Missionary Discipleship in a Time of Coronavirus
Also, seeking your comments on what you are doing that's innovative to cope and make disciples
These are interesting days. We Catholics need to rise above the anxiety and lead with the joy and the peace of Christ. These days require all missionary disciples and all future saints to spread the Gospel with clarity and certainty, using our God-given gifts to bless others with our words and actions. As inspiration, I share with you a recent essay I wrote here on what I refer to as the perfect vaccine to the Coronavirus.
In addition, to inspire others, I also want to hear from you.
I want you to submit your comments on how you, or your parish, or someone you know is being inspired by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel in innovative ways.
In the comments section at the bottom of this post, if you know of someone who is doing something well or creative, despite many of the constraints being thrust upon us by the Coronavirus, please share.
To get the ball rolling, below, you will find several examples of how missionary disciples are paving the way with their words and actions. More examples from you all in the comments section will help continue the groundswell of inspiration:
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Don Giuseppe Corbari, a priest from the small town of Robbiano di Giussano in Lombardy—a region devastated by the Coronavirus—made an unexpected appeal to his parishioners last week after his sadness at celebrating Sunday Mass without seeing their faces before him.
“Send me photographs of yourselves, of you and your family, the photo of your face. I need to see faces in front of me when I celebrate Mass next Sunday,” Don Giuseppe appealed. “I will print the photo you send me, and I will stick it with sellotape on the pew: it is a way to make me feel less alone.”
—From wantedinmilan.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Sunman, Indiana, held its first parking lot Mass. The priest, Fr. Shaun, offered Mass in a small trailer on the parish hill while the parishioners prayed in their cars.
According to their Facebook page, they had positive feedback!
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fr. Scott Holmer of St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church in Bowie, Md. is offering drive-thru confessions to his parishioners after the Archdiocese of Washington suspended all public Masses, effective March14.
Fr. Holmer issued a statement on his parish’s website explaining that “the Mass is the heart of our life together as Catholics.”
“It is certainly a source of sorrow that none of us are able to attend Mass together because of the health crisis threatening our nation and the world,” he said.
“I would ask you to unite your prayers with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that I will be offering in private by spending some time each day in personal prayer and by continuing to maintain your Lenten discipline of prayer, fasting, and works of mercy.”
The priest then announced that he will offer daily confessions during the time he normally celebrates Mass.
“Since I cannot guarantee your physical safety by opening up the Church or the office to visitors, I have set up a ‘drive-through confessional’ and will be hearing confessions in the Church parking lot to maintain a six-foot distance while penitents stay in their cars,” Fr. Holmer said.
Fr. Holmer added that Seminarian Joseph McHenry will direct traffic. The priest will also blindfold his face for those wishing to go “behind-the-screen.”
“This is turning out to be a Lent unlike any other,” Fr. Holmer said. “I believe the Lord is inviting us to an increased concern for the welfare of our neighbors and offering us the opportunity to make sacrifices for them. What a great Lenten penance for us all.”
— From Churchpop.com
+++++++++++++++++
A photo says 1,000 words:
++++++++++++++++++++
From the following site:
https://www.staceysumereau.com/be-not-afraid-conference
Last week, I hosted a birthday party for my two toddlers. As the kids frolicked outside in the beautiful sunshine, talk among the parents turned to coronavirus. It sounded other-wordly: Broadway shows closing, schools canceled, and nursing homes shutting off visitors. The next day, my speaking engagements for the rest of the month were canceled. A national state of emergency was declared. Grocery stores were out of butter, cheese, and toilet paper. What's going to happen? What's this elbow bump thing?
On Sunday, our church was half-empty, and people were spaced as far from each other as possible. The mood was cautious and fearful. I knew we were lucky even to be able to have Mass. Many friends on social media lamented not being able to receive the Eucharist, and heartbreaking stories from Italy were heavy on my heart. I asked the Holy Spirit, What more can I do?
And, as the Holy Spirit does, he dropped a crazy, insane, amazing idea into my head. An online conference for all those who are anxious, afraid, bored, spiritually starving, or isolated. An opportunity to turn isolation into a fruitful retreat. Building deeper trust in God instead of a Netflix binge. A chance to grow spiritually this Lent, even for those without Mass. Start now, the Holy Spirit said. Don't wait. Start this week. Within an hour, I had it planned out in my head.
After Mass, I asked John. and he said, "Do it, babe!" So I began to reach out to everyone I know. Within a few hours, a number of top speakers had committed to providing talks. More keep coming in hourly. Y'all, the Holy Spirit is doing something epic here.
The conference will launch on March 20. When you opt-in, you'll receive a daily email with an inspiring video or other inspirational content to your inbox.
Admission for the conference is either pay-as-you-wish or free. All speakers are giving their time and talent with no promise of monetary compensation, just giving out of the goodness of their hearts. I'd love to generously compensate them, but if you're not in a position to give, PLEASE still join. We want you here.
Are you ready? Join the Be Not Afraid Conference today. I can't wait to see you on the inside!
P.S. Since this is a spur-of-the-moment initiative, can I count on you to help spread the word? Forward this page to family and friends via email. Come find me on social media @staceysumereau and share my promotional posts on your account. Text people the link. Thank you in advance, friend, for being a channel of the Holy Spirit for those who need it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Please share comments below to inspire others in what you or your parish or diocese is doing. Imitation is the best form of flattery.
"Do not be afraid" is the most commonly used phrase in the bible; yet we still fear. In these days of high anxiety, your Christian faith is key in helping you cope with this unprecedented crisis. MAYSLAKE MINISTRIES is here to help you. We have 36 spiritual directors who are willing to offer you spiritual direction via phone, Skype or FaceTime. You can talk with a spiritual director from the safety of your own home. Call us today at 630-852-9000. Christ is with us, before us, behind us, and in us. We have nothing to fear. www.mayslakeministries.org