Resources for Home Prayer during Social Distancing

Resources for Families, Parishes and Dioceses during the COVID-19 Crisis

http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/covid-19-crisis-resources-from-catholic-publishers.cfm

Resources from Catholic Education Ministries for faith formation with children

FamilyTogether.stcdio.org

The Kids' Bulletin

Download the current Kids' Bulletin here

Spiritual Communion

Having to abstain from the Eucharist for a time is a great sorrow; it can help us appreciate the
many Catholics in our world who live with this situation daily due to persecution, lack of clergy,
times of war, imprisonment, and other causes. While the Sacraments are of inestimable value as
the ordinary channels of grace, the Catechism reminds us that “God is not Himself bound by His
sacraments” to bestow these graces (see n. 1257) when their reception is not possible. For now,
you can make a Spiritual Communion:

Make an Act of Faith: O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins
and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the
Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and
wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

Make an Act of Spiritual Communion: My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy
Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot
at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You
as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated
from You.

From Father Tom

During this time, balance the need to remain informed with calm vigilance. Don’t overdose on
stress and become obsessed with newsfeeds. If you now have unexpected time due to
cancellations, use it to spiritual advantage:

read the Bible
pray the Rosary
sit in silence with God.
Take time to write long-delayed letters, call a friend, play a game or cards with your family, just talk with one another.
Go into that list of “some day when I have some time I will …” and select a meaningful work of mercy.
Check on neighbors and friends, especially the elderly.
Offer particular prayers for those on the front lines in health care, public health, law enforcement, government, and other vital services that we often take for granted.

Perhaps it can still be a Lent of Gratitude when our plans change and God grants us the gift
of Time.

My daily prayers, and the work of salvation by God, continue. Fr. Tom

Downloadable prayer card seeking intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe

http://www.usccb.org/about/communications/upload/prayer-coronavirus-2020-card.pdf