This week...
As we begin Holy Week, if you are feeling any of the same things I am, you are missing your faith community. Today as my family gathered around the kitchen table to watch Palm Sunday Mass live-streamed on Facebook, I was acutely aware that my faith community was not physically present with me. I felt a loss at not being with my parents and my grandmother like we have been for my entire life on Palm Sunday. And, I suspect, I will feel this even stronger as this holiest of weeks progresses, culminating in Easter next Sunday. While there is sadness and a sense of loss it is also so very comforting to know that as Catholics we are a part of the larger church. We do have a community that is worshipping with us. And in many cases they may even be saying the exact same prayers at the exact same moment we are. We are still one body of Christ - praise God!
However, again, if you are like me and feel a sense of longing for community remember to check out all of the resources that have been made available during this pandemic. I am not exaggerating when I say that I have lost track of all the phenomenal resources that are available online. There are way too many to list but here are a few resources that I would like to remind you of:
- Before the office closed, April Family packets were packed full of Lent/Holy Week/Easter resources for all families with children in grades K-6. Those were left in a blue bin by the gym door and are available to be picked up 24/7.
- Your free subscription to FORMED has paid off in BIG ways. They have made a HUGE number of resources available for use on smartphones and smart TVs, tablets, and computers. They have an entire channel dedicated to Holy Week resources: https://watch.formed.org/holy-week-triduum. Signing up is free and couldn't be easier. Think of FORMED as Netflix for Catholics. FORMED offers movies, cartoons, studies, eBooks, audio talks, and more. Even better... it's FREE for all Parishioners (our gift to you!). Registering for your free account is easy:
- Go to formed.org/signup
- Select your parish
- Register with your name and email address
- Check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED
- Holy Week at Home from Sophia Press has tons of FREE resources
to keep your family deeply involved in every day of Holy Week. - Free resources from RCL Benziger to use at home.
- School at Home ideas from a Catholic family's perspective
- Pray at home with the Magnificat. During this challenging time, Magnificat is providing complimentary access to their online version to help people pray from home.
- Check the Annunciation website at www.annunciation.cc for the latest updates on Masses and when the church is open for personal prayer.
- Watch for videos posted on Youtube, Annunciation's channel is Annunciation325.
- Make sure to like and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annunciationelma/
- Many local parishes are live-streaming their daily Masses, I've found a favorite but there are tons out there if you just look. If you want something a little more "polished" you can always check out:
Anyway, this list could go on and on and on. There is a LOT of great and free resources being made available. Hug your family tight and stay safe during this Holy Week. Remember to unite any of our sufferings to Christ and to always give Him glory. He is our source of Hope and He is our Eternal Rock! I miss you all and hope to see you soon. Have a Blessed Holy Week.
Glory to God!
Melissa Weisenburg