Family with Teen(s)
Pray
Join your parish for Mass, even now!
The most difficult thing for our parish during the isolation of the pandemic is our inability to gather to celebrate the Eucharist. Fortunately, our parish is recording and posting Mass on our website and Facebook every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Here is a great reflection on the situation right now, with some good suggestions for joining in the celebration of Mass online. Nothing replaces being able to be together to celebrate the Eucharist, but we're all doing the best we can in truly historic times.
Here is a great reflection on the situation right now, with some good suggestions for joining in the celebration of Mass online. Nothing replaces being able to be together to celebrate the Eucharist, but we're all doing the best we can in truly historic times.
Learn
Let the Readings be your Guide
Fr. Tim has made a great point -- during these times we have to practice physical distancing. We DON'T have to practice social distancing. We should be using all the non-contact means we can to reach out to our family, friends, Church, and other communities -- to stay socially connected.
Many publishers are making their resources available online, free of charge, during this time of physical distancing due to the pandemic. Here is a great resource that invites you to pray, learn, and do, all in one, as you read and reflect on the Sunday readings. While we can't gather in person for Mass right now, this is one way to engage with the readings. Catholics, and some other Christians, all over the world are looking to the same readings for guidance, strength, and comfort. This resource allows you and your family to join with them in pondering the Word.
Ideally, you would look up the readings in your Bible as you use this material, but you can also find the readings here, at the lower right of the homepage. You will find explanations of the readings, questions for discussion or reflection, and ideas for living out the message the rest of the week. Try it!
Many publishers are making their resources available online, free of charge, during this time of physical distancing due to the pandemic. Here is a great resource that invites you to pray, learn, and do, all in one, as you read and reflect on the Sunday readings. While we can't gather in person for Mass right now, this is one way to engage with the readings. Catholics, and some other Christians, all over the world are looking to the same readings for guidance, strength, and comfort. This resource allows you and your family to join with them in pondering the Word.
Ideally, you would look up the readings in your Bible as you use this material, but you can also find the readings here, at the lower right of the homepage. You will find explanations of the readings, questions for discussion or reflection, and ideas for living out the message the rest of the week. Try it!
Do
Keep a Journal
You have probably heard parents or teachers or others say that we are living through a truly historic event. You may even be tired of hearing it. But, it's true -- your children and grandchildren will learn about these days and weeks in their history classes someday. In fact, if you go on to become a health care provider, a first responder, a teacher, a public servant, or just about any other occupation, your training will likely be shaped, in part, by what we are learning today in the face of a global crisis.
You probably have time on your hands. I would like to suggest keeping a journal as a way to fill time, remember the events of these days (because you WILL forget some things), and preserve your personal history and that of your family. A journal is also a way to reflect on and process tough times, which can help a person deal with their stress. It can be a means of prayer as well.
Any old notebook or stack of paper will do. You can create an electronic journal as well, creating a video diary (remember Good Luck Charlie?) or some other form. However, I strongly encourage you to start a WRITTEN journal. When we write things down, a connection is made between our hand and brain that helps us to remember and learn from what we write. Writing our thoughts and feelings can also help us to get it out of our system, which is a means of coping with stress. A journal can take different forms on different days. One day you may write a letter to God, and the next you may write a letter to yourself. You might write poem, or a prayer, or just a straight narrative of what happened on a given day. You might include a joke or a meme that helped you to make sense of this difficult to process situation. Doodling or drawing alongside the written word can be another way to reflect and pray. Insert a photo to help you remember a game you played, a puzzle you did, or a walk you took. Include that recipe you tried to make because you were so bored. Using different colors of ink to reflect your feelings or just to make it fun is another idea.
Your journal will be as unique and beautiful as you are! And one day, you will be glad to have it as you look back on these days and weeks.
You probably have time on your hands. I would like to suggest keeping a journal as a way to fill time, remember the events of these days (because you WILL forget some things), and preserve your personal history and that of your family. A journal is also a way to reflect on and process tough times, which can help a person deal with their stress. It can be a means of prayer as well.
Any old notebook or stack of paper will do. You can create an electronic journal as well, creating a video diary (remember Good Luck Charlie?) or some other form. However, I strongly encourage you to start a WRITTEN journal. When we write things down, a connection is made between our hand and brain that helps us to remember and learn from what we write. Writing our thoughts and feelings can also help us to get it out of our system, which is a means of coping with stress. A journal can take different forms on different days. One day you may write a letter to God, and the next you may write a letter to yourself. You might write poem, or a prayer, or just a straight narrative of what happened on a given day. You might include a joke or a meme that helped you to make sense of this difficult to process situation. Doodling or drawing alongside the written word can be another way to reflect and pray. Insert a photo to help you remember a game you played, a puzzle you did, or a walk you took. Include that recipe you tried to make because you were so bored. Using different colors of ink to reflect your feelings or just to make it fun is another idea.
Your journal will be as unique and beautiful as you are! And one day, you will be glad to have it as you look back on these days and weeks.