Photo: Kenny Luo, Unsplash / US - PD
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:12)
Recently, I found myself thinking about ways where we, the laity, can reach out to our fellow parishioners during this Coronavirus pandemic. Many members of our parish family still are not able to participate in the live Mass in person due to age, infirmity, or even fear. Our parish provides a place for us to build relationships and friendships that bring us together as a family, and when we cannot all come together we can experience loneliness, abandonment, or even feel forgotten. There are many of our seniors, especially, who are in great need of someone reaching out to them. I have thought of some ways in which we can individually do something to let our brothers and sisters in Christ know that we care about them, and ways that we can possibly reach out to our pastors and ask them if we can be of assistance to them during this difficult time.
1. Make a Phone Call
This may seem like a no-brainer, but why not pick up the phone and call a fellow parishioner who we know of personally, who has not been able to come to Mass. Let someone know we are praying for him or her, and look forward to the day when we can all come together again.
Another idea, is on a larger scale, which involves us asking our pastors if it would be possible if we can have a group of active parishioners reach out to those who have been away from the Church due to the pandemic. I have previously been involved with such an endeavor during the beginning of the pandemic where I was able to work on behalf of the pastor to help reach out to parishioners of the parish to see how they were doing, and to let them know that we are praying for them during this difficult time.
Our pastors are doing everything that they can during this time, but maybe we can reach out to offer a helping hand. Please, keep in mind though that the ultimate decision for taking part in such an apostolate would be up to the Pastor, who is the Shepherd of the parish.
2. Create a Blog
Why not create a blog where we can write about our Catholic faith and experiences? For those who are tech savvy this could be a way for them continue to feel like a part of our lives even though we cannot physically be with them.
3. Send Cards
Again, if we know of members of our parish family who are struggling during this time we can send them a card letting them know that we care about them.
Another idea, which should be run by our pastor first, is if there are parishioners that he knows of or maybe it could be done for every parishioner, to send a card expressing that our thoughts and prayers are with them during this time of pandemic.
I was blessed to be able to volunteer for a pastor where I had the opportunity to send cards to parishioners who I had previously contacted by phone to let them know that I was still thinking about them and praying for them.
4. Face-to-Face Interaction Via Zoom
Nothing is better than in-person interaction, which is the natural method for communication as a human being, but that may simply not be possible right now for some members of our parish family. Why not reach out to a fellow parishioner through a Zoom call?
5. Make a Home Visit
Our Catholic faith calls us to unity; face-to-face and heart-to-heart. Why not meet them outside of their home and greet them with our masks on and from a safe social-distance? Of course, this would have to depend on the person's comfort level.
I have been able to meet with some of my parish brothers and sisters simply by stopping to chat while walking my dog. Why not take a stroll over to see how a parish family member is doing, or call first and ask him or her if it all right to stop by?
Another idea for something that can possibly be done for more parishioners, is to reach out to our parish's Legion of Mary, if we have one. We can ask them if they have been able to continue parish visitation or how a plan can be developed to safely be able to begin going door-to-door again. It may be difficult, but it is not impossible. Human beings crave interaction because we are meant for one another. We cannot remain a part for ever, it is simply not human.
