BlueZone Partnership
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)
“Peace be with you” were the first words of Christ to his apostles after his resurrection. Why, out of all the things he could have said, did he choose these words? I believe it’s because he knew the crippling nature of fear for humanity. He knew very well that if the apostles were afraid, they would never be able to take on the commission to evangelize the world. He knew that if they allowed fear to rule their lives, and motivate their decisions, they would never be able to continue their spiritual growth as followers of Christ, and missionaries to the world. Therefore, helping the apostles to overcome their fear was the first step in the proclamation of the Gospel.
I have reflected on this scripture passage often, as I have watched our world descend into the pit of fear over the last few years. Most definitely, Satan has been very active. I have watched people become divided and consumed by fear over countless reasons. Regarding COVID, people have become consumed over fears of health, masks, vaccines, vaccine mandates, science, medicine, and social distancing. Sadly, we have allowed these earthly fears to hijack our spiritual lives. As a Priest and Pastor, it breaks my heart to see how many people have stopped coming to Mass out of fear. It is so sad to see Catholics afraid to come to Christ at Mass and receive him in the Blessed Sacrament. Everything we have proclaimed as a People of Faith for 2000 years seems to have been overcome by our fears and anxieties over COVID. Therefore, I say it’s time to reembrace the words of Christ: “Peace be with you.”
This belief led me to begin a search for something that can alleviate our fears in some way and on some level. I have heard people say “follow the science” so much these last years that I decided to take that advice. This search led to me to a unique company that makes a phenomenal product. I have taken the significant step of partnering with Bluezone by Middleby so that their cutting-edge air purifying technology can be utilized in our Church. St. Anthony of Padua and St. Teresa of Avila are the only Churches in Ohio, and one of very few Churches in the world, to install this amazing product. Originally created for the United States Military and utilizing the same kinds of ultraviolet technology used in the best hospitals, this is a vital step in eliminating airborne contaminants in our Church.
Bluezone uses the precise balance of ultraviolet-enhanced oxidation to chemically destroy airborne contaminants such as odors, mold, bacteria, allergens, and viruses. The Bluezone Viral Kill model utilizes enhanced ultraviolet irradiation that is optimized for destroying viruses in occupied spaces. The Bluezone’s reaction chamber results in a 99.9995% kill rate, including the COVID virus. On a practical level, and taking into consideration the sizes of the Churches, this means that the air in St. Anthony of Padua Church will be purified approximately every 15 minutes, and at St. Teresa of Avila Church it will be purified approximately every 8 minutes.
My brothers and sisters, I pray that the actions I have taken can finally help you to embrace those words of Christ, “Peace be with you.” I pray all of you can finally begin to place your fears and anxieties aside and know that you are safe to come to Christ at Mass and receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It is time to finally allow science to help us overcome our fears and break down everything that is dividing the Body of Christ. As your Pastor, I pray that if you, or someone you know, have refrained from coming to Mass and receiving the Blessed Sacrament, that you now consider this to be the time to return to Our Lord. Christ beckons you to himself. He says, “Peace be with you.” ~Fr. Smith
