It is indeed a challenge for all of us to get used to the "new normal" that has evolved since the outbreak of the Coronavirus here in our country. It has affected almost every area of our lives, including our "faith lives." Something that many have taken for granted, like going to and participating in Mass was taken away from us (though we could at least participate in Mass via social media).
I certainly applaud those who have told me that they have been "watching" Mass or in some cases Masses on television or through the internet. I think it is important to quote our bishop, Anthony Taylor, who gave the green light for us to offer Mass in person for the first time in little under two months. In the multi page "restrictions and options for worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he says the Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended indefinitely for all people in our diocese. He then goes on to say a few lines later that ",,,all people remain obligated to keep holy the Lord's Day which they can do in any of a large variety of ways including the following: 1) Sunday participation in Mass live-streamed or on TV-ACTIVE PARTICIPATION and not just viewing; 2) attending weekday Mass in lieu of Sunday, when Sunday Mass is not available; (fortunately with the help of some of our liturgical ministers and dear ladies who have provided homemade masks, and volunteers who are dedicated to keeping our church sanitized) we have begun offering weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Church AND on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Church; and 3) private prayer in one's home for at least an hour using whatever forms of prayer that are comfortable for the person to do. With all these possibilities, the bishop is making it clear that we are NOT to take a long break from our relationship to the Lord and His Church by doing nothing in this time of "social distancing" for ours and the common good, but rather to recognize that in the face of so much disruption, we need the Lord to be the stable factor in our lives in worship and in private prayer!
The Knights of Columbus, a few years ago, started an initiative entitled "Building the Domestic Church." It encouraged families to find some new and consistent ways to make their homes a place of prayer and formation in the faith (which is actually nothing really new). I pray that one of the blessings of this pandemic will be a stronger and more diverse faith lives among true believers that includes, but goes beyond the weekend "routine" of coming to Mass (though the importance of that "routine" is not to be underestimated and I hope has been sorely missed by all people). We truly need the Lord in Community, Word AND Sacrament in our journey to the Communion of saints in heaven. The "new normal" may not be a bad thing at all, when it includes the Lord and his ways in our daily lives!
I certainly applaud those who have told me that they have been "watching" Mass or in some cases Masses on television or through the internet. I think it is important to quote our bishop, Anthony Taylor, who gave the green light for us to offer Mass in person for the first time in little under two months. In the multi page "restrictions and options for worship amid the COVID-19 pandemic," he says the Sunday Mass obligation remains suspended indefinitely for all people in our diocese. He then goes on to say a few lines later that ",,,all people remain obligated to keep holy the Lord's Day which they can do in any of a large variety of ways including the following: 1) Sunday participation in Mass live-streamed or on TV-ACTIVE PARTICIPATION and not just viewing; 2) attending weekday Mass in lieu of Sunday, when Sunday Mass is not available; (fortunately with the help of some of our liturgical ministers and dear ladies who have provided homemade masks, and volunteers who are dedicated to keeping our church sanitized) we have begun offering weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Church AND on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Church; and 3) private prayer in one's home for at least an hour using whatever forms of prayer that are comfortable for the person to do. With all these possibilities, the bishop is making it clear that we are NOT to take a long break from our relationship to the Lord and His Church by doing nothing in this time of "social distancing" for ours and the common good, but rather to recognize that in the face of so much disruption, we need the Lord to be the stable factor in our lives in worship and in private prayer!
The Knights of Columbus, a few years ago, started an initiative entitled "Building the Domestic Church." It encouraged families to find some new and consistent ways to make their homes a place of prayer and formation in the faith (which is actually nothing really new). I pray that one of the blessings of this pandemic will be a stronger and more diverse faith lives among true believers that includes, but goes beyond the weekend "routine" of coming to Mass (though the importance of that "routine" is not to be underestimated and I hope has been sorely missed by all people). We truly need the Lord in Community, Word AND Sacrament in our journey to the Communion of saints in heaven. The "new normal" may not be a bad thing at all, when it includes the Lord and his ways in our daily lives!