Parish ministries continue outreach via virtual platforms
August 7, 2020 at 1:02 p.m.
“There are people who need someone to share the struggles they are dealing with in a world that does not allow for social interaction,” he said.
While the group had to suspend in-person meetings because of COVID-19, the participant continued to need support as she dealt with a death in the family.
“The pandemic quarantine had caused much of her grief to resurface, and she hoped that something could be done to help her process these feelings,” Deacon Tharp said.
The woman’s email motivated him to see if the support group could meet virtually. They now hold online sessions at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Undeterred
Like St. Raphael-Holy Angels, there are a number of parishes around the Diocese that have created virtual ministries and outreach during the pandemic.
“What we do online is pretty much the same as when we were meeting live,” said Deacon Tharp, moderator of the bereavement support group. Sessions start and end with prayer; each person is asked to introduce himself or herself and talk about their deceased loved one. Other members offer support and share how they dealt with similar situations.
St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, is entering its sixth year of the “That Man Is You” program. Prior to the pandemic, participants would meet in person for 13 consecutive weeks in the fall and another 13 weeks in the winter and spring months.
Wes Trunko, a parish TMIY leader, said that when all parish activities were suspended, the agency that produces the program introduced a virtual version. DVDs were replaced with online videos, and suggestions were offered on how to hold small group discussions live online.
The group began meeting online March 25 for the spring months and will continue that format when the program resumes in September.
“We’re extremely grateful that we’ve been able to carry on despite the COVID-19 shutdown,” Trunko said of the program, which addresses life’s pressures specific to men and their roles as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and friends.
Growing Together
Online offerings in St. Luke Parish, Toms River, began in the early days of the statewide shutdown. In early March, a small group of parishioners formed an online prayer group and began reading Scripture and sharing with one another.
“This prayer group has evolved and has given me a strong sense of connection, and we continue to meet every morning,” said Joanne Hall, who volunteers in numerous parish ministries.
In early May, she said, the parish began offering virtual “Conversations with the Word” in which live online meetings are held every Friday. Participants review the Readings for the upcoming Sunday “and prepare our hearts and minds to receive the Word of God during our sacred liturgies.”
The text to the Readings is visible on the screen, and she uses PowerPoint slides and online resources from places such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Time for faith sharing and questions for discussion and private reflection are also included.
“As we have come to know one another better, we share on a deeper and more meaningful level about how the Scriptures connect to our daily lives, the world and all that is happening during these tumultuous times,” Hall said. “During these times of isolation, I think it is essential that we continue to find new ways to reach out to one another.”
Virtually Praying For Life
Members of the respect life ministry in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, are grateful they can virtually come together and pray for the sanctity of all human life in all its respects.
Dominic Conte, the parish’s respect life ministry leader, said the idea to begin online Rosary meetings originated after members had participated in the national 40 Days for Life program during Lent. Each Wednesday evening, they would gather on the sidewalk near the entrance to an abortion facility in Hamilton and peacefully pray the Rosary to bring about an end to abortions. The group of 20 continued to physically meet even when the quarantine orders were issued by the state, Conte said, but all were steadfast in adhering to the six-foot distancing rules.
As the end of Lent approached, Conte began looking at ways to safely bring the group together so they could continue their Rosary sessions. A deacon from the parish, who was familiar with online meeting platforms, provided assistance.
Describing the sessions, Conte said they begin with an opening prayer and then five participants each take a turn in leading a decade of the Rosary.
Conte said there are about nine people who participate in the weekly Rosary sessions then noted that he would whole-heartedly welcome faithful from other parishes throughout the Diocese to join. Conte maybe reached by phone, 609-586-1438 or email: Flying [email protected].
Looking Ahead
St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, is technologically gearing up for the start of an online Scripture study in September, according to Mark Russoniello, coordinator and facilitator of the study.
“As people continue to stay/work at home, this is an ideal opportunity to set some time aside to grow in understanding of God’s Word,” he said, and with social distancing measures and limits on the number of people who can attend Mass in-person, “we want to give folks a different opportunity to stay connected to their faith, to each other and to the parish community.”
Russoniello said it was decided to offer the Scripture study using a small group format. While large group or in-person gatherings “will not be an option for some time” and with many people hesitant to engage in face-to-face activities, he said parish staff agreed that a remote, small group format “was the best way to begin a transition back to more ‘normal’ activities.”
Russoniello said the groups will be offered weekly for about 12 weeks, depending on the availability of the participants, and the plan is to use Google Meet because it is a secure platform and offers up to 60 minutes of free meeting time. Three group day and time slots will be available with one in the morning, one in the evening and a midday session that could accommodate parishioners who are working from home. Each group is required to have a minimum of four people and no more than 10. Each week, participants will be sent a meeting notice along with a link to the session and technical support will be provided for any parishioners who may need help getting started.
“This is truly an opportunity for us as Church to see how we can more effectively use the technology that is at our disposal to re-imagine what it means to be community and to respond pastorally to the needs of God’s people no matter what the challenges and obstacles,” Russoniello said. “God’s Word transcends time, space and technology and we are united when we share in that Word.”
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“There are people who need someone to share the struggles they are dealing with in a world that does not allow for social interaction,” he said.
While the group had to suspend in-person meetings because of COVID-19, the participant continued to need support as she dealt with a death in the family.
“The pandemic quarantine had caused much of her grief to resurface, and she hoped that something could be done to help her process these feelings,” Deacon Tharp said.
The woman’s email motivated him to see if the support group could meet virtually. They now hold online sessions at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Undeterred
Like St. Raphael-Holy Angels, there are a number of parishes around the Diocese that have created virtual ministries and outreach during the pandemic.
“What we do online is pretty much the same as when we were meeting live,” said Deacon Tharp, moderator of the bereavement support group. Sessions start and end with prayer; each person is asked to introduce himself or herself and talk about their deceased loved one. Other members offer support and share how they dealt with similar situations.
St. Joan of Arc Parish, Marlton, is entering its sixth year of the “That Man Is You” program. Prior to the pandemic, participants would meet in person for 13 consecutive weeks in the fall and another 13 weeks in the winter and spring months.
Wes Trunko, a parish TMIY leader, said that when all parish activities were suspended, the agency that produces the program introduced a virtual version. DVDs were replaced with online videos, and suggestions were offered on how to hold small group discussions live online.
The group began meeting online March 25 for the spring months and will continue that format when the program resumes in September.
“We’re extremely grateful that we’ve been able to carry on despite the COVID-19 shutdown,” Trunko said of the program, which addresses life’s pressures specific to men and their roles as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and friends.
Growing Together
Online offerings in St. Luke Parish, Toms River, began in the early days of the statewide shutdown. In early March, a small group of parishioners formed an online prayer group and began reading Scripture and sharing with one another.
“This prayer group has evolved and has given me a strong sense of connection, and we continue to meet every morning,” said Joanne Hall, who volunteers in numerous parish ministries.
In early May, she said, the parish began offering virtual “Conversations with the Word” in which live online meetings are held every Friday. Participants review the Readings for the upcoming Sunday “and prepare our hearts and minds to receive the Word of God during our sacred liturgies.”
The text to the Readings is visible on the screen, and she uses PowerPoint slides and online resources from places such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Time for faith sharing and questions for discussion and private reflection are also included.
“As we have come to know one another better, we share on a deeper and more meaningful level about how the Scriptures connect to our daily lives, the world and all that is happening during these tumultuous times,” Hall said. “During these times of isolation, I think it is essential that we continue to find new ways to reach out to one another.”
Virtually Praying For Life
Members of the respect life ministry in Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony Parish, Hamilton, are grateful they can virtually come together and pray for the sanctity of all human life in all its respects.
Dominic Conte, the parish’s respect life ministry leader, said the idea to begin online Rosary meetings originated after members had participated in the national 40 Days for Life program during Lent. Each Wednesday evening, they would gather on the sidewalk near the entrance to an abortion facility in Hamilton and peacefully pray the Rosary to bring about an end to abortions. The group of 20 continued to physically meet even when the quarantine orders were issued by the state, Conte said, but all were steadfast in adhering to the six-foot distancing rules.
As the end of Lent approached, Conte began looking at ways to safely bring the group together so they could continue their Rosary sessions. A deacon from the parish, who was familiar with online meeting platforms, provided assistance.
Describing the sessions, Conte said they begin with an opening prayer and then five participants each take a turn in leading a decade of the Rosary.
Conte said there are about nine people who participate in the weekly Rosary sessions then noted that he would whole-heartedly welcome faithful from other parishes throughout the Diocese to join. Conte maybe reached by phone, 609-586-1438 or email: Flying [email protected].
Looking Ahead
St. Leo the Great Parish, Lincroft, is technologically gearing up for the start of an online Scripture study in September, according to Mark Russoniello, coordinator and facilitator of the study.
“As people continue to stay/work at home, this is an ideal opportunity to set some time aside to grow in understanding of God’s Word,” he said, and with social distancing measures and limits on the number of people who can attend Mass in-person, “we want to give folks a different opportunity to stay connected to their faith, to each other and to the parish community.”
Russoniello said it was decided to offer the Scripture study using a small group format. While large group or in-person gatherings “will not be an option for some time” and with many people hesitant to engage in face-to-face activities, he said parish staff agreed that a remote, small group format “was the best way to begin a transition back to more ‘normal’ activities.”
Russoniello said the groups will be offered weekly for about 12 weeks, depending on the availability of the participants, and the plan is to use Google Meet because it is a secure platform and offers up to 60 minutes of free meeting time. Three group day and time slots will be available with one in the morning, one in the evening and a midday session that could accommodate parishioners who are working from home. Each group is required to have a minimum of four people and no more than 10. Each week, participants will be sent a meeting notice along with a link to the session and technical support will be provided for any parishioners who may need help getting started.
“This is truly an opportunity for us as Church to see how we can more effectively use the technology that is at our disposal to re-imagine what it means to be community and to respond pastorally to the needs of God’s people no matter what the challenges and obstacles,” Russoniello said. “God’s Word transcends time, space and technology and we are united when we share in that Word.”