Pandemic evangelization or lack thereof: Advent is coming

There is so much happening right now. It's hard to take all it in. Sars-Cov-2 continues its unabated path through the populations of the majority of U.S. states, increasing hospital occupancy to alarming levels and leaving more people dead. The presidential election is winding down with election day next Tuesday and all that comes goes along with that. In short, it's easy to despair and be overwhelmed.

It will be interesting to see where the Church stands once we've made it through these trying times. As a member of the clergy, though not one who makes my living from my service, it is tempting to worry. But why worry? Worry solves nothing. Parishes and congregations that have simply gone into maintenance mode, a kind of ecclesiastical half-life, will be surprised when not close to everyone comes back. Whereas those that have actively reached out, adapted in creative ways, viewed what's happened as an opportunity will be just fine and perhaps even better off. Things will be different when the pandemic ends.

As Catholics, we talk about this thing called "the new evangelization" a lot. Yet, at least where I live, I see a lot of missed opportunities for evangelization. This moment is ripe for evangelization. How does my faith help me in times like these? How can a more holistic practice of my faith assist me when things are difficult, strange, stressful? How many parishes have attempted to teach people how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, formed Zoom Rosary groups, conducted on-line Bible studies, discussed the USCCB's Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship during this election year? How many parishes have endeavored to teach parents how to conduct something like a children's Liturgy of the Word in their homes and/or recommended or helped with acquiring resources for these purposes? How much sharing of the practice of lectio divina, centering prayer, recommendation of useful apps, like 24/7 Prayer's Lectio 365 has occurred? How many of our clergy have a deep, consistent personal prayer life?

Livestreaming a Sunday Mass is great and probably something that should continue beyond the pandemic but it can't be all that is done. Even in this regard, how many parishes have worked on improving the production of their live-streamed Masses? How many have invested in better equipment, reviewed what they're doing, sought feedback, and made improvements? How many have developed social media strategies for outreach to encourage and help people?

Anyway, these are thoughts that have been running through my mind the past few weeks. Yes, it's easy to make recommendations. If I weren't working two jobs and still managing a certain amount of parish and pastoral ministry, I'd be better able to help with the execution of some of what needs to be done. I am past the age at which I think trying to do everything is a good idea. I am not worried. But I think that in the years following the pandemic dioceses will have to look at major realignments. For their part, parishes need to attend to adult faith formation and a much bigger portion of this formation needs to be focused on equipping people to practice their faith more holistically and practically.

What's bound to happen is that a lot of people who formerly attended Mass regularly and whose only practice of the faith was attending Mass every week or nearly every week (this is a lot of Catholics) will get used to not attending and, frankly, see very little difference in their lives as a result of not attending. This will be especially true of many people who've heard nothing from their parish during this period of time. I don't think it will be an angry response, it will simply be their new normal. Some will revert being Christmas and Easter church-goers and some will not even while perhaps continuing to identify as Catholics. Others will have perhaps discovered more support and uplift in other Christian communities, ones that have seized this time.

I know, a rather pessimistic picture but not entirely so. The pandemic with all its restrictions continues and will continue throughout the winter and into the Spring. There is Advent, Christmas, Lent, and likely Easter. What is the strategy beginning with, say, Advent, which starts in less than a month? Isn't this a major theme at the beginning of Advent: "Awake, arise, it's later than you think"? Parishes need to heed this call.

Strangely, I haven't been listening to a lot of music lately. So, choosing a traditio for the last Friday of October was a bit more challenging than usual. Because I love the Irish comedy Moone Boy, especially the Halloween episode, "Ghost Raft," which features this song, I chose to go with Enya's "Orinoco Flow" as done by Choir! Choir! Choir! There is a bit of bad language up-front. Won't it be wonderful when we can do things like this in-person again?