April 13, 2020
 

The next video meeting will be Thursday, April 16, 2020 at noon (12:00 pm) EDT. Be sure to REGISTER for the video call. All are welcome to attend.

Two new questions will be explored:

• Solidarity is a word that is being used positively by Church leaders as a response to the pandemic. What can we add to this conversation and how can we join the conversation to promote mission?
• How can we begin now to plan for recovery – the days when the “shelter in place” orders are lifted – even if just for a few? Especially among the missions where some are already beginning to emerge from shelter in place (China) and when some countries are just beginning their journey up the curve.

Highlights from the Conversation on April 9^th:

Twenty people came together on Holy Thursday to accompany one another through the Coronavirus and be in solidarity with the missions.

• A question about the US stimulus package – CARES – was raised and if anyone was going to apply for it. Some said they would, others would not. USCMA will and Don will update people on what he learns through the application process.
• USCMA created a one-page update on the mission appeal models it has received. Members can download it from the website.
• USCMA will launch a mission appeal in social media. The task force will meet next week. It was reported that Los Angeles was not cancelling its mission appeal program. Denver is extending its deadline to May 15^th.
• Some Catholic organizations are attempting to coordinate their message about how the Church is not “closed down” but “deployed” to help others in so many ways – Catholic Health Care, Catholic Charities, hope, encouragement, education, prayer. Organizations are encouraged to report all the ways the Church is responding to the pandemic and to use the hashtag #CatholicCares.
• One person was concerned about the Spanish people in the parish; the English-speaking community attends the live streaming events, but the Spanish do not. Perhaps the Spanish community may not have the capacity to “live stream” (computer and internet). Others noted cultural differences – that many people from Mexico, for example, already watch Mass on TV, or say the rosary with a televised rosary. They are already connected with devotions that center more on Guadalupe than on the Mass. One person said they had “open houses” via Zoom; several in English and one in Spanish and the one in Spanish, though good, was very different. One person suggested reaching out to a few leaders in the Spanish community – to just let them know the parish cares – and do a phone tree to connect with people.
• One person noted that after the Coronavirus, things will not be the same.
• USCMA invited people for an hour of prayer with Jesus in the tomb on Holy Saturday.

Solidarity

We stand with our brothers from the Society of African Missions who continue to pray for the release of their brother, Father Luigi Maccalli, who was taken in September of 2018. The Society of African Missions is asking us to keep him close to our hearts in our prayers and to refrain from unconfirmed reporting while the society works to secure his safe return.

Prayer of Confidence

O Jesus, your disciples often found you at prayer, and so they asked you to teach them how to do it. Help me to pray in confidence to the Father, just as you did. When I am facing my own agony of doubt and fear, pray with me so that I find courage and hope. When my life leads me to the cross, take my hand so that my heart stays strong. Most of all, strengthen my resolve to pray: Not my will, but yours be done. Amen. 

Resources

Our friends at Maryknoll Lay Missioners have put together a good online resource for their community about COVID-19. Check it out: https://mklm.org/coronavirus-resources/​.

Jeff Newell, our friend who is a missionary to Haiti, shared this video (in Creole) to promote safety during the pandemic.

Pope Francis launched a COVID 19 Emergency Solidarity Fund. People can donate through Missio. Here is the LINK. The goal is to raise $750,000 from the US. All funds collected will go to the Holy Father’s solidarity fund.