Monday, March 16, 2020 —

Today I sobbed uncontrollably for my Church, for my Priest, and for my fellow Catholics.

Today I also flew into a rage, said some things I shouldn’t, and cursed a little. Those who know me are taking a sharp breath in and saying, “Oh snap! Mrs. Flusche cursed!? The snickerdoodles just hit the fan!”

Deep down I knew **this** was coming, but it didn’t make the pain and anger any less. I felt it deep in my soul after Mass on Sunday; the last public Mass I was able to attend. I was profoundly sad knowing that was my last reception of the Blessed Sacrament—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yes, our Bishop, along with many around the world, have suspended public Masses.

It was agonizing getting news piecemeal and not having a coherent message. We scrambled, along with our fellow Catholics, trying to share what little information we had on what was (or was not) happening. We panicked and we cried. We screamed and we prayed.

In all of this, I learned how gracious and holy our Pastor is, and I am eternally grateful for him and his vocation. As much as I cried and screamed, I cannot imagine what he and his fellow Priests are going through. I cannot imagine how sore and bruised their knees must be from praying, nor can I ever understand how heart-wrenching it must be to hear our pain, anger, complaints, etc. in all of this.

And so, with the help of my beloved husband, Andrew, I calmed my inner storm, dried my tears, blew my blubbering, snotty nose a few dozen times, and recited the Litany of Saint Joseph for our Priest. We prayed for his perseverance and protection. And then, we emailed him and asked what he needed from us to get through this. Today was day 0. It was a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day, but we push on. We persevere and we get down on our knees and pray. And, we thank the Lord for our holy Priests.

Saint John Vianney, patron of priests, pray for us!