Parish Devotional Life in a Time of Pandemic
Times of Challenge
Since March 2020, the parishes of the Archdiocese and, indeed, parishes around the world have adapted to a series of fresh challenges. Here in the UK, first, public Masses were suspended, then private prayer in church as the country went into ‘lockdown’.
Parishes started live streaming Mass and many were able to offer some form of prayer together using technology or simply encouraging parishioners to recite a particular prayer at a particular time of day.
The challenge of maintaining the social and devotional life of the parish is one that has caused much headache and heartache over recent months alleviated somewhat by our return to Mass.
As we look at a second wave of coronavirus cases, however, and the possibility of further local lockdowns, the new Agency for Evangelisation and Catechesis is pleased to offer a regular series of simple prayers and reflections for use by parish groups over the internet.
Fresh Resources for Our Parishes
Fr Behruz Rafat, the parish priest in Tenterden, has successfully used Zoom and scriptural meditations during lockdown and is delighted to offer them to other groups - you can hear some of the feedback he has received in the short video clip below.
Over the coming months, the Agency will publish, weekly, either a scriptural reflection (and an accompanying work of art) or a decade of the Rosary which can be used via Zoom or other video conferencing software. The first scriptural reflection, on the Call of Samuel, can be found on our Resources page by clicking here.
We are also indebted to Forming Missionary Disciples for their guide to online ministry which is linked at the bottom of each published reflection.
Sharing your Wisdom
Knowing the giftedness of the priests, deacons and lay faithful in Southwark, we expect there to be many other instances of maintaining the devotional life of the parish through creative and technological means. We would, therefore, like to invite you to share what you have done by emailing us via the button below. Your initiative may be the key to others sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.