Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As you may have heard, last Wednesday Cardinal Blase J. Cupich announced a phased plan to open up churches in a safe and strategic way.
Four guiding principles undergird the multi-phased Plan:
- Everything possible should be done to provide people the solace of the church’s sacramental life in a timely and reasonable way.
- The current situation in Illinois remains dangerous and fragile. While much has been achieved, there remains the potential that the gains could be lost by a second more virulent wave.
- Trust needs to be established that the top priority in any Plan is the safety and wellbeing of people. We cannot take for granted that people will return just because churches are reopened.
- Calling people to exercise faithful citizenship will be key. Each Catholic will need to take personal responsibility for the common good as well as their own safety.
With these principles in mind, a Plan to prudently and gradually resume the full scope of public sacramental celebrations, liturgies and faith practices, has been designed. The Plan envisions a set of required measures and phases. There will be an ongoing review of the Plan so that adjustments are made in accord with new data.
For more information on this plan, including a letter from Cardinal Cupich, please click here.
Know that the work of virtual accompaniment and the provision of virtual programs and materials by the Department of Parish Vitality and Mission will certainly continue as we all practice our faith in a safe and worshipful way.
Yours in Christ,
Father Peter Wojcik
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Archdiocese Announces Phased Plan to Open Churches
A plan to prudently and gradually resume the full scope of public sacramental celebrations, liturgies and faith practices, has been designed. The Plan envisions a set of required measures and phases. There will be an ongoing review of the Plan so that adjustments are made in accord with new data. The basics of the Plan are as follows:
- A robust communications effort to inform parishes and parishioners of the Plan and any updates to it.
- Each parish needs to recruit non-vulnerable volunteers at the parish level to assist the pastor in implementing the Plan.
- The selected volunteers are to complete training by way of a webinar. The training will begin the week of May 18.
- A required certification of readiness to reopen will be required of each parish at each phase. Each parish is to complete an implementation template confirming completion of all action steps and demonstrating that there are a sufficient number of trained volunteers to execute it.
- Phase I allows for parishes to reopen for Baptism, Reconciliation, Weddings and Funerals with a limit of 10 attendees.
- Phase IA allows for parishes to reopen for private prayer and adoration with a limit of 10 attendees. Given the training schedule noted above, it is anticipated that all parishes, if they choose to do so, could be opened by May 23 for Phase I and by May 30 for Phase IA.
- Phase II allows for reopening for weekday and weekend Masses for larger groups depending on the guidelines from the state and the capacity of the church building.
- Through ongoing discussions with pastors, health care professionals and civil authorities, there will be a review of the Plan at each stage with an eye to making adjustments in accord with new data.
For more information, including a letter from Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, please click here.
Virtual PreCana
The Archdiocese of Chicago is thrilled to offer live PreCana sessions virtually in English, Spanish and Polish!
Participants enjoy the benefit of live interaction with other couples as well as the ease of having private conversations in the comfort of their own homes. Those who participate to do not need to be living or getting married in the Archdiocese of Chicago to fulfill their PreCana requirement through these virtual sessions. For more information, including how to register, please visit pvm.archchicago.org/virtual-precana.
Virtual Grief Groups
Each online grief group consists of a small group of adults (18 years of age or older) who have lost a family member or a friend. In the absence of our usual in-person parish life, our online grief groups are places to share stories and feelings with others who have also experienced loss. Our online grief group facilitators are not counselors and do not give advice, but they will be present to listen and to guide each grief group in prayer and discussion. As Jesus comforted Martha and Mary after the death of their brother, Lazarus, a grief group is a place of comfort in our tradition. If you have experienced loss and are interested in joining us, please sign up here.
Support the Kolbe House Jail Ministry
In the effort to protect vulnerable people in Illinois prisons from COVID-19, many are being released quickly. Upon release it is common for people to have nothing but the clothes on their backs. To get a safe start on life in the community they need food, clothing, basic transportation, guidance to resources, and reinforcement of social distancing guidelines. Kolbe House Jail Ministry is part of a coalition of organizations providing such assistance.
To help meet these needs, the Kolbe House Jail Ministry has put together an Amazon Wish List for desperately needed items. Additionally, your monetary donation today will be used to purchase $50 grocery gift cards and $30 CTA passes for essential travel. Give online here or mail your check to:
Kolbe House
2434 South California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60608
Thank you for your compassion for these brothers and sisters!
Virtual Prayer Groups and Book Clubs – You Can Still Register!
During these extraordinary times we wish to offer the following virtual initiatives as a means for our parishes to build community and fortify our faith together. You do not need to be Catholic or live in the Chicago area to join – all are welcome!
- Virtual Prayer Groups
Small groups that connect regularly to pray, read and reflect on scripture, share prayer intentions and share helpful tips/resources (meet approximately twice a week).
- Small prayer groups will meet English, Spanish and Polish.
- Book Clubs
Small groups read a selected book and meet about once per week to discuss them.
- Prayer Group for Engaged Couples in English
The COVID-19 crisis has altered the way that each sacrament is administered in the Catholic Church. As health precautions become stricter for the health and safety of the greater good, engaged couples are now facing cancellations, indefinite postponements or smaller wedding alternatives that were unfathomable just a few weeks ago. The Archdiocese of Chicago is excited to offer a weekly virtual prayer group for engaged couples that have felt the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Led by a couple facing the same difficulties, this weekly prayer group will provide a sense of community, solace and reliance on faith that is sure to bring comfort. The virtual prayer group will take place on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. via ZOOM. To register, please click here and select “Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. (James Erler and Krystle Frey | English)”.
For all schedules and registrations visit pvm.archchicago.org/events/covid-19-virtual-events.
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Liturgy Training Publications has developed further prayer resources during the virus crisis. Among them are the Liturgy of the Hours for every Sunday, and resources for the sick and dying. (Link)
Music Licensing
For information regarding music licensing for streamed or recorded Mass click here.
Praying Through the Pandemic
Praying Through the Pandemic is a flexible resource for individual or group prayer, focused on praying about—and through—the COVID-19 pandemic. Available in English – Spanish coming soon. Click here.
Prayer and Worship Resources
Ongoing Prayer Resources
- The Office for Divine Worship has additional prayer resources here.
- Liturgy Training Publications (LTP) has responded to the current COVID-19 situation by developing opportunities to pray at home in English and Spanish. (Link)
- Magnificat is currently offering complimentary access to its at-home prayer resources (English | Spanish)
- Daily Catholic Gospel is a free daily email resource providing reflections on the Gospel of the day (English/Spanish)
- Liturgia de la horas / Spanish liturgy of the Hours (Spanish)
- Liturgy of the hours (Link 1) (Link 2)
- Pray the Rosary with a Seminarian from Mundelein Seminary every Wednesday (Link)
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Bring Hope to Our Neighbors
We invite you and your parish to join with other parishes throughout the Archdiocese to Bring Hope to Our Neighbors. As a way to celebrate Pentecost, we have developed tools to send your parishioners outward to leave a note for ten of their neighbors to share the resources of our Catholic Community. This is a wonderful way to engage families and others in your community to reach outward.
For more information and all of the tools available in English, Spanish and Polish, visit our website or email us at officeforevangelization@archchicago.org. We’d love to know if you are going to participate. Please fill out this form to get more information and/or to let us know your parish is going to celebrate Pentecost this way!
Spanish Alpha Online
The Office for Evangelization and Missionary Discipleship is pleased to announce we will be offering Alpha Online in Spanish! Alpha Online is meant for anyone who is interested in exploring questions of faith in a safe, friendly, judgement free space through Zoom. We invite you or anyone you think could use a way to connect during these uncertain times to join us. All are welcome, no matter their level of faith. There is no commitment, no cost. Come for the first night and then decide if you want to come back. We will be here for 11 weeks.
Click here to sign-up for Alpha Online in Spanish. The first session began on Thursday, May 7th. A link will be sent to you prior to each session to ensure security. And please pray for this Alpha series and all who join together to explore faith.
Feel free to share our flyer with those who might be interested!
EBook
The Vatican released a free ebook that shares Pope Francis’ prayers and reflections from the last couple of months of the pandemic. Read the book here.
Art
Need an art break? The Vatican Museum has a series on “Beauty that Unites” that highlights works from their collection. The Vatican is also offering a virtual tour of their museum space.
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Cor Night – May 26
"Come with me to a quiet place, and let us rest awhile."
Mark 6:31
Cor Nights are prayer nights for young adults that are meant to be a time to rest and find peace in the calming atmosphere of God's presence. Live praise and worship music will be playing, a reflection on a Scripture passage will be shared and you can comment your prayer intentions as we go. Come to a time and space for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and bring about peace and healing (cor means "heart" in Latin).
This event will be live streamed on the Chicago Theology On Tap Facebook page. Feel free to invite friends!
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Celebrate Laudato Si' Week (May 16 – 24)
To commemorate the fifth anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si', Pope Francis has invited Catholics to participate in Laudato Si' Week, a nine-day global campaign taking place May 16 – 24, 2020. Read a letter from Cardinal Cupich encouraging the faithful to participate. Visit archchicago.org/laudatosiweek to learn about a speaker series available on Zoom, as well as resources available for individuals, families, and faith communities. Sign up to receive daily reflections with ways to pray, learn, and act to care for God’s creation. New bilingual resources at usccb.org/environment can also help you observe the fifth anniversary of Laudato Si', including a postcard, memes, discussion guide, prayer resources and more.
Weekly Rosary
Pastoral Migratoria invites you to join in solidarity with those affected by the coronavirus pandemic by praying together the Holy Rosary every Thursday at 3 p.m. (May dates: Thursday, May 14, May 21, and May 28). In these times of difficulty and uncertainty, let us join as a family to raise our prayers and petitions to the Father and thus in unity plead with Him for the end of COVID-19. The Holy Rosary will be prayed in Spanish. See the attached flyer for further details. To register or for more information, please contact Raymundo Valdez at 773.619.1448 or rvaldez@archchicago.org.
Pastoral Migratoria “Asamblea Virtual”
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our Immigration Ministry has continued its ministry of accompaniment. Each Saturday, the ministry convenes a virtual assembly for parish leaders via Zoom from 12 – 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Miguel Salazar at msalazar@archchicago.org.
Mental Health Resources
Due to COVID-19, anxiety and depression are on the rise; however, resources are available.
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Hosting Meetings on Microsoft Teams – Virtual Engagement Tip
Microsoft Teams is a virtual meeting and collaboration platform available free of charge to anyone with an archdiocesan email address. You can also invite people without an archdiocesan account to join in your Teams conferences, such as parents and catechists. Here is helpful information to share with participants in your Teams meetings:
When people click the “Join Microsoft Teams Meeting” link associated with your meeting invitation, a webpage will open providing them three options:
- Go to the Teams App
They can select this option if they have previously downloaded the Teams app on their laptop or phone, they can select this option.
- Download the Windows App
If they do not have the app installed, they can select this option to do so and then be routed to the meeting.
- Continue in this Browser
If they do not have or do not want to download the Teams app, they can select this option to join via the Internet.
Please note that participants outside of the Archdiocesan network will be sent to a meeting waiting room. You will have to admit them into the meeting.
Updates and Opportunities for Faith Formation Ministers
Virtual Catechist Certification Retreat – Second Offering!
The catechist certification retreat 7 Ways to Grow Spiritually During the Pandemic retreat will be offered again on Wednesday, May 27, from 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Click here to register. For more information, please contact Kenneth Velasquez at certification@archchicago.org or 312.534.8606. Retreat will be conducted in English.
Vacation Bible School – Training Session for Offering Program Virtually
Catechetical leaders from eight parishes are offering a training session on Friday, May 29, from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. on offering Vacation Bible School virtually this upcoming summer. View the flyer for more information. To register, click here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Zoom meeting.
Youth Ministry After COVID-19 – Food for Thought
America magazine recently published this article exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging teens and how youth ministers are being called to respond. In the article, Christina Lamas, executive director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry, notes that, “When we talk about coming out of the pandemic, it’s those parishes that were able to establish strong relationships that will thrive.”
Faith At-Home Resources
May Crowing and Marian Devotion
Encourage families to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May by celebrating a May Crowning in their home. This free resource (English) is intended to provide the domestic church with a beautiful way to engage in Marian devotion. It is a useful guide not only for Catholic parents, but also for teachers, catechists, ministers, or anyone wanting to help others deepen their devotion to Mary this May or throughout the year.
Feast Day of St. Rita, Friday, May 22nd
St. Rita of Cascia is known as the Saint of impossible causes. Encourage families to learn more (English | Spanish) about Rita on her feast day.
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