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St. mbrose august 23, 2020 AParish BEEHIVE Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy During the Pandemic “Often it is the people closest to us who need our help. We sisters in Christ who do not have access to clean water should not go out in search of some unknown business to ac- and suffer from the lack of this basic necessity. complish. It is better to begin with the simplest, which the Lord tells us is the most urgent.”—Pope Francis General Au- SHELTER THE HOMELESS dience (10/12/2016) • Consider donating toiletries and sanitary items to a lo- cal shelter since those who suffer homelessness—and the THE CORPORAL WORKS OF MERCY facilities that minister to them—are especially vulnerable The Corporal Works of Mercy are found in the teach- at this time. ings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat all • Financially support organizations that are working to others, as if they were Christ in disguise; they “are charitable support the homeless population in your community. actions by which we help our neighbors in their bodily needs” (U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults). VISIT THE SICK • While in-person visits are not advisable during this time, FEED THE HUNGRY please invest time in reaching out via phone/video call or • Check in with your parish community to see if there are by sending a letter or card to those who may feel particu- parishioners who cannot (or should not) go grocery shop- larly isolated during this time. ping themselves. • Offer to assist caregivers of chronically sick family mem- • Check in with your parish to see if the food pantry is ad- bers by grocery shopping or cooking for them so they do equately stocked. not have to risk exposure. • Organize a network of volunteers in each parish/commu- • Reach out to health care workers in your community who nity to grocery shop for parishioners in need, especially may be overworked, burdened, or in need of specific sup- the more vulnerable populations in our community. port at this time. GIVE DRINK TO THE THIRSTY VISIT THE PRISONERS • Do not purchase or hoard more water than you need. • Explore whether your parish or diocese has a prison min- • While handwashing is vitally important, make an effort istry and, if so, check whether they are in need of supplies not to waste water—in solidarity with our brothers and or support. Continued on page 2 AUGUST 23, 2020 - THE BEEHIVE Works of Mercy continued from page 1 ADMONISHING THE SINNER • Being confined in close quarters for long periods of time • Given that people in prison can be especially isolated with families or housemates can test us in more ways and vulnerable during this pandemic, consider how to than one, so be supportive in helping others find their support those who are ministering to them and bringing way and correct their mistakes. them the Word of God. • Recognize the reality of spiritual warfare in daily inter- actions and strive to cultivate the corresponding virtues BURY THE DEAD needed to resist your personal temptations. • Now that funerals may be limited or restricted, reach out with cards or phone calls to those who have recently lost COMFORTING THE SORROWFUL a loved one. • Write a letter or send a card to someone who is suffering • If possible, visit the cemetery to pray for those you have and let them know you are thinking of them. lost—and to ask their intercession on behalf of all those • Remember that a few moments of your day may make a facing death today. lifetime of difference to someone who is going through a difficult time. GIVE ALMS TO THE POOR • Consider sharing links to spiritual resources with those • Reach out to those who may have been especially bur- who may be isolated, such as livestreamed Masses, so dened during this pandemic, especially those whose oc- that they can participate in community worship from cupations make them more vulnerable to economic in- home. stability. • Remember that the lack of public celebration of Masses FORGIVING INJURIES may result in parishes struggling financially in the next • For families, this time may maximize opportunities to few months; be sure to continue your support and if pos- exercise forgiveness, so take this time to model the im- sible, increase offerings for those who cannot donate due portance of forgiveness both for this life and the next. recent financial hardship or inability to work. • If the sacrament of Reconciliation is not available in your • Remember that Catholic Relief Services continues to parish at this time, commit to making a regular examina- serve the most vulnerable and consider making a dona- tion of conscience. tion or praying for them as you are able. • Learn and/or teach your family members the Examen prayer and/or the Divine Mercy Chaplet. THE SPIRITUAL WORKS OF MERCY The Spiritual Works of Mercy have long been a part of the BEARING WRONGS PATIENTLY Christian tradition, appearing in the works of theologians and • Practice developing and strengthening the virtues of tem- spiritual writers throughout history; just as Jesus attended to perance, prudence, fortitude, and justice. the spiritual well-being of those he ministered to, these Spiri- • When frustrated with someone, step away from the situ- tual Works of Mercy guide us to “help our neighbor in their ation, take a few deep breaths, and pray the Our Father, spiritual needs” (U.S. Catholic Catechism for Adults). asking God for patience. • Commit to praying the Stations of the Cross once a week. COUNSELING THE DOUBTFUL PRAYING FOR THE LIVING AND THE DEAD • Reassure and support those who may be especially anx- ious during this time. • Pray the rosary with family members, via video confer- • If someone asks you for advice, orient your response to ence or conference call if needed, for all those who are Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. suffering from the effects of this pandemic. • Keep your own book of prayer intentions, writing down the names of those who you are keeping in your prayers, INSTRUCTING THE IGNORANT and let people know that you are praying for them. • With public celebration of Masses unavailable, learn • Ask a friend or family member if there is anything you and/or teach someone else how to make a Spiritual Com- can pray for them about munion. • Take this time to recommit to your own study and forma- Reprinted from Together in Christ Responding to tion and, for those home with children, take advantage of COVID-19, developed and published by the this time to reflect on the faith as a family. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, usccb.org. AUGUST23, 2020 - THE BEEHIVE “Jesus has made Himself the Bread of in the eucharistic sacrifice, the source Life to give us life. Night and day, He and summit of the (entire-totius) Chris- All is there. If you really want to grow in tian life, [the faithful] offer the divine love, come back to the Eucharist...” victim to God and themselves along hings XXX with it (LG #11). T th On August 14 , Archbishop The shape of Christian life and Considered Vigneron sent this letter to the priests of worship is undeniably cruciform and Catholics know that in main- our Archdiocese. It was countersigned eucharistic; in offering the divine vic- taining a healthy spiritual life, there is by all of his active Auxiliary Bishops: tim and entering into his worship, we nothing more important than the fre- Arturo Cepeda, Gerard Battersby, find our strength, (cf. Nehemiah 8:11) quent reception of Holy Communion. Donald Hanchon and Robert Fisher. and we discover a hope that does not Jesus comes to us in a unique way in the It is a thought-provoking letter, so I disappoint (cf. Romans 5:5). There is Eucharist. When he comes, we receive share a portion of its content owith you no substitute, despite our most valiant him into our body and our soul. This is here: efforts to put a good face on it, for our personal, and intimate. We should not As you know gathering as a people ever take this gift for granted! our initial dispensation knit together by the Holy Our normal pattern of bring- regarding Mass atten- Spirit, to worship as one ing children in our Religious Education dance is quickly com- with, through and in Program to First Communion during ing to an end. In order Christ. Eastertime was short circuited by the to fashion a faith-filled The Holy Sacrifice outbreak of Covid-19 and the prohi- response to the continu- of the Mass is the very bition on religious gatherings. We’re ing crisis, cognizant of center of our identity as now attempting to bring those children the legitimate concerns priests; we were made to the Lord’s table in the best way that of the faithful to return- for the Eucharist. It is fits their families’ circumstances. We ing to a regular pattern the identity of our people saw some of that last weekend when of public worship, we too, deputed for the task Lucy Nyenhuis and Hudson Lauver- would like to offer some Hudson of sharing in the mis- Swanson came to their First Eucharist general considerations Lauver-Swanson sion of evangelization; with their families. as you teach about the they find in the Eucha- While it may have not been centrality of the Church’s rist the source of their the “grand” celebration usually asso- worship and our partici- zeal and strength (UTG, ciated with the event, it was beautiful pation in it.