Joint Pastoral Statement of Parish of the Holy Sacrifice and the Church of the Risen Lord

We are grappling with a global crisis caused by the outbreak of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19). Last Thursday night, President Duterte has issued guidelines on proper conduct during the crisis. Mayor Joy Belmonte, for her part, has also declared guidelines for Quezon City. The UP Diliman Chancellor, Dr. Fidel Nemenzo, earlier issued guidelines on how the UP community should conduct themselves during this extraordinary threat.

We affirm categorically our faith in the Almighty God, and we continue our prayers to affirm our belief. We submit and support government guidelines that protect citizens’ personal needs. We continue to provide spiritual support and guidance to our members and constituency.

In the spirit of ecumenical relations and prayers, the Parish of the Holy Sacrifice and the Church of the Risen Lord are issuing jointly this pastoral letter to acknowledge that the virus is no longer simply a threat to people’s health. Lives are being threatened and local, regional, and global shutdowns are destructively affecting the community and our people. The crisis now has been classified by the World Health Organization as a pandemic. We urge everyone, therefore, to be guided by the national, LGU, and UP Diliman anti-COVID-19 measures.

As a faith community, everyone is reminded that we have a God who loves us, cares for us, and saves us from all adversities. As the psalmist (Psalm 91: 1-3) has written, our trust is in God, our refuge, and strength. God saves us from danger, from deadly threats and pestilence. Let us not allow this pandemic threat so to cause panic and fear that we are immobilized.

Let us find strength in Jesus Christ who said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Even if the one who believes in me were dead, he will live. And all who live and believe in me will never die.” (John 11: 25-26). We are strengthened with Hope.

Faced with this pandemic threat we should neither panic nor allow fear to overcome us. Let us draw spiritual courage from the Apostle Paul’s declaration, “I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38)

While we may not be able to worship together physically, we can worship together with our families in our homes.

Should you have special spiritual needs, please don’t hesitate to call the church office. Your pastors and priests will be happy to respond and provide the services needed.

Finally, let us listen to God’s assurance, “Because you love me, I will rescue you. I will protect you, for you acknowledge my name. You will call upon, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble, I will deliver you and honor you. With long life I will satisfy and show you my salvation.” (Psalm 91: 14-16).