Month: May 2020 (Page 7 of 7)

Jonathan Leeman: When Should Churches Reject Governmental Guidelines on Gathering and Engage in Civil Disobedience?

May 2, 2020 / Maya Rebitzer

As the COVID-19 stay-at-home quarantines tarry, folks are getting restless. State governments think about pathways to opening up. The stock market leaps a couple percentage points at the slightest whisper of a vaccine. And pastors have begun to ask each other, “When can our churches gather again?”… Read the rest

Episcopal Archdiocese of New York: Returning to Public Worship

May 1, 2020 / eyjeon24

What follows is a series of recommended sacramental guidelines for archdiocesan parishes as we foresee a return to public worship in the forthcoming weeks and months. It is anticipated that the reopening of our churches and the resumption of the public celebration of the sacraments will be a gradual process marked in phases:

Phase I – Churches Open for Private Prayer and Confessions
Phase II – Celebration of Baptisms and Marriages (limited to 10 attendees)
Phase III – Celebration of the Rite of Distributing Holy Communion Outside of Mass
Phase IV – Celebration of Daily and Funeral Masses with Limited Attendance
Phase V – Celebration of Sunday Mass with Supervised Attendance
Resumption of Full Parish Mass Schedules and Sacramental Activities

Commencement dates and a detailed description of each phase will be announced by the Vicar General’s Office in the coming weeks, in consultation with health and government officials and in consideration of current health metrics.… Read the rest

Reconstructing Judaism: Reopening Our Institutions

May 1, 2020 / David Freidenreich

The American Jewish community, like all faith communities, is suffering and in pain at this moment of pandemic and illness – and has risen to the challenges we face with grace, fortitude, heroism and beauty.

We grieve all the lives lost and pray that their memories become blessings for all of us and we offer comfort and condolence to all who mourn.… Read the rest

Garrett Kell: How Do I Avoid Pastoral Burnout During COVID-19?

May 1, 2020 / Maya Rebitzer

This pandemic has exposed pastors to new and unexpected pressure points in their ministries. Often, I’ve felt alone and exhausted. There’s no easy way out of the ditch of despair, but here’s some advice I hope will be helpful.

1. Discern your soul.… Read the rest

Aaron Menikoff: How Can We Care for our Older and At-Risk Members?

May 1, 2020 / Maya Rebitzer

I’m writing these words under a requirement to shelter-in-space. I’m homebound. For the first time in my adult life, I know what it’s like to be confined to the four walls of my modest, ranch home. It’s not the worst of times, but it’s not the best, either.

… Read the rest

PDF — Thomistic Institute: Guidelines for Anointing of the Sick