Dear Friends and Members of Regnum Christi,

We hope this message finds you safe and healthy.  Please be assured that we continue to hold you and your families in our prayers as we all navigate the waters of these uncertain times.  With Holy Week upon us, we encourage everyone to prepare their hearts to live out the coming days with a prayerful spirit, as we accompany our Lord through His Passion and Resurrection.  It is particularly trying for the faithful to live Holy Week without sacramental graces. Let us exercise our trust in the Lord to provide and to continue growing in intimacy with Jesus and give Him to others.

During these challenging moments, as many are dealing with fear, anxiety, and even loneliness, our mission becomes even more important. This new reality has caused us to adapt and create new ways to live our daily lives. So, during these times, we aim to continue serving the best we can with virtual programs, retreats, resources, and support.  

The Legionaries have continued to minister to others using the phone and internet. Fr. Jesus Salinas has been livestreaming Mass every day for the Royalmont Academy community, as well as sending out videos with spiritual reflections.  Fr. Lucio Boccacci and the Regnum Christi missionaries (Jose, Jean-Paul, Daniel) continue to meet virtually with high school guys for their weekly Encounter with Christ and are getting everything ready for an amazing summer at Camp River Ridge!  Fathers Thomas Flynn and Matthew Summe continue to give spiritual direction virtually and the men’s online Encounter with Christ, as well as doing a few projects around the house.  Br. Ryan Carlin is taking good care of us as administrator of the house.  Fr. John Bullock directed a virtual RC Triduum for women using a short video for each meditation and livestreamed a Mass for the NKU’s Newman Club.  The whole community livestreamed their Mass last Monday morning on our Facebook page -- see the recording here.  

The Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi have stayed in touch with souls to offer spiritual support. On the Feast of the Annunciation the whole community led a Rosary via Facebook and recently livestreamed adoration with praise and worship songs. Jacquie Lustig, Maria Knuth and Ally Wheeler have been in touch with the ECYD girls and young women via internet and phone. Maria Knuth is also continuing her role in ECYD national support.  Lorli Pregel accompanies many consecrated women and meets via Skype with our RC missionaries, Grace Sullivan and Lizzy Conklin, who are still working with ECYD while they are at home.  Maria Reinagel continues her work "from home" for the Archdiocese as Vicar of Religious and offers spiritual direction to women.  Mary Schwarz and Heidi Seubert offer spiritual guidance to young women.  Heidi also directs online retreats for women.  Heidi and Lorianne MacDonnell are reaching out to the families at Royalmont.  Lorianne and Yvonne Nuxoll offer spiritual direction and spiritual exercises in daily life.  Yvonne is staying busy in her national work of accompanying Regnum Christi leaders across the US and Canada.  Ally is helping with our virtual Holy Week Missions this year that you can participate in via Facebook @CincinnatiHolyWeekMissions and on Instagram @missionyouthcincy.

Please consider donating to support our local Legionaries and Consecrated Women in the Ohio Valley.  Thank you to those who have already responded with a gift.  As you know, having to “stay at home” makes it harder to earn the stipends and receive your donations, upon which we rely.  Any contribution that you can make will help us over the hump. A monthly recurring offering to stabilize our finances would be especially helpful. In whatever amount you're able to give, you will make a big difference in helping our Legionaries of Christ, Consecrated Women, and mission of Regnum Christi in the Ohio Valley get through this temporary downturn.  Thank you for helping -- no amount is too small.  

The following resources are available from Regnum Christi Ohio Valley and our local Legionaries of Christ and Consecrated Women.  Links to all of these resources are also available to share on our website.  These resources can assist you and your family to strengthen your faith and continue to walk closely with our Lord during this Holy Week and beyond - from within your home.