Coronavirus
That We Might All Be One
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on That We Might All Be One
One of the gifts that I cherish more and more as a priest is the pledge of prayers for me by others. Leadership can be lonely. Ministry can be so rigorous. It is heartening to know that people are praying for me. I take comfort when someone says, “Father, we are praying for you.” It Read More
Scaffolding and Masks: Restoring Our World
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on Scaffolding and Masks: Restoring Our World
For the past 11 years, I have been stationed at a parish whose church building has been in major restoration. Needless to say, during this time, we have had to look at scaffolding both inside and outside of the church. As unsightly and inconvenient as the scaffolding has been, I have found the sight to Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Reopening of Masses Is Welcome but Presents Challenges
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Reopening of Masses Is Welcome but Presents Challenges
Openings are meant to be a celebratory time. Whether a private business, a store, a stadium or even a church, it provides a time to ritualize with joy and gratitude. Reopenings can be just as exciting and joyful. During this past weekend, I met with my clergy team and two staff members to address the Read More
Finding Positives In a Crisis
Father Michael White Comments Off on Finding Positives In a Crisis
Sudden crises have a way of accelerating disruptive trends. The changes we have been putting off for so long tend to become obvious when we are faced with an overwhelming, existential threat. This moment in time is no different. The fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has forced parishes and other Church institutions to embrace many Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Moving Forward with Ministry
Father David J. Bonnar 1
These past two months have brought many of our lives to a grinding halt like a moving train suddenly stopped on the tracks. Due to the stay-at-home orders, school and church buildings are closed, businesses are shuttered, airport runways have become parking lots for aircraft and, if people are working, most of them are doing Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Refreshed after a Great Day Off
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Refreshed after a Great Day Off
The pandemic has fractured many of our common day rituals. These repeated actions, as mundane as they may appear, always have a way of keeping us ordered and even refreshed. We all could provide a laundry list of these routines, some of which may include attending daily Mass, checking the box score from last night’s Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: The Possibilities that Accompany Suffering
Father David J. Bonnar 1
In this time of the pandemic, I suppose we all have our coping mechanisms. These actions enable us to embrace this unprecedented time and deal with the changes and challenges of this moment. The hope is that the mechanisms we turn to are positive and productive. There are a long list of options that include Read More
COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Spreading the Message of Prudence and Obedience
Father David J. Bonnar Comments Off on COVID-19: A pastor’s perspective: Spreading the Message of Prudence and Obedience
Nearly one year ago, I made plans to be in Rome this week. The pilgrimage was yet another attempt to build a bridge between the two parishes in which I serve that will merge into one new parish in July 2020. There were people from both parishes, along with some staff, that signed up for Read More