Sunday, 3/22/2020
Worshipping From Home: Learning a New Routine
With the suspension of public Mass, we are all invited to learn a new routine for celebrating the Lord’s day. There are a few ways we can do this at home with our families and in spiritual communion with the community of believers.
Public Masses are suspended but our priests are still celebrating!
Ideas for Viewing Mass at Home
Since we are not able to receive the Eucharist at a public Mass, the faithful are encouraged to make an act of spiritual communion.
How to Make an Act Spiritual Communion
Sunday is the Lord’s day — with or without Mass. Make Sunday look and feel different in the life of your family with an activity and shared meal.
Check out Our 52 Sundays Resources
Monday, 3/23/2020
Encounter: Take time to pray in Silence
Take time today to rest in the Lord. You can spend your time inside or outside; just find a space that works for you and your family members.
How to: Set aside a period of time in silence (15 to 30 minutes) to spend time with the Lord in prayer. Before you begin, watch the video “God Calls Us to Pray” from FORMED. This video gives some meditative music, images, insight and reflection questions to consider in your time of prayer.
Tuesday, 3/24/2020
Grow: What it takes to be called a Saint
Take some time to learn more about the path to sainthood and reflect on saints that have special meaning to you and your family.
How to: Watch the video, How Does the Catholic Church Declare Official Saints? and reflect on the questions below:
- The video shows how the saints “assist” God. What are some ways God is calling you to help Him reach people?
- Many turn to the saints to ask for prayers from them. Who do you ask to pray for you? Who are saints that you ask to pray for you? Why?
- Take some time to learn more about a specific saint or the patron saint of something you are interested in. Not sure where to start? Check out more about our local saint, Fr. Solanus Casey.
Wednesday, 3/25/2020 (Annunciation of the Lord)
Witness: Pray a decade of the rosary aloud as you walk through your neighborhood
Celebrate the Annunciation by reflecting on Mary’s journey while walking through your neighborhood.
How to: Grab a rosary (or use your fingers). If you only have time for one decade, consider praying the 1st Mystery of the Joyful Mysteries today: The Annunciation of the Angel to Mary.
Thursday, 3/26/2020
Encounter: Family Praise and Worship Time
Spend some time encountering the Lord through music either by playing/singing or worshipping with recorded music.
How to: Bring your family talent together to form a musical ensemble and learn some praise and worship music. You can even create your own instruments. Another option is to find some old Vacation Bible School CDs or stream other praise and worship music (i.e., “Alexa, play some praise and worship music”) and praise God along with the music.
Some song suggestions include: “Holy Spirit” by Jesus Culture; “Your Grace is Enough” by Matt Maher; “Open the Eyes of My Heart” by Paul Baloche; “The Heart of Worship” and “10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)” by Matt Redman; “Here I Am To Worship” by Tim Hughes; and “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to them on Spotify or this YouTube playlist
Friday, 3/27/2020
Grow: Family Prayer Sticks
This is a fun activity that can help your whole family build the habit of prayer. The prayers you include can be both traditional and for the specific needs during this time, like praying for our neighbors, healthcare workers and those who might be sick.
How to: Find the steps using the link below. You will take popsicle or craft sticks and write your prayer intention on them. Don’t have that crafting supply? You can use strips of paper or another creative substitute. Use “prayer sticks” during a family meal having each person take turns sharing the intention on their stick.
Saturday, 3/28/2020
Witness: Pray the Angelus Over the Phone
Take time to unite your prayers with others and connect to the prayer from 52 Sundays this week.
How to: Call or video chat with a relative, neighbor, or fellow parishioner at a specific time to pray the Angelus together. Select a prayer leader and consider beginning your prayer with any prayer intentions you have. The Angelus is traditionally prayed at 6 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m. so consider praying at that time to unite your prayer with others around the world.