April 10, 2021

Bishop Byrne releases first pastoral letter, ‘Back to Better, Our Road to Emmaus’

REGIONAL
By Carolee McGrath

Bishop Byrne delivers the homily at the 10 a.m. televised Easter Sunday Mass in St. Michael’s Cathedral, Springfield. (iObserve photo/Mary Jeanne Tash)

SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne has released “Back to Better, Our Road to Emmaus,” a pastoral letter addressed to the people of the Diocese of Springfield.

In his first pastoral letter, he highlights the challenges and needs facing the Diocese of Springfield and the Catholic Church of western Massachusetts. The letter is a message of hope during the Easter season and an invitation for people to start returning to Mass in person.

“We can’t get back to normal, we need to get back to better,” said Bishop Byrne, speaking of the pandemic which has caused suffering, shutdowns and isolation. While he said he is grateful for technology which has been critical in keeping people connected, especially the homebound, he said churches are open and following all safety protocols.

“However, beginning again means getting back to church, participating in person, and renewing our sacramental encounter with Jesus,” he said.

In the letter, the bishop explains the story of the two disciples who encounter Jesus on their way home “after witnessing the horror of the crucifixion.” At first, the disciples do not recognize Jesus.

“So it’s a mediation on the road to Emmaus when the disciples have witnessed Jesus and they’re in despair. And then they encounter Jesus, particularly in the Eucharist, and they go out on mission,” Bishop Byrne said. “I believe through my own prayers this is what the Lord is calling us to do – not just get back to normal but get back to better.”

Other key elements include addressing the sexual abuse crisis; declining numbers of practicing Catholics; vocations; eucharistic adoration; family life; evangelization and youth ministry; and the protection of all human life.

The letter will be available Saturday, April 10 on diospringfield.org and also is published in the April issue of the diocesan magazine, The Catholic Mirror.

“The good news is that on the road to Emmaus, unmet expectations and hopes were fulfilled. On the road to Emmaus and in the breaking of the bread, everything was made new,” the bishop wrote in the conclusion of the pastoral letter. “The Mass Pike, I-91, Routes 20, 2, and 5, along with Main Streets of every community – indeed every road in western Massachusetts should be the road to Emmaus … Roads where we encounter the Risen Lord. These are the roads on which to share the Good News with all whom we meet.”