The Catholic Weekly 29 March 2020

catholicweekly.com.au 8 NEWS 29, March, 2020 IN THE wake of the world- wide spread of COVID-19 and the limitations it has placed on human movement and in- teraction, the ability of Catho- lics to gather in parishes, for Mass and community, has come under threat. It is especially in thesemost extraordinary of times, when “social distancing” and “lock down” have become common refrains, that the significance of community for human flourishing our spiritual life become unmistakeable. We all have a basic hu- man need for community. It is essential for every other good – for personal relation- ships, families, the care of our health and the vulnerable, for education in truth, formation in morality, and for the trans- mission of life itself. Many in today’s world al- ready crave community. From mothers of young children to seniors, from teenagers and families to new migrants, from people of faith to those who profess no belief at all, we all desire and seek out a sense of belonging and soli- darity with others. Even in a time when self-isolation, supermarket hoarding and incidents of “roll rage” are on the rise, we see also signs of communion and hope. We hear stories of young people shopping on behalf of the housebound elderly, we’ve seen footage of Ital- ians playing music, singing and applauding emergency workers from their apartment balconies, doctors and nurses selflessly tending to the sick at the risk of their own well-be- ing, and families making the most of this opportunity for time together or reconnecting with loved ones by phone or online. Churches are streaming lit- urgies and services online and people are rediscovering ways of praying, taking up spiritual reading and everyday pieties in this most “Lenten” of Lents. FromCongregation to Communion As Catholics, it’s no coin- cidence that community is a foundation of our spiritual life and for mission. Our par- ishes are not merely a venue for the reception of spiritual goods but a true good in itself that nourishes us in holiness, challenging to something far greater than privatised or in- ward-looking faith. When we experience the joy of being in Christ togeth- er - as a parish or faith com- munity - it deepens our com- Church closures hurt us, but they offers us ways to be creative - and grow This is our chance to rise to the challenge mitment to evangelisation, to sharing the joy of belonging in Christ with others. Indeed, the Gospel is ob- sessed with the idea of the unity of human society. In his farewell discourse, Jesus prays “that [we] may all be one” (John 17:21). This common life for Jesus is not a mere ag- gregation of individuals but a true communion marked by charity: “By this everyone will know that you are my disci- ples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). In Christ as one body, the disciples are called by Jesus to be united as ambassadors for justice and reconciliation, in communion with one anoth- er as witnesses of healing and hope, and of one mind and heart as preachers of God’s mercy and love in the midst of a scattered and divided world. As such, our Catholic faith places a strong emphasis on communion in worship, be- liefs and Christian action, on the communion of saints that is the Church on earth and in heaven, and on the spiritual, human, pastoral and intellec- tual benefits of doing things together. But how do we maintain this Catholic sense of identity and mission when we are no longer able to gather as we once did? Are there opportunities for spiritual growth in this seem- ingly barren time, when isola- tion and distance seem to be the order of the day? A Light in Darkness As churches close and the public celebration of Mass is suspended, we come into the presence of an absence that can shake us from deadening complacency. In these days, more than others, we notice what is no longer immediately accessi- ble to us and become more present to what is given but not always fully received. Like eager anticipation of a friend yet to arrive, this experience of the other is keenly present to us even though absent. We feel a spiritual hun- ger that draws us closer to the source of our fulfilment, as then-theologian Joseph Ratzinger affirmed: “A fasting of this kind could lead to a deepening relationship with the Lord in the sacrament. It could be an act of solidarity with all those who yearn for the sacrament but cannot re- ceive it. Sometimes we need hunger… to come fresh to the Lord’s gifts”. Preferable to a routine of church attendance and recep- tion of the Eucharist which lacks love or reverence, or as Ratzinger puts it, “does not do justice to the immense signif- icance of what is taking place”, we learn again and appreciate anew the gift of God’s self in his sacramental presence. As our Lenten practices instil, it is by our fasting and self-emptying that we are pre- pared to taste and be filled with the goodness of the Lord. Our local parishes remain key sources of spiritual nour- ishment at this time by foster- ing a continuing sense of be- longing, empowering action in common, nurturing values and a common life of prayer, and forming and building connections among the faith- ful through a variety of means. Just as parishes attract Catholics and visitors from well outside their geographic boundaries, so can parishes in this moment nourish the spiritual searching and itiner- aries of a whole host of people online and provide an anchor of meaning and society in un- certain times. Many parishes are already live-streaming the private cel- ebration of Mass or times of Adoration around which peo- ple gather online. Parish emails with prayers and spiritual reading can be sent to community members and groups, marking Feast Days with intentions focused on urgent needs and God’s provision. Priests can post or record encouraging reflections on the Gospel or readings of the day, guide their peo- ple through the Stations of the Cross, share podcasts on themes of faith and life, and connect parishioners’ needs with others with sup- ply in the community. Intercessory prayer groups can pray at common times, coordinating themselves by email, phone or social media. The Rosary and Angelus can be prayed in common, connecting us with the uni- versal church and establish- ing a common rhythm of spiritual life in the home. Online bible studies can take place through mediums such as Google Classroom while pastoral care can be co- ordinated by parishes through online conversation, especial- ly as the situation of elderly Catholics in nursing homes, hospitals and other institu- tions develops through time. Parish food pantries and online ordering and deliv- ering systems can be estab- lished in community or by parishioners supporting not only Catholics but anyone who finds themselves in need. Prayer cards or pastoral messages can be left in shop- ping bags delivered to the el- derly or isolated as an encour- agement and a gentle way of evangelisation. Our communities are awash with the charisms of dedicated priests and people who together in Christ form the parish as a centre of pas- toral care and evangelisation. These challenging times are a call to renew our spiritual life through methods both ancient and new, by creative expressions of Catholic life as the sign and reality of Christ’s continued presence in the midst of an aching world. Daniel Ang is the Director of the Archdiocese of Sydney’s Parish 2020 Project Our communities are awash with the charisms of dedicated priests and laity ... These challenging times are a chance to renew our spiritual life ...” Daniel Ang In brief Clinics disregard virus Key role for family ABORTION CLINICS in the US state of Ohio have refused to follow corona- virus-related orders from the state’s health director and attorney general. Of- ficials directed the clinics to end “non-essential and elective” surgeries such as abortion, but the state’s Planned Parenthood of- fices have promised to re- main open, implying that there is no such thing as a “non-essential and elec- tive” abortion. WITH HIS pastoral letter Come, Holy Ghost , Bishop Steven Lopes revealed the Ordinariate of the Chair of St Peter would now be- come the 14th Latin-Rite diocese to make the re- ception of Holy Eucharist normally follow Confir- mation. The practice is referred to as “restored order” of the sacraments, with a focus on involving the child’s family in sacra- mental preparation. The Ordinariate is the Catholic entity created in the US by Pope Benedict XVI which allows former Anglicans to preserve their rich and distinctive liturgical patrimony with- in the Catholic Church. “The principle upon which the Ordinariate’s practice must be found- ed ... between the Sacra- ments of Confirmation and Holy Communion,” Bishop Lopes said in his pastoral letter “Ideally, therefore, Confirmation and First Holy Commun- ion are conferred in the same celebration.” He explained that rath- er than follow a “mecha- nistic approach,” the Or- dinariate’s parishes will have parents integrally in- volved in the sacramental preparation of their child. Parish sacramental programs will take their cues from this family-cen- tered approach to reli- gious education. Both the child’s parents and parish priest will determine the “readiness of a child to re- ceive these Sacraments of Initiation.” Bishop Steven Lopes Daniel Ang A homeless person is treated by a Red Cross worker during the COVID-19 outbreak in Rome. PHOTO: CNS/GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE, REUTERS NEW