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Faith in a time of Pandemic
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March 2020 certainly lived by the old adage and “roared in like a lion.” What followed only amplified as the faithful grappled with all the challenges of the pandemic, which impacted all aspects of daily life from how we get groceries to how we do our jobs. And of course included on that list is how we practiced our faith. We’ve highlighted just a few of the many ways Bishop Bradley, diocesan staff, priests, deacons, parish staffs and Catholic Charities continued the work of the Church:
PRAYER
On March 18, 2020, Bishop Bradley made the announcement suspending the public celebration of the Mass, for the first time ever in the history of the diocese and most people’s lifetimes. However, Bishop Bradley, the diocesan staff and parishes quickly went online and began virtual offerings.
• Day of Prayer and Penance (April 3, 2020)
• Divine Mercy Chaplet (April 17)
• Renewal of the Consecration to Mary (May 1)
• May Crowning (May 7)
• Praying the Rosary with the Seminarians (May 11, May 14)
EMBRACING SOCIAL MEDIA
If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Church took to the internet airwaves and exponentially increased its use of social media to connect with the faithful.
TENDING THE FLOCK
Bishop Bradley and priests across the diocese began live stream and video updates to connect with the faithful. One example includes Father Paul Redmond, shown above, who continues to offer daily updates on the parish’s Facebook page. To connect with one another parishes are also using virtual technology for things such as praying the rosary and conducting virtual meetings with parishioners.
LIVE FROM YOUR PARISH ... IT’S THE HOLY MASS!
Plans were made, resources found and equipment purchased in parishes around the diocese almost immediately to begin live streaming daily prayers and Mass. More than 30 parishes around the diocese offered daily and weekend live stream Masses.
LET JESUS’ LIGHT SHINE Campaign:
The Diocese of Kalamazoo launched the “Let Jesus’ Light Shine” campaign inviting all Christians to turn their lights on for the Easter season to bear hope and witness to the Risen Lord and the Light of the World.
FAITH ONLINE
SUNDAY EXPERIENCE
Diocesan staff in the Secretariat for Parish Life & Lay Leadership got to work quickly on creating resource pages called “Sunday Experience” on our diocesan website. Resources included prayers, ideas for celebrating Mass at home and more. In addition, the Parish Life team ran two virtual Facebook retreats, one right before and one during Holy Week. And back by popular demand, those online weekly studies are continuing (visit www.diokzoo.org/sundayexperience for more information).
SISTERS’ MOTHER’S DAY CELEBRATION
The Missionary Sisters Servants of the Divine Spirit, hosted an online Mother’s Day celebration for all Spanish speaking Mothers. The celebration was filled with music, singing, encouragement, and of course, much celebrating. This virtual celebration tops the chart, reaching nearly 8,000 people.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FORWARD IN FAITH: PARISH SUPPORT FUND
The diocese immediately recognized the need to provide a simple way for parishioners to give to their parishes, even if their parish wasn’t already set up for online giving. The Forward in Faith: Parish Support Fund was developed quickly and made available to every parish in the diocese. Any donations made went entirely to the selected parish; the diocese covered all processing fees. At press time close to $35,000 had been contributed and disbursed to more than 30 parishes.
BISHOP’S ANNUAL APPEAL DELAYED
The diocese determined it would be best to delay the Bishop’s Annual Appeal while we focused on providing support to our parishes and those in need in our communities. (see page 14 for an update on the relaunch plan).
A SHEPHERD’S GUIDANCE
FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: HOPE FOR A NEW PENTECOST
Bishop Bradley wrote a heartfelt and beautiful letter to the faithful titled, From Darkness to Light: Hope for a New Pentecost. This letter was written to provide hope and encouragement — as the faithful continued their arduous and heart-wrenching journey apart from the Holy Mass and Eucharist.
SEEKING GOD’S GRACE TO HELP US COMBAT THE SIN OF RACISM: A PASTORAL REFLECTION
Bishop Bradley offered a pastoral reflection in response to the many acts of racism that plague our country. In his letter he encourages us in:
1. Prayer — to pray for the end of racism and for peaceful resolutions,
2. Dialogue — to engage in true civilized and respectful dialogue and
3. Active Participation — to actively participate in building up the Kingdom of God.
LOVE THY NEIGHBOR
CCDOK’S EMERGENCY FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
To aid those in need, Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo (CCDOK) established emergency food distribution centers throughout the diocese. Hackett Catholic Prep served as the central site (which has now relocated).
Regional Locations were set up at:
• Northern Regional: Allegan County United Way in Allegan and St. Peter Catholic Church in Douglas
• Eastern Regional: St. Phillip Catholic Church in Battle Creek
• Southern Regional: St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Coldwater
• Southwest Regional: St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph
If you are in need, call 269.910.3578 (Please leave a message if there is no answer). To volunteer, email [email protected] to learn more.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
MEETING THE NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS REMOTELY
Our teachers and principals jumped on board immediately, coming up with creative solutions to meet all the needs of our students even when connecting in a classroom was no longer an option.
SPIRITUAL NEEDS
• Organized parking lot prayer services
• Live streamed Q&As with pastors
• Live streamed rosaries and other prayers
EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
• Delivered books, tablets and other supplies to students regularly
• Maintained curriculum expectations
• Held virtual meetings with parents to get feedback and assist in at-home learning
• Set one-on-one virtual sessions with students to go over difficult concepts
COMMUNITY NEEDS
• Set up virtual playgroups and other socialization opportunities to aid students’ social and emotional well being
• Made masks for essential workers
• Packed food supplies to deliver to families
PARISHES ADAPT TO SERVE
36 offered live stream Mass
11 offered drive-through Confession
8 are offering outdoor Mass
3 continued to safely host blood drives
Many offered online prayer, catechesis, and regular prayer reflections
