Written by Mary Lou Hughes
In an April 2 article in these pages, Sister Kathleen Burton, SSJ, described how Parish Catechetical Leaders (PCLs) around the Diocese of Camden were adapting to guiding catechesis in quarantine, and shared some of the ways they were maintaining contact with families.
Over the last three weeks, as we stayed home and stayed safe, it became evident that the center of our Catholic community had become our own domestic church. Our connection with the wider church community moved online. We celebrated Holy Week and Easter through live-streamed liturgies, retreats, missions and Bible studies. Just as the first disciples, we spent Holy Saturday sheltering at home in our small communities.
We could not get our palms on Palm Sunday, so house doors were decorated with other greenery. We heard the Gospel proclaimed on Holy Thursday and washed one another’s feet in the comfort of our own kitchens. Stained glass windows were not a part of our Easter celebration, so families made their own. Some are on doors, some in windows, others on sidewalks and driveways.
When the church at home becomes the place to be evangelized, evangelization flows from it.
Saint Paul VI tells us, “Such a family becomes the evangelizer of many other families, and of the neighborhood…” (EN71). Using all resources available to them, PCLs continue to support families as they help each member to “grow in faith through the witness of their Christian lives …” (CT68).
Parish leaders have streamed updates on sacraments, prayed with families and organized class meetings on Zoom. There are Facebook groups for sharing information, formation opportunities and encouragement. Parish websites exhibit many examples of families sharing faith.
A very big thank you to Brother Mickey McGrath, OSFS, for his gift of various coloring pages. PCLs have invited families to use the pages, while coloring, for prayer and meditation. The completed pictures are then sent to friends and local nursing homes as encouragement, connection in our isolation.
As we move into May, Mary’s month, catechetical leaders are offering ideas to families for learning about, praying with, and celebrating Mary. At a recent meeting, –online, of course – the ideas were flying fast. How many different names of Mary do you know? Where in the world has the Blessed Mother visited? Have you been gardening? How about planting a “Mary Garden” this year? Have you ever visited the Miraculous Medal Shrine in Philadelphia? While we can’t visit now, there are online activities families can use to learn more. Crowning Mary can happen in every home is this year.
These and many other ideas are being shared by PCLs as we begin the month of May.
The fundamental task of catechesis is formation of disciples of Jesus Christ. The question for all of us in this time of uncertainty is how we can do that. How can those of us at home with our families, those of us in the ministry of catechesis — how can we support the domestic church and help families strengthen it?
Mary Lou Hughes is co-director, Office of Faith, Family Life & Lay Ministry Formation, Diocese of Camden.