Casey Lee

Prayers for the Dead

BY MARK MOITOZA, TH.D.

These recent months have found us consumed by news of the pandemic, navigating isolating experiences of absence, and confronting loss in unexpected ways. As the majority of people adapted to new protocols, the community continues to confront the challenge of mourning those who have died; either from the effects of the coronavirus or of other causes in the midst of this global tragedy. Stories of family and neighbors who have been left at the hospital doors, relying on healthcare professionals to accompany them, pierce our hearts. The inability to be present physically as loved ones were dying was compounded by delayed accompaniment, forcing the community of faith to pray from afar.

While all of us desire a return to some sense of routine, we must remember that many in our midst are also dealing with grief and loss. Viewing live-streamed Masses for multiple weeks emphasized our longing for presence with one another along with the desire for the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Each week the prayers of the faithful grew as more names of those who were sick and those who have died were recited. Our slow process of returning back to interactions must also emphasize the necessity of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy, especially those that relate to accompanying the dead and those who mourn them.

The website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) lists these particular works of mercy and suggests useful ways to accompany, both directly and from a distance. continued on page 44

FATHER ROBBIE DEKA, CATHOLIC PRIEST, INCENSES THE CASKET OF MASTER SGT. MATTHEW GONZALEZ DURING HIS FUNERAL AT MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D., 26 OCTOBER 2015. (U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO/SENIOR AIRMAN STEPHANIE MORRIS, 5TH BOMBER WING, 30 OCTOBER 2015)

Photo Credit from DVIDS – Minot AFB https://www.dvidshub.net/i-mage/2263960/minot-afb-honors-memory-master-sgt-matthew-gonzalez

Prayers for the Dead

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 43

The Spiritual Work of Mercy: Praying for the Living and the Dead

Request a Mass intention for a friend or family member who is going through a tough time. Request a Mass intention for a friend or family member who has passed away. Keep your own book of prayer intentions, writing down the names of those who you are keeping in your prayers. Ask a friend or family member if there is anything you can pray about for them. Through prayer, entrust your cares and concerns for those around you to God.

The Corporal Works of Mercy: Bury the Dead

Funerals give us the opportunity to grieve and show others support during difficult times. Through our prayers and actions during these times we show our respect for life, which is always a gift from God, and comfort those who mourn.

Send a card to someone who has recently lost a loved one. Visit the cemetery and pray for those you lost. Spend time planning your own Funeral Mass, read through the Order of Christian Funerals and find hope in the Resurrection.

Christ conquered death through dying on the cross and rising from the dead. While death is certainly a loss to grieve, there is also hope in the resurrection. Those in transient communities, such as the military, will encounter people who have experienced loss over the past few months. Accompaniment through prayer and presence, when that is feasible again, is vital. So many

online initiatives have supported individuals and families to adapt to new ways of living. As a community of faith, we are also called to adapt to those mourning loved ones who have entered eternal life with the hope of light, joy, and peace in heaven.

The USCCB has posted a pdf resource regarding the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy During the COVID-19 Pandemic,

http://www.usccb.org/_cs_upload/about/communications/304736_1.pdf

Prayer of Commendation 1

Lord Jesus, our Redeemer, you willingly gave yourself up to death so that all people might be saved and pass from death to new life. Listen to our prayers, look with love on your people who mourn and pray for their brother/sister N.

Lord Jesus, holy and compassionate: forgive N. his/her sins. By dying you opened the gates of life for those who believe in you: do not let our brother/sister be parted from you, but by your glorious power give him/her light, joy, and peace in heaven where you live for ever and ever.

Amen. V

1 Pastoral Care of the Sick: Rites of Anointing and Viaticum, No. 231, 1983.

Can’t Stop the Holy Spirit CONTINUED FROM PAGE 23

on the sidewalk for a socially The day was extraordinary distanced group photo, the rehearsal also because it was the first was crucial for successfully following Sunday to have Mass with the COVID-19 guidelines. participation of faithful after the continue meeting guidelines. their family would sit. long lockdown period. One family, recognizing the importance of receiving Holy Communion, did not let respiratory issues prevent their son from receiving the sacrament for the first time. They felt safe with the confidence of the Base CO, the AMS, Father Gerry Kasule, the First Communion catechists, and ARCHBISHOP TIMOTHY P. BROGLIO (REAR, CENTER LEFT) AND FATHER GERRY KASULE (REAR, CENTER RIGHT) volunteer leaders to move forward. Even grandparents WITH THE NEW CONFIRMED, MCB QUANTICO 2020. were in attendance as well as In addition to people walking individuals. Face masks, hand at least 6 feet apart, the seating sanitizer, social distancing made was altered in such a way to everyone feel safe. Single pews were reserved for each On Pentecost Sunday, 31 May family. Additionally, every other 2020, the Chapel was privileged pew was not to be used to provide to celebrate the sacrament adequate spacing within the of confirmation. Some Chapel. For the First Communion families were concerned about students, 15 in total, their banners COVID-19. Families were reassured helped mark the pew in which that there was no problem if they some medically challenged

preferred to postpone reception of the sacrament, because of concerns related to the pandemic. They were acquainted with the opportunities to celebrate confirmation off base or next year without repeating the sacramental preparation.

After some back and forth with the families, ultimately the day arrived with no glitches or hiccups. The day was filled with the Holy Spirit. All the same precautions were maintained as with the First Communion group. The rehearsal, as with the First Communion group, was critical to the success.

Families thanked Father Kasule for his leadership and Archbishop Broglio for continuing to shepherd the flock of the Archdiocese for the Military Services during the 2020 pandemic. A great thank you goes out to the First Communion and Confirmation catechists for their outstanding service during these unusual times. V

Save the Dates

All events are subject to change based on governmental mandates.

Young Adult Ministry (YAM) Symposium

6 – 9 August 2020

Saint John Paul II National Shrine Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Labor Day Gathering for Co-Sponsored Seminarians

4 – 6 September 2020

Washington, D.C.

26 th Annual Memorial Mass and Mass for Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM, Servant of God Combined this Year

6 September 2020, 12 Noon

Great Upper Church, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 400 Michigan Avenue N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017