fondly and feel a sense of deep gratitude for their engagement in the life of the church community.
The beauty of the church life is reflected in the presence of the faithful as they pray, work, and build together.
With this note, I would like to extend a simple message to all by saying that even in these most challenging days, as we try to adopt to the new lifestyle, we pause to cherish our moments with God as we open up our hearts and converse with the Almighty, making the promise to initiate a new dawn in our lives.
Here is another though I wish to share. God, though invisible, is ever-present. It is not necessary to see God with our physical eyes. The beauty and the depth of our faith emerges in the way we feel and see God in our souls.
I would like to end my reflection with the assurance given to my faithful that in these difficult times, you were all in my prayers, and I also felt the warmth of your prayers, which strengthened my faith in God.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian
Diocesan Primate
April 6, 2020
