We are living in an unprecedented situation!
It can be very frightening to live with the unknown.
Let us remember to trust in God and as St. Paul tells us, “Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7.
With this in mind, we have several ways for you to nourish your souls during this pandemic. Here are some tips for spiritual survival!
Mass
We will live stream Mass at St. James from Monday through Friday at 8:30 A and on Saturday and Sunday at 9:00 A.
Like us on Facebook to join us for Mass remotely: https://www.facebook.com/stjamessavcatholicchurch/
You can pray this beautiful Spiritual Communion prayer to invite Jesus come into your soul while viewing Mass and anytime throughout the day!
We have also attached a Family Prayer Service Outside of Mass for you to use.
For daily readings, go to www.usccb.org and click on the calendar on the right side of the page. Or, visit www.ewtn.com/daily-readings.
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Although you may not be able to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation at this time, you can pray daily for forgiveness.
Here is an Examination of Conscience on the Diocese of Savannah’s website.
We have also attached a guide that, while directed towards engaged couples, can be useful for any adult.
Anyone with a true and contrite heart who – through no fault of their own – cannot go to Confession can trust in Jesus’ mercy. Just make a resolution to go to Confession as soon as the opportunity arises.
The Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because of Your just punishments, but most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen.
Stations of the Cross
Here is a simple, but beautiful digital version of Stations of the Cross to guide your prayer while we have ceased the public devotion. The Catholic faithful are encouraged to pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent, but you can pray it every day!
You can also hear an audio version at Creighton University and follow along on this printable guide.
Also, here is a link to a clip from Jesus of Nazareth (1977). The scenes depicted are from the moment of Pilate condemning Jesus to death to his ultimate death on the cross. It is a brief portion of a larger mini-series on the life of Jesus.
If you’re looking for something to do during this time, feed your faith on Formed! There are many wonderful programs and movies for adults and children alike! It’s EASY and FREE to register!
Visit formed.org;
Click on “Register” (lower right of page):
Enter Parish Code: NHNFN2;
Enter your email and create a password (you need this to login later)
Enjoy!
Reach Out and Touch Someone!
Some of you may remember the AT&T Long Distance Slogan “Reach Out and Touch Someone!” Now is the perfect time to do so!
Call an elderly neighbor.
Reach out to your elderly parents or grandparents on a regular basis.
Is there an elderly aunt or uncle that you’ve been wanting to call, but never seem to have the time? Now is your chance!
Is there someone with whom you’ve wanted to reconcile? Give them the gift of a phone call and the forgiveness that they may have been waiting for.
Positive Readings on the Pandemic
Below are two beautiful writings on the pandemic to reflect on. Perhaps you will want to keep your own journal of ways this crisis has brought you closer to God and others.
“Lockdown” by Fr. Richard Hendrick, OFM
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland is offering free meals and
delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number through the neighborhood so that
the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples are preparing to welcome and
shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary.
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting.
All over the world people are looking at their
neighbors in a new way.
All over the world people are waking up to a new
reality.
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing, Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by
Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
“Pandemic” by Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.