Members of diocese find paths from home to practice faith

On April 2, 20 people gathered for prayer, praise and discussion. Thanks to the Internet, none of the participants were in danger of contracting the coronavirus, which has kept large groups of people from worshiping at Mass and participation in other faith-based activities because of a ban declared by Gov. Phil Murphy.

The 90-minute online meeting, coordinated by Darrin Nelson, owner and lead consultant of “A Vibrant Parish Life.com,” was held on Zoom platform. The technology has helped Nelson continue working with ministry leaders at St. Mary-Stony Hill Parish, Watchung; Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville; and Mary, Mother of God Parish, Hillsborough.

Prior to the April 2 gathering, each participant received a prayer/discussion booklet that included two Scripture readings, personal reflection questions and a page to take notes during the small group discussion, which he led.

During the meeting, participants also listened to Gregorian Chant and two praise and worship songs; viewed a live feed of the Blessed Sacrament; and shared their experience with discussion questions or personal witness.

After the meeting, Erin Noonan, a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish, Martinsville, said, “In these uncertain times, I find myself feeling disconnected from everyone and miss Mass and personal interaction. I am able to watch daily and Sunday Mass on the computer but miss the interactions. Darrin was able to provide a spiritual evening and also allow for personal interaction.”

In a March 30 online gathering, Nelson showed a short film from Formed.org and led the group in a discussion. He also led another meeting the following week and two during Easter Week.

“My desire is to continue the mission of Christ and provide a platform for people to look more toward Christ then toward their fear and anxiety,” he said. “I have found that people have a great hunger and desire to be together and share their faith especially during this unprecedented time.”

Others in the diocese have found ways to practice their faith outside of church walls.

Zofia Ebert, a member of St. Bartholomew Parish, East Brunswick, said, “Being able to livestream Mass from St. Bart’s is a great comfort.

“We all love Father James [E. DeFillipps, parochial vicar], and Father Tom [J. Walsh, pastor] has been such a stable and comforting voice for so many people for a long time. With all the daily changes we see in the news feeds and government updates it is our one constant: Father Tom’s voice and soothing words help us to navigate through these troubled waters.”

Tom and Bernadette Olsen, members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown, said they watched [Sunday] Masses on EWTN, CFN, and WPIX.

“And there is still the option of streaming from the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi [Metuchen] and other sites,” Bernadette said. “One Sunday, we even watched a Mass presided by Pope Francis from a chapel in the Vatican. On Palm Sunday and Holy Thursday, we enjoyed the services from St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.”

The Olsens also participated in a Rosary Novena for the coronavirus crisis from Lourdes, France. On Good Friday, they watched a special Stations of the Cross from Saginaw, Mich., and Passion Services from St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Daily Scripture reading was available through their subscription to “Magnificat.” “We are amazed by the amount of options to connect with our faith through television and streaming on the internet,” Bernadette said. “A concern is the limited resources for our Catholics who do not have access to cable television or internet. That is why it is important for the Church to keep a Sunday presence on WPIX or other over-the-air television network since these channels can still be viewed without cable or internet access.”

Like many parents, Stephen and Tammy Sullivan, also members of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Milltown, have the added challenge of keeping their children connected to their faith.

“We have used YouTube to watch Masses and participate in stations of the cross,” Stephen said. “In particular, we have enjoyed Mass from St. Patrick’s

 Cathedral in New York City, and Sts. Mary Margaret and Patrick Parish in Terre Haute, Indiana. There, the pastor, Father Dan Bedel, reminded his watchers that Mass should still be participatory. During one Mass, he 

offered this suggestion — gather items that would be used during Mass or available in church. Light a candle or set a cross next to the television. Read the Missal [or one of the old Gather books] during the readings. In this way, we remind ourselves that Mass is more than a television show and central to our special covenant and relationship with God.”

The Sullivans also took time to talk about their faith with their children and provide some context on how and why it can provide strength, especially when challenges seem so great.

“For example, we discussed that Catholics have persevered in their faith even when prevented from attending Mass or when such attendance threatened their very freedom and lives,” Stephen said. “I showed them a picture of Cnoc Na Toinne Mass Path in County Kerry, Ireland, and discussed that during the Penal Laws, Catholics in Ireland were greatly restricted in celebrating and attending Mass. Unregistered priests and those harboring them faced great dangers, including death. Despite such risks, the faithful would attend secret Masses away from local authorities.

“Paths, including Cnoc Na Toinne, are history of their great strength — and ours — in the face of tremendous obstacles. Thus, the path, even as rough and windy as it may be, may guide and inspire us through our current challenges.”

Marie Draghi, parish catechetical leader (PCL) at St. Jude Parish, Blairstown, was heartened to see the immediate response from the publishers in the quantity and numerous options for online catechetical material. By the end of the first week of March, all the publishers approved by the diocese had online resources free of additional charge.

“Also, in addition to the online curriculum complete with directions for home schooling, there were stations of the cross, rosary, Bible study, daily and weekly Lenten activities and support — on and on,” she said. “It warmed my heart that there were so many options to share with our families and I felt like a load had been lifted from our shoulders.”

Draghi also cited the support from Carol Mascola, director, diocesan Office of Discipleship Formation for Children, and Katie Battle, administrative assistant, diocesan Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, for providing almost daily updates and suggestions from fellow PCLs, catechists and well-meaning parishioners to finding “hidden gems and sharing with all.”

“For the first time in 12 years, we will not see our families on a regular basis, so having those resources and the support of the diocese is a comfort and most importantly an ongoing connection that God hasn't forgotten them and neither have we,” Draghi said.

Draghi and her husband, Tom, also watch livestreamed daily and Sunday Mass through their parish’s website and Twitch. In addition, Twitch has archived the Masses so Father Jim’s homilies can be used for home school discussion and review.

“As devout Catholics, Tom and I rely on our faith in all aspects of daily life,” she said. “With the unfolding events, now is time to walk the walk. I’ve listened to daily 8 a.m. Mass via EWTN for 25 years, but never had to substitute it for a Sunday Mass.

“The first Sunday, we had to sit on our sofa and watch Mass and that was when the gravity of the new normal really hit home.”