Parishes respond to needs of faithful during pandemic

For nearly three months this year, parishes in the diocese shuttered their churches and suspended meetings, events and gatherings to keep the faithful safe during the coronavirus pandemic. However, because of the determination and ingenuity of clergy, staff and volunteers, members of these spiritual homes have been skillfully navigating the turbulent waters of this isolation in order to maintain, even strengthen, the bonds of the community and tenets of faith.

Looking at the ways some parishes are ensuring their parishioners might experience evangelization and catechesis proves the strength is in the message and its spirit-filled messengers.

  

Familiar Faces

The community of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Three Bridges, has employed numerous methods to assure its people might enrich and deepen their faith this spring, said Father Thomas J. Serafin, pastor.

“In addition to a subscription to [the Catholic book and video outlet] ‘Formed’ we gave everyone before the pandemic, we have a robust adult faith formation team headed by Diane Luceri, which now offers morning and afternoon classes via Zoom,” Father Serafin noted. “We televise the Mass, and the parishioners say ‘it’s nice to see our home, familiar faces and sanctuary and ministers.’

“We also keep everyone in touch with the church via e-mail blasts.”

As for children’s offerings, he continued. “In the past, I used the Gold Book [of Catholic Prayers] to teach the children the parts of the Mass, and now I have made my own videos for them to watch. We have a children’s liturgy on the weekends where I read the Gospel and give them a reflection. Religion teachers use it and dismiss the kids like when they are at Mass.

“People are hurting with the lack of the Blessed Sacrament and community,” he added, but noted that the recent Communion services at his parish left his congregation “emotional, reverent and appreciative. The people are kind and generous to [the priests]: they realize there’s not much else we can do.”

 

‘Sacramental People’

Though he jokingly compared the slow emergence from pandemic shutdown conditions as “having gone from the 19th century into the 21st,” Father Thomas J. Walsh and the members of St. Bartholomew Parish are adapting well to the new realities of worship.

“There are blessings in our midst,” said Father Walsh, pastor of the East Brunswick parish. “This has kept us together at a time we need to be praying. We are going back to what is essential and we appreciate things more.”

A parish subscription to the “Word on Fire” video series by Auxiliary Bishop Robert Barron of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is prompting feedback that bridges physical isolation, he noted. In a letter to his congregation, Father Walsh explained, “We did this in order to remain engaged with our faith and with all of you during this unusual time in our parish… Thanks to Flocknote, our parish’s e-mail and texting tool, we can now send you videos. We encourage you to participate in our parish discussions as together we draw deeper into the faith.”

 And that invitation is being answered, he said. “Parishioners are leaving questions for me, people are talking, they are engaged,” Father Walsh reported.

The use of cameras installed for livestreamed Masses have been so successful, the pastor noted, that they have sparked future plans to evangelize using them.

“We will change the planned renovation of the sanctuary to include cameras,” Father Walsh said, “and I have plans to start a book club online this summer called ‘Take and Read.’ We can read together and discuss a book. Also, I usually run a summer series on the Bible, for I miss teaching. Now we can use our cameras for this as well.”

The cautious steps toward reopening of the parish for Masses, and the ongoing Communion services, are answering a deep need in the hearts of his parishioners, Father Walsh added. “We are a sacramental people. It is so important to be fed.”

Priest, Prophet and King

“God’s love for you is not cancelled,” stated Father Hank Hilton, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Hillsborough, in March when public Masses were indefinitely suspended in the diocese. Indeed, the faith community is busier than ever, carrying out myriad prayer and service projects for both members and community alike, and its spiritual leader can be relied upon to find a bright light in the jumble of messages and challenges that is life during the coronavirus.

“The pandemic, despite its disastrous nature, presents us with once-in-a-lifetime learning opportunities. It gives chances to learn about prayer, about service and about building our community,” Father Hilton said. “It gives us unique opportunities to learn about the best ways to express God’s love in a frightened world… We are learning things that will help us live our mission even more effectively when the mess is over.”

Urging its members to fulfill their baptismal challenge to become priests, prophets and kings, St. Joseph Parish offers numerous opportunities to pray, serve and build community.

In addition to its Sunday and daily livestream Masses, the parish offers the faithful the option to pray the rosary along with fellow penitents or attend a “Fireside Psalms with Father Hank” session. Outdoor prayer opportunities include the stations of the cross, strolling a prayer path or access to view the tabernacle to adore the Blessed Sacrament.

Children can enjoy the “St. Joe’s Story Hour,” consisting of about two dozen videos where friendly voices reach out to the youngest parishioners with appropriate tales, or participate in the “New Friends Project” by writing missives to area senior citizens.

Those wishing to donate to the Hillsborough food banks may either drop off supplies at the church or arrange for contactless collection at their own homes. A mask-making ministry, groups of volunteers to make wellness calls to the homebound, and special groups to aid seniors or those with special needs are also among the parish’s diverse outreach projects.

“We are learning much about praying together, about reaching out to the neediest among us, and about taking care of each other,” Father Hilton said. “All of it helps us answer Jesus’ call in ways that multiply love now and will instruct us later.”