June 2020

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C H U R C H in a T I M E of P A N D E M I C The

FROM THE BISHOP

Assist God in drawing the greatest good from these times IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN a part of my spiritual life that any difficulty which comes my way must be a part of God’s permissive will, that is, that it falls within his Divine Providence. This does not mean that he causes evil, but that he allows it for a greater good. In my prayer, that has always had me go to the Cross of Jesus. The Father certainly allowed this most horrible of all evils to his beloved Son because he knew he would draw great good from it: our salvation.

Bishop Boyea has issued guidelines for parishes to reopen gradually. The details of exactly how this will occur is left to the discretion of pastors. For information about your parish, call or visit the parish website. To read the full guidelines, visit: dioceseoflansing.org/coronavirus#Advisory Here are a few things you can expect: • An extension of the general dispensation from the Sunday obligation •S ocial distancing will be practiced •Y ou may be asked to wear a mask •L iturgical changes will be in place •A ttendance will be limited to a percentage of the church’s seating capacity

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The Eucharist should never be that. But we In that vein, I have been contemplating are human. The blessing here, if we grasp what goods God is desiring to draw from this it, is weekly to examine ourselves and our coronavirus situation. The reason why this worthiness and readiness to take the Lord is a worthwhile exercise on my part is that of Glory into our lives. And then the work of it then calls me to cooperate with God’s will praise and thanks afterwards must become a and assist in bringing about those goods. regular part of our “routine” in order to avoid Certainly, one blessing which has arisen merely habitual behavior. from these times is the amazing creativity Another blessing of these of our priests. There has been times is the nature of the parish an abundant use of technology, community, of our belonging to which was quite minimal before. “ When we are the body of Christ as physically I have heard from many people, isolated, we made present in our diocese and especially those who were recognize that parish. When we are isolated, shut-ins even before Covid, that we recognize that this is not this has brought the life of the this is not how how we are supposed to be. We parish into their homes in such we are supposed are meant to be in communion. blessed ways for them. to be. We are Again, we can all too often take Another blessing has been meant to be in this for granted. It should never the growing hunger for the be taken for granted. It is how Eucharist. First of all, these communion.” Jesus called us, formed us, saved times have emphasized yet us, and now abides with us. again the sheer importance of So, the question for all of us is: Will we all the Mass as the act of Jesus offering himself recognize the blessings from these times, will to the heavenly Father. Our priests have we embrace them, and will we seek to assist been faithfully continuing that work of Jesus God in drawing the greatest good from what over these many days. The entire Church, has been a difficult period in our mutual including all shut-ins at home, is enriched history? God seeks that. Do we? by this daily celebration of the Mass for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. However, the hunger for the Eucharist has also grown. Perhaps we had become too complacent in our regular weekly reception BISHOP EARL BOYEA of our Lord’s body and blood. Perhaps we is the fifth bishop of the have not even given enough thought to our Catholic Diocese of Lansing worthiness and readiness to receive him. @BishopBoyea Any habits can become mind-numbing.

Diocese of Lansing return to Mass

FROM THE EDITOR

Missing the community of faith and love our parishes provide I AM WRITING THIS COLUMN on Thursday, May 21. This puts us just a little over two months into the period of time that public liturgies in our diocese have been suspended. As of this week, parishes in our diocese have been given the option to gradually reopen the public celebration of weekday Masses with a very small congregation in attendance. Things feel very

T.Gennera

different in church right now.

Today was also the last day of formal instruction for the students in our parish school. As I noted in my homily for our weekly school Mass – livestreamed to the homes of our students and anyone else who wished to take part – when we started the current school year last FATHER DWIGHT EZOP August, we could not possibly have anticipated how the last two months of the school year is the editor of would operate. Distance learning has been FAITH Magazine the means for providing daily academic and and pastor of spiritual formation for our students. Faculty, St. Mary Parish, staff, students and parents have been great Charlotte and through these last two months. They accepted St. Ann Church, the changes that needed to be made as we Bellevue followed our governor’s stay home order, deEmail: editor@ signed to slow the spread of COVID-19. I also FAITHpub.com. noted in my homily that we normally would end with annual awards, the school field day and talent show, and so much more. We are finding different ways for some of that to happen, but things feel very different as we bring this school year to its conclusion. Things look, sound and feel very different around the parish right now. I miss being able to gather with a worshiping assembly in church for Mass. I miss having the opportunity to interact with the students, faculty and staff of the school. I miss so many aspects of parish life that happen outside of Mass. I’m not sure that I miss the evening meetings, but that’s a different story. I know many people of the parish have been missing both the spiritual and the social aspects of being able to be together as a parish community. I try to read the comments that are made by folks after our daily livestreamed Mass. They miss being in church, they miss receiving the Eucharist and they miss being with one another. Much to my surprise, and shortly after the stay home order was issued, I heard a lot of laughter coming from the parish parking lot. It was a beautiful, brisk spring day and a small group of folks had gathered in the parish parking lot. They had brought their lawn chairs and spaced them out to practice the physical distancing we are called to practice. Seated in a big circle in the parking lot, they each had their own snack and a tasty beverage. Gathered there, they were having a wonderful time just chatting, laughing, sharing stories, catching up on the news of the community FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

and being parish community with and for one another. I think I spent over an hour out there with them that first gathering. They have returned several times since, especially as the weather has warmed up, and each time they are respectful of the guidelines we have to live with as they seek to be the body of Christ together – acting in genuine care and concern for one another. I don’t know that any of us could have anticipated in the spring of 2019 how we would be living in the spring of 2020. Things are different. We know that so many people have been directly or indirectly affected by the coronavirus. At this moment, we are anticipating reopening some aspects of our daily lives. We are making plans for the resumption of Sunday Masses with a limited congregation present in church. I hope, as we move forward, we remember just how much we need the Eucharist, the life of communal prayer that we find in church, and the community of faith and love that our parishes make possible in so many unique ways. I hope we put those lessons into action and never let go of them. And so, our journey in FAITH continues.

Y O U R PA R I S H BRINGS YOU THE LIGHT of CHRIST. Please help keep the light shining by giving through your parish’s online program or app.

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The Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing JUNE 2020 VOLUME 20: ISSUE 5

The C H U R C H in a T I M E of P A N D E M I C

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PARENTING

Nora tries to be a light in the darkness

Fernando ‘puts it in God’s hands’

Pace and peace

FINDING HAPPINESS

Holy Moley! Hilda makes 1,000 enchiladas

How can I find happiness in this unhappy time?

IN THE KNOW WITH FAT H E R J O E How much do I have to love my enemies?

SPECIAL REPORT

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How have parishes served the faithful during the pandemic?

How has the Church continued to serve the people of God during this crisis?

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MARRIAGE MATTERS

Q How do we divide child-care tasks while both working full-time from home?

ince we can’t ask either of our parents to watch the kids in these times, we are trying to navigate child

care together while both working full-time at home. How do we divide tasks such as schooling, and basic child care duties, while both of us are feeling pressure from work?

STEVE AND BRIDGET PATTON

hold master’s degrees in theology and counseling and serve as family life ministers for the Diocese of Sacramento.

Start with this all-purpose prayer embedded within every Mass: “Father, all-powerful and ever living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks ...” In other words, no matter what challenges life might throw your way, including the new disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, start by thanking God. Expressing what you’re grateful for will help you not only find a practical solution to your immediate problem, but, more importantly, it will also help you grow closer to one another and to God. Where to begin? Thank him that you are both healthy, that you both still have jobs, that you have children to care for (who are thereby helping you become better people), that you have a home, that you have the gifts of one another to depend upon and that you have your faith. Next, zero in on gratefulness for your jobs and for one another.

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

If you’re grateful to be employed, chances are your employers are also grateful to have you. So if you’re struggling with the work-at-home scene, be open and honest about it with your employers (while nevertheless being grateful to them). Could they possibly make some accommodations that would make it easier for you to coordinate your work days? Next, be open and honest with one another about your respective gifts and limitations as child caregivers. And be ready to stretch, especially if in the past you have reflexively relied upon “traditional” gender roles. This is a new opportunity to creatively and generously demonstrate your willingness to suffer well for the sake of your family. Nurturing gratefulness within your hearts, while also expressing it to your employers, your children, one another and God is much more than a mere program for optimistic living. It is a decision to be, and to live, in right order with God and with one another. We who love God can trust that no matter how the pandemic affects us — from a mere nuisance to more serious implications — it will, eventually, “work together for the good” (Rom 8:28), and for that we can and should thank him. In God’s kingdom, it is not the happiest who are the most grateful, but the most grateful who are the happiest.

PARENTING

Pace Peace

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Building family traditions that will last “FOR I, THE LORD, DO NOT CHANGE.” (MAL 3:6)

SHERI WOHLFERT

is a Catholic school teacher, speaker, writer and founder of Joyful Words Ministries. Sheri blogs at www. joyfulwords.org

These words have been an anchor for me the past several weeks as change has swirled about us. Despite the uncertainty, change and disruptions we’ve faced, God has worked powerfully, and many of the changes we’ve experienced have been good ones. Eventually, things will return to what was familiar, but there are some changes I hope stick around. Pace and Peace: Before you fill your family calendar back up, prayerfully ponder the things you’ve been fine without and carefully consider which activities you truly need to return to. Prayer: Although we long for public Mass and the Eucharistic True Presence, living room Mass has given us the chance to be truly present in our Domestic

Church. Trade continued family prayer for the rush and hustle which made these experiences difficult or scarce. The fruit of this change will be balance, and a family focused on Godly pursuits rather than worldly ones. Simplicity: Conversation and connection while sharing family meals, games and movies should continue to be a regular thing. It may have felt like we stepped back in time, but the blessings from that giant step backward have brought laughter, joy and an appreciation for those closest to us. We don’t need more places and things, we need more time to love our families. Gratitude: We developed and expressed our gratitude for health care and essential

workers. Through their example, we saw the service Jesus taught as he washed the apostles’ feet at the Last Supper. We need to remain aware of and grateful for those who serve others, and be inspired to serve others more ourselves. Empathy: Our hearts have been touched by the isolation, loneliness and hardship this time has caused many. We should continue to recognize those who need our prayers and our help, and work as a family to help those who struggle and suffer. Relationships: We’ve been reminded that people are more important than stuff. Father Mike Schmitz, from the Diocese of Duluth and a frequent presenter on Ascension Presents videos, says that we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with, so when we are able to socialize again, choose the relationships that you invest in wisely. 7

FINDING HAPPINESS

d n i f I n a c w Ho s i h t n i ss e n i pp a h ? e m i t y pp a h n u Getty Images/Ponomariova_Maria

Jim Berlucchi, our Work Life columnist, offers specific

CONTEMPLATE. This isn’t just

for monks. Contemplation is simply focusing on something beautiful, and finding God in so doing. Our senses are the portals. So gaze at whatever moves you — a sunset, the face of a child, a landscape. Be starstruck with a moonlit night. Listen to music or poetry that uplifts or energizes you. Take some time every day to contemplate.

suggestions on how to find happiness and “be not anxious” during these difficult times. So bring to mind (courage is a habit of the mind) all the hundreds of small and larger challenges you’ve overcome in life. Then say to yourself, “I’ve made it this far, and I’ll keep on making it.” Keep saying it until it sticks. You’re not making something up. You’re drawing on what’s already there and putting it on. Put on courage.

Nonetheless we have trials. So what to do?

Put on CONFIDENCE.

Put on COURAGE. Courage is not mostly a heroic act. It’s mostly endurance — getting through any difficulty. Any adversity you’ve endured has left some deposit of courage.

St. Thomas notes that confidence is a subset of courage. It’s from the Latin word confidential, which translates con (with) plus fides (faith). Confidence is a form of faith — faith in yourself, faith in the future, faith in God. Divine faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Put on confidence.

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Courage, Confidence, Contemplation. A triple threat against unhappiness. And just in case, three more C’s, all solidly Catholic, can’t hurt — Chocolate, Corndogs and Cheetos.

JIM BERLUCCHI T. GENNARA

For starters, don’t let the doomsayers fill your mind. A recent magazine cover proclaimed: Age of Anxiety. Apparently the editors had not consulted the One who said: “Be not anxious about your life.” And he knew something about anxiety and pandemics as well. He was the Lamb who wiped out the ultimate pandemic, the sin of the world.

is co-founder of the Spitzer Center for Visionary Leadership.

Dear Father Joe, What does it actually mean to love my enemies? How do I do that?

I’m so glad you asked this question; it’s one that is always timely, in my opinion. So, let’s get right to it. First, let’s look at who our enemies are. Not everyone who disagrees with you is your enemy. Not everyone who believes something different than you is your enemy. Not everyone who doesn’t like you is your enemy. I worry at times that we’ve become so wrapped up in our opinions and ideas that we’ve come to tie DEAR them to our identity. When this happens, any time someone disagrees with us, we get wildly angry because we’ve lost track of the fact that they are disagreeing with us, not attacking our value or worth. I also tend to worry that we’ve allowed ourselves to become very useful tools of political parties. Politicians spend a lot of time and money fighting each other and trying to get us to fight for them. They convince us that “the other people” are the enemy. I have friends whom I completely disagree with on politics and I believe with all my heart that they love our country and want it to be a better place: We simply disagree on how it should be accomplished. I urge us all to take some time and consider whether we let people who don’t care about us convince us to hate those who do. An enemy is someone who wishes to harm us. An enemy is someone who doesn’t care about or honor our God-given dignity. An enemy is someone who acts intentionally against us. So, we have a sense of who our enemies are, let’s get into ideas and actions that will help us love them. To love our enemies does not mean we are their friends. It does not mean that we are to continue to put ourselves in a position to get hurt. That’s important to remember. Forgiveness does not necessarily involve reconciliation with the party who has wounded us. Forgiveness requires you and God; reconciliation with the person requires them, God and you.

As hard as we try to be virtuous, just and kind, we may be surprised to find that people consider us an enemy. There are people walking around right now carrying hurt in their hearts over something we have said or done; the moment we forget that, we can get ourselves in some trouble. I have taken time in prayer to thank God for the people I have hurt who have forgiven me without me even knowing. In his book, The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis wrote, “Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” When we are called to love our enemies, we need to put aside the idea IN THE that this love is somehow tied KNOW WITH to our feelings. Our feelings FATHER JOE are feral things — they come and they go and we have little control over them. For the most part, we can’t “make” ourselves feel anything. Instead of going FATHE R JOE : by whether we feel love for our enemies, we need to focus on what we do. To love our enemies, we simply have to be praying for them. We should pray that God heals whatever is broken in them and that he draws them closer to himself. We should pray that God forgives them and helps us to forgive them as well. We need to do what is good when it comes to those who are our enemies. In other words, we need to avoid acts of vengeance or behavior that would harm them. This can be tough — so again, pray hard for the strength to do the good. If our enemy is someone whose presence is bad for us — for example, someone whose behavior is abusive — we do not need to spend time with them. Forgiveness is not reconciliation; love is not necessarily relationship. We pray for them and leave their brokenFATHER ness to God to heal. JOE KRUPP Remember most of all, that your enemy is also a is a former beloved child of God and only God can see him or comedy writer her clearly. In the same way, God sees you perfectly — who is now a faults and all — and still loves you unconditionally. Catholic priest. Don’t forget that unconditional love is freely given to @Joeinblack your enemy as well. When it comes down to it, even your enemy is your brother or sister in Christ. So pray for them, and wish them well. Enjoy another day in God’s presence!

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T. Gennara

How much do I have to love my enemies?

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RECONNECTING

BY PAT MISH

Managing Editor FAITH Grand Rapids

R E C O N N E C T I O N S Making this ‘bonus time’ with adult children count

It seems like only yesterday that many of us said a bittersweet goodbye to our adult children as they headed off to college, trade school or a first “real” job. Like any new chapter, it brought mixed emotions: For parents, perhaps grief, pride and relief; for young adults, a sense of exhilaration tinged with fears and hopes. That was fall. In this springtime of COVID-19, many have come home. After a lifetime of preparing to leave the nest, their return has been jarringly sudden: Campuses closed. Workers furloughed or laid off. Construction and building halted. Cooking and eating together. My adult son, always a cooking show fan, treated us to his trademark homemade meatballs. Baking bread, trying new recipes or even just washing the dishes can be good opportunities to laugh, talk and be together.

Sunday outings. Take a walk in the park, participate in a virtual 5K or dust off the bikes and hit the trails. Variations on that theme: visit a cemetery and share stories about deceased family members; support local restaurants by grabbing takeout and having a picnic; try something new like ultimate Frisbee or disc golf. Movie nights. Dig out the old family VHS tapes and have a “watch party,” before sending them in to get them transferred to DVD or another format. Spring for a new release (if you can agree on a film!).

As state economies gradually reopen and colleges develop strategies for safe starts in the fall, we have reason to hope that these days of sheltering in place are only temporary. Just as those first 18 years went by “in the blink of an eye,” so will these weeks and months. Let’s make them count!

iStock/Marco Campagna

Again, mixed emotions: Most of our kids would rather be at college or work, seeing friends and, well, actually leaving the house. They have had to cope with the challenges of online classes or working remotely, and a loss of hard-earned independence. Even we parents who secretly rejoiced at this unexpected turn of events may ask ourselves: “Do they think the dishes put themselves away?” “Why is our food budget twice as high as the mortgage payment?” But if we parents look past the driveway that looks like a usedcar lot and the crumbs on the counter, and our kids can forgive us for occasionally forgetting they are no longer 12 and failing to buy enough potato chips, we can find new ways to connect with one another during this unplanned together time. Indeed, this “bonus time” together offers many opportunities to reconnect and make lasting memories:

Find ways to help others.

Sew masks together, choose a charity to contribute to, expand a bit on grace before dinner to give thanks and pray for family members and friends who are ill or facing unemployment because of the coronavirus.

Pope Francis’ prayer for newly reunited families: “May the Lord help them discover new ways, new expressions of love, of living together in this new situation. It is a wonderful occasion for rediscovering true affection with creativity in the family. Let us pray for families so that relationships in the family at this time always thrive for the good.”

SPECIAL REPORT

HOW HAS THE CHURCH CONTINUED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF GOD DURING THIS CRISIS? Tom Gennara

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread throughout the United States, sickening more than a million people, and killing more than 80,000. The whole nation is dealing with grief, and an almost surreal environment of activities curtailed, shelter at home orders in place and schools and businesses closed. During all this, the Church has had to find new ways to serve the people of God. Across the United States, and in many other parts of the world, public Masses were suspended and the celebration of the sacraments curtailed. People have had to postpone weddings and baptisms. Catechumens are still waiting to enter the Church as they’d planned to do at the Easter Vigil. Funerals have been delayed or celebrated with a tiny fraction of those who are mourning. It has been a time of unparalleled challenges, but the Church has risen to face them. 12

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

All over the world, clergy, parish staff and parishioners have found creative ways to continue to serve the faithful. Although the inability to receive the Eucharist, the very “source and summit” of the Christian life, has been painful and difficult for Catholics, parish and diocesan efforts to minister to their flocks have been nothing short of inspired. Livestreamed Masses, daily reflections, prayer resources, spiritual Communion, drive-thru confessions, “quarantine catechesis,” Rosary livestreaming, videos and “fireside chats” with bishops and pastors, virtual Theology on Tap. Pastoral efforts The list is lengthy. Pastoral efforts by to reach out to priests and parish staff parishioners have to reach out to parishbuilt and reinforced ioners by phone, email a sense of parish as and social media have built and reinforced a community despite sense of parish as comphysical separation. munity despite physical separation. Livestreamed Masses help parishioners encounter Christ in

hoto

C ON F E S S I ON By appointment only: 53%

ANOINTING OF THE SICK

Suspended: 32%

By appointment only: 58%

Administering as usual: 17%

Administering as usual: 24%

Rescheduled: 3%

Suspended: 16% Immediate family only: 5% Rescheduled: 2%

Below are some statistics on how parishes are handling sacrament preparation

BAPTISM PREP

C ON F I R M AT I ON P R E P

Suspended: 69%

Suspended: 53%

Video classes/ one-on-one: 22%

Email communication: 36%

Email communication: 11% Telephone conferences: 9% Livestreamed/ video replay: 7%

Video classes/ one-on-one: 23% Livestreamed/ video replay: 6% Telephone conferences: 4%

Source: FAITH Catholic survey of parishes (April 23 to May 7, 2020).

the liturgy, and outreach on behalf of clergy and staff, assuring parishioners of their personal prayers for them, offers a sense of accompaniment that makes the Church truly present in people’s lives in a tangible way in this troubled time. As the Church, this is a time to communicate more, not less, with the faithful. And the best efforts over the last few weeks have provided a voice of hope, and brought the grace of our Lord, Jesus, and the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, to countless souls.

N lic o

According to an online survey conducted by FAITH Catholic, the majority of parishes across the United States either suspended the celebration of baptism, confirmation, weddings and funerals, or limited their celebration to private events with immediate family members. Below are some numbers from parishes across the United States indicating how they have handled the administration of the sacraments of confession and anointing of the sick.

Ca th

How has the Church celebrated the sacraments during this time?

ge sA ew

P /File ncy

Archbishop Gregory

Bishops consecrating the United States to Mary, the mother of God In a prayerful response to the pandemic, bishops across the U.S. and Canada reconsecrated those countries to Mary. This was particularly appropriate as we entered the month of May, traditionally dedicated to the mother of God. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, led a Renewal of the Consecration of the United States of America to the Blessed Virgin Mary on May 1. He said, “In this difficult time we turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of the Church. She intercedes with her Son for all are affected in this way by the pandemic ... We implore her maternal care for her children … Mary was the first person to consecrate herself to Jesus, the first to offer her whole heart to do his will, to set his beautiful plan of redemption. We ask God to give us that same faith, that same courage ... the strength to follow Jesus, to seek his holiness and his kingdom.” In Washington, D.C., Archbishop Wilton Gregory presided over a similar, livestreamed liturgy of consecration, praying “In this time of pandemic, we come to you, our sign of sure hope and comfort. Today we renew the act of consecration and entrustment carried out by those who have gone before us.” 13

Pope Francis celebrates a morning Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta. Credit: Vatican Media.

U.S. Bishops ask why coronavirus is devastating black communities The Bishops of the United States are calling for an examination of why the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted African-American communities. “Our hearts are wounded for the many souls mourned as African-American communities across the nation are being disproportionately infected with and dying from the virus that causes COVID-19,” said a statement released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) on May 4. “We raise our voices to urge state and national leaders to examine the generational and systemic structural conditions that make the new coronavirus especially deadly to AfricanAmerican communities,” said the statement, which was signed by Bishop Shelton Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, Archbishop Nelson Perez of Philadelphia and Bishop Joseph Perry, an auxiliary bishop of Chicago. – Catholic News Agency

Pope Francis prays for those who have died alone At Mass on May 5, Pope Francis said, “Today we pray for the deceased who have died because of the pandemic. They have died alone, without the caresses of their loved ones. So many did not even have a funeral. May the Lord welcome them in his glory.”

BISHOP ENGAGES HIS FLOCK IN PENSACOLA

Prayers being offered in Baltimore

On Facebook Live, Bishop Bill Wack of the Diocese of Pensacola chats with the faithful at 9 p.m. each evening to offer encouragement, prayer and a brief lesson on the books of the Bible, the liturgy or the saints.

Archbishop William Lori has invited people to submit their prayer requests on the Archdiocese of Baltimore website: www.archbalt.org/prayer-request He has pledged to take those petitions to the altar each day as he celebrates Mass, and will lift them up in prayer.

Today we pray for the deceased who have died because of the pandemic. May the Lord welcome them in his glory.”

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Catholic TV tweets for your prayer requests In the Archdiocese of Boston, Bishop Robert Reed, the head of CatholicTV, tweeted “I’m guessing you have some things for which we can pray?? Send them to: CatholicTV.com/pray and they will go to the chapel." Bishop Reed is celebrating a memorial Mass on May 29 for COVID-19 victims. You can submit names for prayers on their behalf.

e av

ba Hr

e Catholic Spirit /Th cek

Who helps the helpers? In the Diocese of St. Augustine, it’s this priest

Easter blessings in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/ Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda and Bishop Andrew Cozzens offered drive-thru blessings on a chilly Easter morning in St. Paul/Minneapolis. Photo credit: Susan Mulheron, Chancellor for Canonical Affairs of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

Mark Udry

Fred Rodgers is often quoted as saying, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” But who is helping the helpers cope during this pandemic? Father Leonard Chuwa is the director of spiritual care for Ascension St. Vincent’s and its three hospitals in the Jacksonville area. He and three other priests provide comfort and spiritual help for hundreds of patients, thousands of employees and an untold number of relatives and friends of those stricken with the coronavirus. (Courtesy St. Augustine Catholic)

STITCHED WITH LOVE Adela Hernandez, from St. Joseph Parish in Waite Park, Minn., and her friend Elena Limon have sewn more than 150 masks to donate to their local hospital. (Courtesy The Central Minnesota Catholic)

EUCHARISTIC BLESSINGS AT FEET In the Diocese of Lansing, Father Mark Rutherford blessed the entire diocese with the holy Eucharist. His chartered Cessna 182 flew over the diocese’s 10 counties while Father Mark blessed all of the people below. He was assisted by a seminarian, Brett Ivey.

FAT H E R C H A S CANOY AND A PA R I S H F U L L O F PA L M S Father Chas Canoy, pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Jackson, Mich., was missing his parishioners as Holy Week began. So, on Palm Sunday, he taped palms to the places people would normally be sitting in the pews. He says they will be waiting for parishioners when they can all be together again.

TEACHING ON ZOOM Smiles abounded even during the first days of the coronoavirus pandemic. Several fourth-graders at Our Lady of Peace School in Erie, Pa., enjoyed social hour with their teacher, who brings education home through Zoom sessions. (Courtesy FAITH, the magazine of the Diocese of Erie)

Adoration from afar At St. Mary Church in Upsala, Minn., Father Jeremy Theis realized he could take advantage of the churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s large front window to offer adoration to parishioners in the parking lot. People must stay safely in their cars, but can pray from afar. (Courtesy The Central Minnesota Catholic)

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Catholic Charities still helping those in need Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Salina, Kan., distributed food and hygiene supplies in parish parking lots around the diocese on April 15. (Courtesy Faith, the magazine of the Diocese of Salina)

F A I T H ’ S F AT H E R J O E TA K E S TO THE STREETS WITH JESUS On March 22, Father Joe Krupp set off on a 90-minute eucharistic procession through the streets of his parish in Grand Blanc, Mich. “Jesus carries us, we are going to carry him today. I want you to know I will be carrying all you in my hearts. Especially all our medical professionals, all those working in hospitals, you are not alone. To all our senior citizens, people in hospital, who are kind of trapped in their rooms and alone — you are not alone. We love you. We are thinking of you and God sees you.”

Also from Father Joe — catechesis in the pandemic Father Joe Krupp is offering “Quarantine Catechesis” on Facebook. People can tune in during their lunch hours Tuesdays through Fridays for lively presentations on Church teaching and sacraments.

Feeding the hungry during the crisis The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop ministries from continuing to help those in need. At the St. John & Holy Rosary Eastside Food Pantry in Erie, Pa., providing much-needed food in time of isolation was a top priority. Pictured in the foreground, from left, are: Chris Jones of the Mercy Center for Women; volunteer Marilyn Mead; Jennie Hagerty of the Mercy Center for Women; and volunteer Jean Burns. In the back, from left, are volunteers John Brown and John Wedzikowski. (Courtesy FAITH, the magazine of the Diocese of Erie)

D R I V E -T H R U CONFESSION Like many priests across the country, Father Seamus Griesbach of Sabattus, Me., offered to hear confessions in the parking lot of his church. But he has more carpentry skills than many other priests, so he built a confessional, with a small door, in his father’s basement, and then attached it to the window of the rectory at Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Sabattus, allowing penitents to drive up. (Courtesy Harvest magazine)

Remembering parishioners at Mass

On the front lines Father Matthew Mauriello, chaplain of St. Camillus nursing home in Stamford, Conn., gives his all for his ministry. Because families have been unable to visit their loved ones during this time, Father Matthew is often the only visitor for the residents each day other than receiving meals and medicine. (Courtesy World Apostolate of Fatima, Our Lady’s Blue Army)

Father John Jacquel, pastor of the partnered parishes of St. John and Holy Rosary in Erie, Pa., takes comfort in the faces of parishioners whose pictures are posted on the pews of the empty chapel at Holy Rosary, where he says Mass privately every Saturday afternoon. With all Masses suspended, priests such as Father Jacquel say Mass privately every day or with a deacon assistant. It takes some creativity — and a lot of prayer — to get through difficult times! (Courtesy FAITH, the magazine of the Diocese of Erie)

GROW+GO

Look for small doors that the Holy Spirit opens to share your faith

Our family loves Miss Bobbi. For the past six years, when we’re outside, inevitably, Miss Bobbi ventures across the street for three huge kid hugs and the latest neighborhood news. She’s a gift to our family, and I believe we are a blessing to her too. Recently, these exchanges have looked and felt different. Air hugs have replaced real hugs, COVID-19 has trumped Michigan basketball discussions, and a relationship that once complemented other familial bonds has turned into a relational lifeline.

T.Gennera

Who are you being called to weep with? In a season of quarantine, uncertainty, Who should you forgive? Who needs a social distance and fear, how are disciples prayer for healing? Who can you provide called to respond? In particular, what does for? Who needs to hear the truth in love? it look like to grow and go during this Whose life should you put before your own? unprecedented time? I think it’s focusing on PETE BURAK The Holy Spirit will inspire us if we ask the basics. All growth and all evangelization is the director of these questions, he will give us the wisdom start with authentic love. The expansion of i.d.9:16. He has a to know how to respond and the strength to our ability to love is critical for us to have master’s degree see it through. While we must take advanany chance of making disciples during a in theology, and tage of this time to grow closer to Jesus and time of isolation. is a frequent detach from many of the things that distract Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new comspeaker at events us, we cannot pause our missionary activity. mandment I give to you, that you love one anfor youth and Evangelization is vitally important, because other, even as I have loved you, that you also young adults. Christianity’s bold claims about life, death love one another. By this all men will know and salvation shine brightest when things that you are my disciples, if you have love for are darkest. Let’s commit ourselves to loving one another.” Jesus tells us that others will heroically both in and out of our homes. know we are his if we love each other — not Let’s be looking for small doors the Holy Spirit opens on our terms, but based on his example. So how did Jesus to share the source of our joy and the freedom of love? He wept with those who were mourning (Martha Christ’s Lordship. and Mary). He extended healing and forgiveness (through The world needs us. Miss Bobbi needs us, even if his miracles). He made wine (the Wedding at Cana). He all we can offer, right now, is a smile and three masspoke the truth even it was rejected or hard to hear. (Jn 6). sive air hugs. Ultimately, he laid down his life for his friends. FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Getty Images/Chainarong Prasertthai

Getty Imagtes/Morsa Images

STORIES FROM THE PANDEMIC Thoe Reh

Neh Reh

REFUGEES FROM M YA N M A R WA I T to be welcomed into the Church HOW RCIA CONTINUES IN THE PANDEMIC The Sunday before the “stay home, stay safe” order was issued in Michigan, 33 RCIA candidates at St. Mary Cathedral in Lansing had shown up to be fitted for their baptismal garments. Schools had been closed a week earlier, and concern about the spread of the coronavirus was growing. RCIA Director Rebecca Kanclerz had arranged for the candidates to come in shifts and to practice social distancing, but she could see fear on some of their faces — especially the elder members of the group. Thirty of the candidates (15 adults, 9 teens, 6 children) are refugees from the Karenni state of Myanmar, who have been settled at different times over the years by St. Vincent Catholic Charities Refugee Services.

Rebecca has tried to acquire a “let go and let God” attitude about the delay for initiation: “This group has been so excited! I didn’t want them to be disappointed.” Rebecca adds that not having Mass presents a particular problem for candidates learning English as a second language. “For learning prayers in English, it helps to have the assembly teach them,” she says. And although Rebecca is grateful for the ability to stay in contact with the candidates by Zoom, she says, “I can’t read facial expressions, or see everyone at the same time. It’s difficult to really be present when you can’t make eye contact or be face to face.” Neh Reh, one of the candidates, confirms that gathering with the assembly is important. “Going to Mass is helpful. It is hard to learn the prayers without hearing others say them,” he says. Smiling, Neh Reh adds, “As an old man, it is hard to learn a new language.”

“Family faith is important in our life. I am very After observing the unease at the fitting, Rebecca asked Father Karl Pung, rector of the cathedral, if she could teach the remaining RCIA sessions remotely. Father Karl agreed, and then God provided. Just before the “stay home” order was announced, volunteer translator Thoe Reh went to the homes of all nine Karenni families and set up Zoom accounts for them so they were able to continue their preparation. “Thanks be to God” was Rebecca’s reaction. As it says in 2 Corinthians, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (9:8) Few of the candidates speak English fluently, so in the role of translator, Thoe Reh has become an essential part of the RCIA team. Thoe began coming to St. Mary’s in 2010, after living in a refugee camp in Thailand since 1996. He had fled Myanmar at the age of 4 with his parents.

happy for me and my wife to be baptized. If I could, I would like to make a party with the whole community.”

He and his wife, Nga Meh, moved to Lansing from Myanmar five years ago. They are excited about being baptized, and joining their five children and eight grandchildren as members of the Church. Neh Reh says the parish has been welcoming, and he especially appreciates the English-as-second-language classes offered there. Regardless of how full the church is at their baptism, Neh Reh and his family will celebrate. “Family faith is important in our life. I am very happy for me and my wife to be baptized. If I could, I would like to make a party with the whole community,” he says. BY SUE PARKER

STORIES FROM THE PANDEMIC

‘Spring

is when you get to do the FUN stuff ’

Nora TRIES TO BE A

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

For Nora Fiero and her Haslett High School classmates, this has been a dark year. “ Spring is when you get to do the fun stuff about being a senior.” Nora lists: “Senior Recognition [Ceremony], the senior run, prom. I was part of the tech crew for the theater group and we missed our spring play this year. Obviously, we won’t have commencement like we usually would.

“I was really upset about missing those, but I’m trying to stay positive. We’ve certainly had worse losses. When we came back from winter break, our principal, Mr. Wegenke, wasn’t at school. Over the holiday, he was diagnosed with advanced stage pancreatic cancer. It was weird. The first day back from break, my teachers were OK if we didn’t get a lot of work done. When he passed just a week later, we were all in shock.” 20

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Two other former teachers also died around the same time. “I’m trying to keep a positive attitude. I reach out to friends and check in with family more often, just to see how they’re doing. I let them know I’m there for them and try to make them smile a bit. Sometimes I make sure to tell them it’s OK to not be OK. “When we ask, ‘How are you,’ I think we mean it more. It used to be a greeting we glossed over, now it’s a lifestyle change. We really do want to know. “When this is over and we get back to normal, I’ll try to have a deeper appreciation for small things I took for granted. Going back to work, being with my co-workers and the social aspect of school come to mind. I really like being around people. Which is something I look forward to when I attend Ferris [State University] in the fall. “Youth group helps. I’m part of groups at both St. Martha, my home parish, and St. Gerard, where my dad used to work. Both offer a consistent place with a great group of friends. Whether we’re together in person or online through ZOOM, they help me a lot. “Mass also helps. It gives consistency and links me to my faith. Between school, job, friends and more, it’s easy to forget about faith. But my mom has made sure our family watches livestreamed Mass every Sunday. I especially appreciate the time right after Communion when we sit quietly and pray. “Another thing that helps is my art. I definitely have a lot more time to paint and draw now, so that’s been cool. I don’t think I’m an especially great artist, but I enjoy creating. My friends kept encouraging me to make an Instagram account for my artwork. I was afraid of putting myself out there, but my friends really helped. Now I’m glad I did. “I’ve also been baking a lot more. From what I hear, my family enjoys it. Whatever I make always gets eaten! “Basically, I’m just trying my best to stay positive and take care of my well-being. That’s all anyone can do in this time. Do things you love and try to be a good influence on yourself and the people you care about so you can be a light in the darkness. That can get us through even the darkest times.” BY NANCY ROSEBUSH SCHERTZING

TRACK MEET, SENIOR AWARDS CEREMONY BUT FERNANDO

‘puts it in God’s hands’ Fernando Jimenez was looking forward to actually being a part of the senior awards ceremony this year. “ Every year I’ve played my trombone and watched with the band. This was my year to sit with the seniors and hear my name announced,” he says. “They could do an online version, but honestly, I probably wouldn’t like it. It wouldn’t have the same

Getty Images/Nottomanv1

feeling as being together with my class. “Probably my biggest loss is that I didn’t get to go to my last track meet. My sophomore year, I made it to state finals, and it has been my goal since then to go back. I love how many people show up to watch all the athletes compete! I was within a few seconds of making the state cut in the 800-meter event, and I was hoping to repeat. “I actually hated running when I started as a seventh-grader. I wanted to play football, but my cousin was on the high school cross country team at the time. I followed her suggestion and signed up. It was awful in the beginning! But after I got done running, I had a real sense of accomplishment. “As the years went along, I enjoyed heading out of the house for a run. It clears my head and feels good, but it’s easier to do when I have teammates to run with. I hate that I don’t have the motivation now with everything closed down. But I’m planning to run cross country for Olivet College in the fall and also serve in the National Guard as a student. That should give me plenty of new teammates to run with. “I’m excited to leave for boot camp on June 9. Meeting new people and making everything feel like it’s the first time will be great. But I guess I also don’t like thinking about how my life is going to change soon.

“Before everything shut down, my typical day was filled with school, then a meet or practice, then work until closing at the Big Boy. I almost never got home until late. Now that I’m home more, I actually spend time with my little brother. We’ve been watching movies, going for walks or I run alongside him while he rides his bike. He’s actually smarter than I thought! We are 10 years apart, so I didn’t know what he knew and what he didn’t. “On Sundays, our whole family gets together for Mass in our living room. We watch the livestream from Cristo Rey Parish or St. Joseph Parish here in St. Johns. I miss youth group and being with everyone during Mass at Cristo Rey, but this time is helping me grow closer with my family. “I pray every day that God will keep us safe and none of us will get sick. It helps me to keep from overthinking and worrying about it. To put it in God’s hands helps me know everything is going to be alright. Our faith tells us that everything happens for a reason, and I trust that this is part of God’s plan for me. “Nothing is the same, and I will miss a lot that I was looking forward to. Nobody knew track season and the school year were going to end so fast. But maybe this is God’s way of helping me not take things for granted. I actually enjoy the time I spend with whatever I do . . . and whoever I do it with. “The days are passing, and I’m enjoying being with my family. That is a gift.” BY NANCY ROSEBUSH SCHERTZING

STORIES FROM THE PANDEMIC

HOLY MOLEY! 1,000 ENCHILADAS

Hilda is ‘home doing work I want to do with Catholic Charities’

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

nyone who has ever cooked for a large group knows that it is time-consuming, and certainly exhausting. But how about cooking for a crowd of 1,000? No, that’s not a typo, and it’s also no problem for Hilda McShane, a 30year volunteer at Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic this year and the restrictions that accompanied it, Hilda singlehandedly made 1,000 enchiladas for a Catholic Charities fundraiser. “I’ve done parties with 300 people; another 700 is nothing,” Hilda jokes. In February, Hilda and a fellow volunteer started making enchiladas in the Catholic Charities kitchen. But when Michigan’s stay-at-home order was implemented, Hilda decided to continue cooking on her own. After all, these enchiladas were for the Holy Moley drive-thru fundraiser for Cinco de Mayo, with all proceeds going to Catholic Charities. “It has been a difficult time, but I thought through how to cook these safely for the Livingston community, and things fell into place,” Hilda explains. Why Holy Moley? This is the name of Hilda’s signature homemade enchilada sauce recipe. Hilda grew up in Bay City, eating traditional Mexican food. Over the years, she’s tweaked her fam-

ily’s enchilada sauce recipe, serving it at gatherings and parties, but she longed to do something truly special with the sauce. Three years ago, Hilda approached Catholic Charities about a Lenten Friday fundraiser, selling cheese enchiladas coated in her “Holy Moley” sauce, with a side of rice and beans. The fundraiser was a hit, and community members keep coming back for more. This year, for Cinco de Mayo, Hilda added beef and chicken to the cheese enchiladas with her special sauce, for hundreds of lucky drive-thru customers. The daughter of two migrant workers from Texas, Hilda McShane grew up performing migrant work herself, picking tomatoes, green beans, melons and squash. She eventually earned a degree in business, with an emphasis in marketing. She worked with the Flint Journal, Genesee County Parks and the Genesee County Health Department before God steered her in a new direction – one that involved getting back to her roots of cooking traditional Mexican food. With the success of the Catholic Charities fundraisers, Hilda thought: “Why settle for a fundraiser once a year? My goal is to develop a sauce we can market and sell, with a portion of the profits going back to Catholic Charities.” This idea started at the time of the first fundraiser, when she had difficulty getting the main ingredient for her sauce: chili anchoes, or dried poblano peppers. She did track down enough peppers for the enchiladas, but she began researching why Michigan doesn’t produce poblano pepper. Her search led her to Ben Phillips, from Michigan State University Extension’s vegetable production team. Ben then got approval from MSU’s AgBioResearch Center to locally test-grow a variety of poblano peppers. “One of the reasons they moved Getty Images/Epine_art

forward is Ben discovered Michigan is on the same latitude as Hungary, and one of Hungary’s main exports is Hungarian peppers,” Hilda says. With Ben’s connection to Michigan farmers, he contacted John Leaman of Leaman’s Green Applebarn in Freeland, who had purchased a commercial dehydrator and was looking for additional products to dehydrate, Hilda explains. The orchard dried the vegetables, and at the end of the trial growing season, Hilda took the peppers back to Catholic Charities to be cleaned, weighed and sorted. The cleaned peppers were then taken to the Genesee Career Institute, where the culinary school used Hilda’s recipe to make enchilada sauce. The group held two taste trials – one at the Genesee Career Institute and one at the Saginaw Farmers Market. Powers Catholic High School student Isaac Dixon input the data, and MSU analyzed the results. The sauce with Michigan peppers performed better than the sauce with southwest peppers. Throughout this process, and whenever Hilda is at a standstill, she asks God for guidance on the next steps. She also gets inspiration from the homilies she hears at St. Pius X in Flint. “It’s really about having a lot of faith and listening to God’s message,” she says. “Throughout this

whole journey, I was led to various organizations and individuals by asking the question, ‘What next, God?’ I always get an answer. It’s so simple. You just ask and listen to him.” To ensure the project’s success, you need a lot of hands in the kitchen, which is why Hilda tapped into the resources she has: family. Her son, who has a background in graphic design and marketing, and her husband, an accountant, have also used their God-given tools to help. Hilda says, “Wouldn’t it be great, throughout all of this, if we could develop a pepper grown in Michigan? It would be a new product for the state and new jobs. It would also be a new taste for chili ancho in the world market.” But in the meantime, Hilda’s sauce and enchiladas continue to be a treat for her local community, and for Catholic Charities. As Hilda says: "Now, I'm home doing work I want to do with Catholic Charities.”

Genesee Career Institute staff and students participating in a Holy Moley enchilada taste trial.

It’s really about having a lot of faith and listening to God’s message.”

Hilda cleans and sorts the dried poblano peppers used in her Holy Moley sauce.

BY: CARI ANN DELAMIELLEURE-SCOTT

s e i rr e b Blue CULTURE

IN T H E FRE EZ ER ?

Treat yourself

TO S WE E T HOME MADE JAM 24

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

A couple of months ago, it all began. Cancellations of large events, followed by cancellations of schools and then … the cancellation of Mass. News of the pandemic was changing every minute for the worst … it was something that, for most of us, felt unreal. I vividly remember one day needing to unplug from reading the headlines and just walk outside for some fresh air. It was a beautiful and crisp sunny day. I heard a bird chirping in the distance and noticed a few small patches of lawn starting to green up. One thing was certain not to change … that spring was just around the corner despite what was happening in the world.

T. Gennara

I thought of the passage in Genesis 8:22: “All the days of the earth, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” The sunshine that day, and the gloriousness of God’s creation, reminded me that he is faithful to MICHELLE us, and has this in the palm of his hands. It brought DIFRANCO tremendous peace. is a designer and Well into our quarantine though, the anxiety crept the busy mom of in. We were getting low on foods we consumed regthree children. ularly. One of them was fruit jam. Since we did not want to venture out to the store, my husband tried to convince me we could go without it. What!? With three kids and all of the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches we consume … I slowly began to panic. I ran to our basement freezer to see what items I did have for the next several weeks. Amongst the frozen pizzas and meats, I noticed several gallon bags of blueberries from last July’s blueberry picking. I was elated, and decided I would get the whole family involved to make our own blueberry jam! A couple of weeks later, I stepped outside on the patio to enjoy a cup of coffee and a piece of toast with homemade blueberry jam. The grass was even greener, and I could hear the birds all around me. Amidst the uncertainty in the world, one thing was certain — summer was just around the corner. I savored every bite of the blueberry-covered toast, since it reminded me of the warm July morning they were picked. But the moment also reminded me that God’s faithfulness to Noah in the book of Genesis is the same for all of us, an inheritance that is everlasting. Filled with hope and knowing that God provides us with all of our needs, I felt at peace. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHANE FOLKERTSMA

E A SY BLU E BE R RY JA M Yields about five 8-ounce jars • 6 cups fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed) • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice • 2 teaspoons lemon zest • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon • 2 cups sugar • Small wide-mouth jars (washed if freezing, sterilized if canning)

In a medium stockpot, crush some of the blueberries with a potato masher. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, cinnamon and sugar. Bring to a rolling boil over medium heat, stirring often for about 18-20 (so it thickens). To test the thickness, put a small dollop on a frozen plate. If it’s still runny after about a minute, it needs a bit more time to boil. Ladle into small wide-mouth jars (to ¼ inch below rim). Cover and let sit until containers are almost room temp. Refrigerate for 3 weeks or store in the freezer for up to a year. This recipe works for the traditional canning method too! Just follow the safe canning instructions.

SURVEY

Getty Images/BRO Vector

HOW HAVE PARISHES SERVED THE FAITHFUL DURING THE PANDEMIC? FAITH ASKED PARISH PRIESTS AND STAFF FAITH Catholic conducted a survey of parishes around the country from April 23 to May 7, asking how they have responded to the pandemic crisis. Forty percent of respondents were priests or deacons, and the rest

• Livestream/video of Mass and other events: 78%

identified as a Director of Religious

• Video conferencing: 72%

Education, RCIA director or “other

• Phone calls/phone trees: 43%

parish staff.”

• Social media: 30%

Here are just some of the results.

• Mobile apps/mass communication systems: 14%

Overwhelmingly, the biggest fear expressed was that people would not come back once the doors open again. 26

What tactics or tools are you using now to communicate that you have not used in the past?

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

• Email/e-newsletter to parishioners: 30%

What has been most effective in caring for parishioners? • Phone calls (mentioned in 47% of responses) • Livestream Masses and Rosary • Daily Mass livestreamed as well as Sunday • Facebook Live/Zoom conferencing • Electronic newsletter/emails that are honest and convey feeling • Drive-thru confessions and blessings

What have been the biggest challenges in caring for parishioners? Thinking about a post-pandemic Church, what is your biggest concern?

CO M M U N I C AT I N G E FFEC T I V E LY

“No feedback from emails” “Not knowing how people are doing”

Will people come back? • Not attending Mass will become habit

L AC K O F PE RS O N AL CO N TAC T

• Decrease in attendance • Losing marginal Catholics • What will it look like? Who will return? How will we worship? • What is “new normal”? • Diminished fidelity to Mass/ confession; diminished collections

Getty Images/kreicher

• Parishioners are living in fear

Financial stability • Inability to have planned fundraisers

That coronavirus will

together but keep them socially distant • People will be reluctant to gather in groups • How to limit the number of people at Mass

Helping people process

what they have gone through

Tom Gennara

cause another shutdown

How to bring people

T EC H I S S U E S FO R PARI S HI O N E R S

“Elderly parishioners without email/social media” “Some in community do not have Internet access”

of parish

• Seeing people back at Mass and not knowing who might be sick/infectious

“No face-to-face contact, handshakes, hugs” “Not enough time to write to families more than once” “Not being together, in community” “Saying Mass without a congregation”

BE I N G PRE S E N T TO T HE S I C K AN D DY I N G

“Not being able to visit local hospitals” “Not being able to visit nursing homes” M I S S I N G T H E SAC RAM E N T S

“Funerals and weddings and sick calls” “Frustration of not being able to meet people’s needs” ECO N O M I C I M PAC T

“Major local employer furloughed its workforce” “Uncertainty for parishioners”

Catching up on sacraments 27

CATHOLICS CONNECT

Catholics staying During this unprecedented crisis, Catholics have found creative ways to stay connected with God, the Church, and each other. Whether it was learning to livestream Mass, or figuring out new ways to teach the faith remotely, members of the Church have met the challenge.

Catholics have been charitable. Catholics have been generous. Catholics have said “thank you” to those who are reaching out to them during this crisis. Catholics have continued to connect with one another in the midst of adversity. Here are just a few examples of how the Church has continued to shine the light of Christ in these dark times.

The Joyful Noise Children's Choir of St. Simon Parish in San Jose, Calif., shared a virtual performance on

San Jose, California

Easter Sunday of "Join in the Dance.”

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Kirkland, Washington Holy Family Parish in Kirkland, Wash., encouraged parishioners to create prayer tables at home and share photos on social media.

Tulsa, Oklahoma With the pandemic came a host of additional problems for many people, especially those who have been hit hard by the economic crisis and unemployment. Catholic Charities agencies across the country continue to assist those most in need. In Tulsa, volunteer Brent Partee helps gather food for 300-400 families a day, about five times what they did before the pandemic. (Courtesy Eastern Oklahoma Catholic)

Sacramento, California Volunteers from the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Sacramento, Calif., provide brown bag lunches to the homeless four days a week. As the number of guests has grown in recent weeks, they have been blessed by the generosity of parish members, local support and free delivery by Paratransit, a fully accessible transportation service.

Laredo, Texas Since the Senior Center in Laredo, Texas, closed for the pandemic, the staff of Catholic Charities has been delivering meals and groceries to the elderly. Bishop James Tamayo visits and prays with them.

connectedd

Falmouth, Maine Portland, Maine

Bishop Deely in the Diocese of Portland, Me., granted permission for pastors to hold Masses in parking lots with clear conditions for maintaining social distancing.

Holy Eucharist Parish in Falmouth, Me., made 1,000 fabric masks for area hospitals, jails and shelters — and continue to make more.

The Newman Club at Montclair State University in the Diocese of Newark produces the talk show “Quarantined Catholics,” which airs on Facebook Live to keep connected with college students sheltering at home.

Newark, New Jersey

Flushing, Michigan

Getty Images/Robin Zeigler

The parishioners of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in Flushing, Mich., organized a parade to say “thank you” to their priests for all they have done for them during the pandemic.

Parnell, Michigan Third-graders at St. Patrick School in Parnell, in the Diocese of Grand Rapids, used household items to make crosses that serve as a reminder of God’s presence even in the midst of a pandemic.

Chatham, Illinois In Chatham, Ill., St. Joseph the Worker Parish donated its entire Easter collection to three food banks and a ministry to the homeless in their community.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Nashville, Tennessee In Nashville, Tenn., Catholic Charities’ annual Pathways to Possibilities fundraiser met its goal despite having to convert its in-person event to a virtual one. By May 6, more than $100,000 had been received, and donations continued to come in. The funds will be used to help communities in the Diocese of Nashville hit March 3 by a deadly tornado.

Preschool teachers at St. Andrew Early Childhood Center in Raleigh, N.C., organized a parade so children could tell teachers goodbye when the school year ended abruptly. Almost all of the 120 children participated.

LOCAL NEWS

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SEEK DONATIONS FOR SEMINARIAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND As part of the Knights of Columbus’ continuing mission to support priestly vocations, the Michigan State Council pledged to raise $1,000,000 in order to create an Endowed Scholarship Fund (E.S.F.) at Sacred Heart Seminary in Detroit. The fund is designed to help support seminarians while they are studying for the priesthood. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Knights are struggling to meet this challenge, and so they are expanding their appeal to the entire Catholic population of Michigan. If you are in a financial position to assist the Knights as they help build the foundation for the future of the Church, please contact John Rademacher, j.rademacher@mikofc. org for more information or donate directly by mail: Michigan State Knights of Columbus Charities Inc. Memo line: E.S.F. to MI K of C/E.S.F, POB 58, Eagle, Mich. 48822.

Tom Gennara

LANSING CATHOLIC STUDENTS HOST MOBILE PANTRY IN APRIL

Bishop Raica of Gaylord appointed Bishop of Birmingham, Alabama Most Reverend Steven J. Raica, Bishop of Gaylord, was named the fifth bishop of Birmingham, Ala., by Pope Francis on March 25, to succeed retiring Bishop Robert J. Baker. Bishop Raica will be welcomed to the Diocese of Birmingham with solemn vespers on June 22. The Mass of Installation will take place at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Birmingham on June 23. “I’ve never been to Alabama, so I have no idea what to expect,” Bishop Raica said in a recorded audio interview with Father Scott Lawler on March 30. “The people and bishop I have spoken with have been very kind.” The Diocese of Birmingham has approximately 3 million people, with 105,000 Catholics in 55 parishes. Bishop Raica was ordained a priest in the Diocese of Lansing in 1978. He served in several parishes as an associate pastor and pastor. From 1999-2005, he served as the superior of the post-graduate residence for priests at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, and in 2005 became the chancellor and vicar general of the Diocese of Lansing. He was named Bishop of Gaylord by Pope Francis in 2014. 30

FAITH Magazine | JUNE 2020 | WWW.FAITHMAG.COM

Students from Lansing Catholic High School hosted the City of Lansing’s Mobile Food Pantry April 18 despite the challenges presented by the spread of COVID-19 in the area. “I have been humbled but not surprised by the degree to which our teachers, our parents and, especially, our students have insisted on carrying out acts of Christian service during this COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tom Maloney, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Lansing.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE

Sister Mary Estelle Printz, age 92, religious 71 years, entered eternal life on April 12, 2020. In the Diocese of Lansing, she taught at Lumen Christi High School in Jackson.

Father Paul Cummings, senior priest of the Diocese of Lansing, died on May 4, 2020 at the age of 94. Ordained in 1955 in the Diocese of Lansing, he served as parochial vicar at St. Roberts, Flushing; St. Therese, Lansing; St. Mary, Mount Morris; and St. John, Davison. He served as pastor at St. Isidore, Laingsburg; Holy Family, Ovid; Immaculate Heart of Mary, Lansing; St. Peter, Eaton Rapids; and Holy Spirit, Brighton. Father Paul continued to serve area parishes by presiding at liturgies after his retirement in 1996. A memorial Mass was celebrated on May 8 at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Jackson.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE Sister Celine Marie Lesinski, CSSF, age 92, religious 71 years, entered eternal life on April 12, 2020, She taught in the Diocese of Lansing at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Flint.

STEWARDSHIP

Why I support my parish FAITH asked some parishioners why supporting their parish is important to them, and why they have chosen to make it a priority in their lives.

It’s a priority for us because we have been blessed and want to give back to others. The Catholic Church was very impactful in all stages of my life — from being a young altar server through my time in college at the campus Newman Center. I was unable to give much financial support then, but I can now, and I want to show my gratitude to God for all that the Church has given me. I also want to make sure this support system remains in

During the Covid-19 crisis, it was important to me to continue supporting my parish. Liturgical, educational, faith formation and charitable outreach actions are supported by donations and so vital to the mission of the Church. Prayer is paramount, but financial generosity will enable the church doors to open wide once again.

Both in and out of church, I see the parish as a vehicle to serve others. I serve in two ways: as a eucharistic minister at Mass and leading a monthly Communion service at an assisted living center. I feel honored and fulfilled — although unworthy — when I can offer Jesus to people through his body and blood.” – PAUL WARD

place for younger Catholics.” – CHRIS ONGENA

Supporting our parish will ensure that it is viable for the next generation. In this day of online payments, it’s critical that we discuss our donations with our children since they may not see us dropping an envelope in the basket at Mass. I want them to understand that it is important to us, and I pray that one day it will be important to them too.” – KAREN ONGENA

When we contribute financially to our parish, we facilitate Christ’s mission of love and mercy.” – CATHY PIETRASIUK

The day-to-day commitment of the parish community has kept me as a member for all these years, and continues to strengthen my faith. These strengths and commitment include the skill of our pastors, the depth and diversity of the music ministry, and the commitment of the social ministry team to serve those in need.” – BRIAN O’NEIL 31

Membership Magazine of the Catholic Diocese of Lansing 1500 E. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48906 Want to receive FAITH Magazine? Visit FAITHMAG.COM Follow FAITHMAG The Way to Happiness Is Jesus Find out more at DIOCESEOFLANSING.ORG Find a Catholic Church at MASSTIMES.ORG Serving Ann Arbor, Flint, Jackson, Lansing And Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Shiawassee and Washtenaw counties

June 2020

Articles inside

How have parishes served the faithful during the pandemic?

welcomed into the Church

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