At #USCCB20, +Coakley, chairman of domestic justice and homan development committee, presenting on coronavirus pandemic.
*human
#USCCB20 on pandemic:
+Coakley- bishops have advocated for the poor, the marginalized, elderly people, for Catholic schools and charities, for prisoners, and others impacted by crisis.
conference presses for "urgent relief that affects millions."
+Coakley- bishops have advocated for the poor, the marginalized, elderly people, for Catholic schools and charities, for prisoners, and others impacted by crisis.
conference presses for "urgent relief that affects millions."
#USCCB20 on pandemic:
+Coakley-- Regional variability of pandemic impacts. Bps have worked hard to lead their local churches.
Today's discussion is to share experiences, best practices, and "the enduring encounter with the Lord who shines a light of hope in our darkest moments.
+Coakley-- Regional variability of pandemic impacts. Bps have worked hard to lead their local churches.
Today's discussion is to share experiences, best practices, and "the enduring encounter with the Lord who shines a light of hope in our darkest moments.
#USCCB20 on pandemic:
+Coakley- 3 questions to consider:
-How have you encountered the Holy Spirit at work in your diocese during crisis?
-What thing have you done or observed most in service to Gospel during crisis?
-How have you and your ppl encountered Lord amid crisis?
+Coakley- 3 questions to consider:
-How have you encountered the Holy Spirit at work in your diocese during crisis?
-What thing have you done or observed most in service to Gospel during crisis?
-How have you and your ppl encountered Lord amid crisis?
#USCCB20 on pandemic:
+Coakley- In OKC, I have felt gratitude for the Lord, witnessed growing hunger the Eucharist, seen significant impact causing limitations on pastoral activities, but "the creative spirit in some has been evidence to me of the Holy Spirit at work."
+Coakley- In OKC, I have felt gratitude for the Lord, witnessed growing hunger the Eucharist, seen significant impact causing limitations on pastoral activities, but "the creative spirit in some has been evidence to me of the Holy Spirit at work."
#USCCB20 on pandemic:
+Coakley- "I have seen a new missionary spirit come alive during the crisis."
There seems to be a new awareness that we need to be a more evangelizing Church. There's a new urgency that I see in many." Will people return? How will we invite them?
+Coakley- "I have seen a new missionary spirit come alive during the crisis."
There seems to be a new awareness that we need to be a more evangelizing Church. There's a new urgency that I see in many." Will people return? How will we invite them?
#USCCB20 on pandemic:
+Coakley- The most valuable thing we've done in OKC is accompaniment: Helping parishes set up website and online giving, get livestream equipment + training. We have asked priests and ppl how they're doing, if they need anything, how their parishioners are.
+Coakley- The most valuable thing we've done in OKC is accompaniment: Helping parishes set up website and online giving, get livestream equipment + training. We have asked priests and ppl how they're doing, if they need anything, how their parishioners are.
+Coakley- We've tried to facilitate volunteering opportunities, phone chains to check in on neighbors, and foster community. Thanks KofC for "Leave No Neighbor Behind" initiative.
+Coakley: Ppl have more time, and many have used that time to grow in prayer, family unity, etc. Many suffer depression, isolation, anxiety.
But for those who have allowed this moment to be an opportunity to seek the heart of God, this time has been a blessing.
But for those who have allowed this moment to be an opportunity to seek the heart of God, this time has been a blessing.
+Coakley, quoting St. Paul: "When I am weak then I am strong."
Invites bps to offer their reflections.
Invites bps to offer their reflections.
+Cantu:
-In San Jose diocese, we have had weekly zoom meetings with pastors to discuss "the new reality," "how to do liturgies and to livestream it," tech issues, evangelization, "reaching out to their parishioners and how necessary that was to avoid isolation"
#USCCB20
-In San Jose diocese, we have had weekly zoom meetings with pastors to discuss "the new reality," "how to do liturgies and to livestream it," tech issues, evangelization, "reaching out to their parishioners and how necessary that was to avoid isolation"
#USCCB20
+Cantu: I encouraged parishioners to have staff reach out to vulnerable parishioners, especially elderly and sick.
We continue to make hospital visits, home visits for the sick.
Some of our parish youth groups did grocery shopping for the elderly.
#USCCB20
We continue to make hospital visits, home visits for the sick.
Some of our parish youth groups did grocery shopping for the elderly.
#USCCB20
+Cantue: Zoom sessions now every other week. We've had to talk about finances, had to make difficult decisions, 15% of staff across the diocese including chancery has been laid off.
Continued to discuss health protocols.
Continued to discuss health protocols.
+Cantu: Told health officials our parishioners have a deep need to come together to pray as a community.
Have had "open dialogue" with health officials.
Held zoom meeting with parochial vicars, and with retired priests. "Completely different tenor" to those meetings.
Have had "open dialogue" with health officials.
Held zoom meeting with parochial vicars, and with retired priests. "Completely different tenor" to those meetings.
+Cantu: One retired priest told him that he is really getting tired of the pandemic. Hadn't seen any persons all day.
Isolation a major issue.
Some pastors and parish staffs have been very creative: "virtual dialogues," and virtual "home visits," via zoom.
#USCCB20
Isolation a major issue.
Some pastors and parish staffs have been very creative: "virtual dialogues," and virtual "home visits," via zoom.
#USCCB20
+Cantu: Catholic schools adapted without any problems to virtual learning, but in recent weeks returned to in-person learning for families who want to do that.
Catholic Charities distributing a LOT of food: Hundreds and hundreds of cars "wasn't only the poor," but unemployed.
Catholic Charities distributing a LOT of food: Hundreds and hundreds of cars "wasn't only the poor," but unemployed.
+Cantu: Catholic Charities offering mental health assistance, and looking to assist people who have been evicted.
Edified by engagement with other bps.
+Gomez: Thank you.
Edified by engagement with other bps.
+Gomez: Thank you.
+O'Malley: In Boston we lost several priests and one auxiliary bishop, who were "among the first victims."
Concerned that people were dying alone and without sacraments in nursing homes and hospitals, established a 30 priest "covid-priest" ministry.
Concerned that people were dying alone and without sacraments in nursing homes and hospitals, established a 30 priest "covid-priest" ministry.
+O'Malley: Covid team has taken the sacraments to "many hundreds of people, and not one of the priests got sick during this time."
Praises generosity and valor of priests "wanting to serve the sick and the dying."
#USCCB20
Praises generosity and valor of priests "wanting to serve the sick and the dying."
#USCCB20
+Tyson of Yakima: Want to talk about encounter with the Risen Lord-
Yakima had highest rate of infection on West Coast. Our community experienced it different. Before pandemic, Yakima hospital closed, so many patients were transferred to other parts of the state.
Yakima had highest rate of infection on West Coast. Our community experienced it different. Before pandemic, Yakima hospital closed, so many patients were transferred to other parts of the state.
+Tyson: B/c we're agricultural, more than half of workers were considered essential workers. Ag workers couldn't get protective gear. there were wildcat strikes and labor unrests, workers afraid to bring virus home to their families.
I took great encouragement from Pope Francis.
I took great encouragement from Pope Francis.
+Tyson: Pope
Francis has said there is no going back to a pre-covid world. And we need to plan pastoral care "based on the footprint of the Risen Lord."
Thomas saw the wounds, recognized the Lord, and put his faith in Christ.
#USCCB20
Francis has said there is no going back to a pre-covid world. And we need to plan pastoral care "based on the footprint of the Risen Lord."
Thomas saw the wounds, recognized the Lord, and put his faith in Christ.
#USCCB20
+Tyson: The deepest spiritual reflection is to see Jesus. We need to see Jesus.
We need see healthcare needs, ppl living in shadows of society with no voice, wounds of racism
"If you want to protect the unborn here in central Washington, you have to go through the undocumented.
We need see healthcare needs, ppl living in shadows of society with no voice, wounds of racism
"If you want to protect the unborn here in central Washington, you have to go through the undocumented.
+Tyson:
We need to bear the healing oil of Jesus, and ask ourselves how to bear it well.
Covid-19 shows us there is more to cure than simply the spread of a virus. I hope we can bear witness to the oil of gladness and help ppl encounter the Risen Lord.
We need to bear the healing oil of Jesus, and ask ourselves how to bear it well.
Covid-19 shows us there is more to cure than simply the spread of a virus. I hope we can bear witness to the oil of gladness and help ppl encounter the Risen Lord.
+Barron:
I have a simple idea. Has to do with concern about people coming back to Church.
Seems to me we should launch a "bring someone back to Church" national campaign, encouraging people to bring someone with them when ppl return.
I wonder if evang committee could help.
I have a simple idea. Has to do with concern about people coming back to Church.
Seems to me we should launch a "bring someone back to Church" national campaign, encouraging people to bring someone with them when ppl return.
I wonder if evang committee could help.
+Gomez: thanks. Good initiative.
+Talley of Memphis:
We have 21 counties- urban, suburban, and rural. Rural parishes did not have internet technology to do zooming and livestreaming. Very proud of pastors.
"People were hungry for Eucharist after the first couple of months of isolation."
#USCCB20
We have 21 counties- urban, suburban, and rural. Rural parishes did not have internet technology to do zooming and livestreaming. Very proud of pastors.
"People were hungry for Eucharist after the first couple of months of isolation."
#USCCB20
+Talley: I have been teaching the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling within us.
While we continue to hunger for the Living Bread, the Lord is with us, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
Have been teaching the importance of remembering that.
#USCCB20
While we continue to hunger for the Living Bread, the Lord is with us, through the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts.
Have been teaching the importance of remembering that.
#USCCB20
+Wester of Santa Fe:
We've been doing the practical things you said. "It's kind of a perfect storm. What we really need is to come together, pray together, support one another. What the virus needs is for us to come together. So it's an interesting conflict."
We've been doing the practical things you said. "It's kind of a perfect storm. What we really need is to come together, pray together, support one another. What the virus needs is for us to come together. So it's an interesting conflict."
+Wester: Ppl expressing love for the Eucharist, but there is a real anger in our archdiocese about closed churches.
We're grateful for that beautiful devotion, but trying to keep ppl safe, and emphasize the many ways that Jesus is present to us.
We're grateful for that beautiful devotion, but trying to keep ppl safe, and emphasize the many ways that Jesus is present to us.
+Wester: We've been using the tag line: "home is the holy place," emphasizing the domestic Church.
Says that ppl have to sacrifice being present for the Mass for the sake of our others. "We've been hitting that theme pretty hard."
#USCCB20
Says that ppl have to sacrifice being present for the Mass for the sake of our others. "We've been hitting that theme pretty hard."
#USCCB20
+Flores:
I have been edified and seen the Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of priests and deacons providing sacramental ministry.
I have been edified and seen the Holy Spirit through the sacrifice of priests and deacons providing sacramental ministry.
Most edified when I told ppl we were going to reopen, but we needed disinfect churches after Masses, ppl of all kinds have stepped forward to do that.
"This is a very powerful sign to us." The ppl who could be most instructive to us all are those who have given of themselves.
"This is a very powerful sign to us." The ppl who could be most instructive to us all are those who have given of themselves.
+Flores: I am just so grateful. We should reflect on these people stepping forward to do the hard work of disinfecting churches so they can have the Mass and Eucharistic adoration.
I'm very moved and very grateful.
I'm very moved and very grateful.
+Flores:
I saw ppl kneeling outside of churches when we couldn't open them. I saw ppl crying outside the basilica. This is the renewal of the Church, and I am so grateful and moved.
#USCCB20
I saw ppl kneeling outside of churches when we couldn't open them. I saw ppl crying outside the basilica. This is the renewal of the Church, and I am so grateful and moved.
#USCCB20
+Wall: 62% of Gallup diocese is on federal land- over two states, and in reservations - we deal with a lot of entities.
Reservations remain closed. Great need and hunger for the Eucharist.
We have a high rate of diabetes, congestive heart failure, ergo a high rate of death.
Reservations remain closed. Great need and hunger for the Eucharist.
We have a high rate of diabetes, congestive heart failure, ergo a high rate of death.
+Wall is buffering.
+Wall: On the Navajo reservation, 30+% of ppl do not have running water. They drive to get water. But when there are lockdowns-- you can imagine how difficult it is for them.
3 generations live in 2 or 3 bedrooms, you can imagine how hard "social distancing" is.
3 generations live in 2 or 3 bedrooms, you can imagine how hard "social distancing" is.
+Wall: Grateful for Southwest Indian Foundation and Knights of Columbus.
There is a grace of an increased love, desire, and hunger for the Eucharist. People long for the Eucharist.
There is a grace of an increased love, desire, and hunger for the Eucharist. People long for the Eucharist.
+Wall:
I am working on a pastoral letter on the Eucharist. There is a great desire and hunger for the Eucharist.
I have encouraged my priests to make the sacrament of penance more available for ppl. Anxiety is increased, and the sacrament of God's mercy helps to lessen it.
I am working on a pastoral letter on the Eucharist. There is a great desire and hunger for the Eucharist.
I have encouraged my priests to make the sacrament of penance more available for ppl. Anxiety is increased, and the sacrament of God's mercy helps to lessen it.
+Wenski of Miami:
We have been edified by the clergy and priests of the arch. I talked to priests with high risk factors, and they all insisted on staying on and working in their parishes.
We have been edified by the clergy and priests of the arch. I talked to priests with high risk factors, and they all insisted on staying on and working in their parishes.
Wenski:
When we started Masses again at Pentecost, we have had no one who is claimed to have gotten the virus from being at Mass, or from having received the Eucharist, whether in the hand or on the tongue.
We should all note that.
#USCCB20
When we started Masses again at Pentecost, we have had no one who is claimed to have gotten the virus from being at Mass, or from having received the Eucharist, whether in the hand or on the tongue.
We should all note that.
#USCCB20
+Wenski:
This virus should make us better evangelizers, because we are growing in humility, and hopefully it will open mission fields to us, b/c ppl will be more receptive to the Gospel.
#USCCB20
This virus should make us better evangelizers, because we are growing in humility, and hopefully it will open mission fields to us, b/c ppl will be more receptive to the Gospel.
#USCCB20
+Vann:
When things started, I saw ppl kneeling outside the cathedral in the rain b/c they couldn't get into Mass. I was moved.
Hispanic areas hard hit. I have been trying to be with ppl in those parishes.
I'm grateful for Cali bps supporting each other. And for Fratelli Tutti.
When things started, I saw ppl kneeling outside the cathedral in the rain b/c they couldn't get into Mass. I was moved.
Hispanic areas hard hit. I have been trying to be with ppl in those parishes.
I'm grateful for Cali bps supporting each other. And for Fratelli Tutti.
+Knestout of Richmond:
Time of great trial but also great grace. Time of adaptation.
(Knestout appears to be speaking from his cathedral.)
Time of great trial but also great grace. Time of adaptation.
(Knestout appears to be speaking from his cathedral.)
Most bishops, by contrast, appeared to speak from their offices. +Wall might have been...camping?
#USCCB20
#USCCB20
+Knestout: We have been able to reschedule various liturgical events intended for the diocese. We moved our Eucharistic Congress online, including a holy hour from the cathedral.
+Knestout: We were able to obtain a plenary indulgence for those who attended the Eucharistic Congress online.
We also adapted the bicentennial celebration of the diocese.
We also adapted the bicentennial celebration of the diocese.
The discussion on the coronavirus pandemic has now come to an end.
Bishops will now discuss racism. I'm going to start a new thread.
#USCCB20
Bishops will now discuss racism. I'm going to start a new thread.
#USCCB20
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