Coronavirus
Ministry in the Midst of Pandemic
Father Thomas P. Gaunt, Jonathon L. Wiggins Comments Off on Ministry in the Midst of Pandemic
After the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) surveyed all of the bishops leading a diocese, as well as a random sample of priests across the country, asking them how dioceses and parishes were responding to the pastoral, educational and social Read More
Moving Beyond Fear
Father Ronald Patrick Raab Comments Off on Moving Beyond Fear
I often live with a sense of scarcity. I wonder if my heart, like our Church, will unlock the shutters after the pandemic. I panic at the thought of half-empty churches. I question my flimsy insights and stamina to move our congregation beyond fear. I question leadership and integrity, especially my own. Age, pandemic and Read More
Normalcy: A Year Later
Father Kenneth W. Schmidt Comments Off on Normalcy: A Year Later
“I can’t wait for things to get back to normal.” That’s what I’ve said to myself. But what does that mean? What do I think that’s going to be like? A year has passed and we’re still not there. I still look forward to the day when things like physical distancing, face masks and sheltering Read More
Facing the Challenge of a Power Outage
Bishop-elect David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Facing the Challenge of a Power Outage
When I arrived at my new parish in July of this year, we put a plan together for having Mass during the pandemic. While we have been able to conduct holy Mass indoors during the week, we decided to have Mass outdoors on Sundays except for one virtual Mass. The rationale behind this decision was Read More
Self-Care through the Holidays
Father David Songy Comments Off on Self-Care through the Holidays
While every year my heart begins to anticipate Christmas long before December, remembering colorful lights, delicious treats and singing carols with family and friends, I must remind myself that Christmas is also my most stressful time of year, especially as a priest. Though Holy Week is more liturgically challenging, Christmas carries with it personal memories Read More
In Dark Times, the Light of Faith Shines
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on In Dark Times, the Light of Faith Shines
Storms can be scary, especially for children. The crushing sound of thunder coupled with the streaking darts of lightning can engender fear, challenging parents to find a way to calm emotions during the storm. One of the ways my dear mother calmed us children amid frightening storms was to light a candle. In the most Read More
Celebrating Parish Traditions during COVID-19
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Celebrating Parish Traditions during COVID-19
When I first arrived at my previous assignment 11 years ago, I remember the principal saying, “Father, there is a word you will hear a lot around here. The word is tradition.” Indeed, like any family, a faith community is woven together by various traditions like festivals and events. They are more than just traditions, Read More
Behind Every Number, There Is a Name, a Face and a Life
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Behind Every Number, There Is a Name, a Face and a Life
It happens every day at roughly the same time. There is an alert that comes over my iPhone informing me about the latest confirmed cases of COVID-19 for that day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as the number of deaths. Shortly thereafter, there is yet another alert detailing how many positive cases, along Read More