Dear families, we are in uncharted territory here. While there aren't strict rules for what ought to be done in our situation of not being able to attend Sunday Mass, I imagine some of you are looking for ideas of how to pray at home. Here are a few simple suggestions.
Watch Mass Online: St. Charles is now live streaming from the Church 24/7! Check back at Mass times (Sunday at 9 am) to follow along with Fr. Ken or Fr. Nick from your home. Click here for Mass Readings.
Set Sundays Aside: For many people right now, like me, it's hard to even keep track of what day it is. Our worlds have been turned upside-down. We're juggling work, school, child-care, family life, concern for our loved ones, and a whole lot of stress and anxiety - and likely having unreasonable expectations of making it all work smoothly right away.
There isn't "one weird trick" that will instantly fix all that. But perhaps if we make Sundays different, we can allow ourselves to breathe a little more and add the peace of God into our lives.
So even though you may have two people's full-time jobs moved into your bedroom (like me!), as much as you are able, set the jobs and the schoolwork aside on Sunday and spend the time praying and being together as a family. That's what we're trying to do here and I suspect that it will help make the rest of the week much better, even when we can't get to Sunday Mass.
Make a Spiritual Communion:
More information and resources (including a Spiritual Communion Coloring Page) here.
Set up a Prayer Table: A prayer table offers a focal point to gather as a family to pray and to be reminded of God's presence. You can use a coffee table or an end table you might already have around. I would suggest a cloth to cover it if you have one, along with a Bible, a statue or religious picture, a candle and a notebook for prayer intentions.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA has some lovely suggestions for preparing a prayer environment at home.
More Ideas: Earlier in the week, Fr. Nick and I had a conversation about praying together as a family even when we aren't able to attend Sunday Mass.
Related Articles:
On the Weirdness of Livestreaming Mass
"However…I’ve come around. When you can’t be present at the real liturgy—when you’re not choosing the screen—it is kind of a wonderful thing to put your Sunday clothes on, gather in the basement, sitting and standing and kneeling when you should and wishing you could receive the Eucharist but knowing that God is not about to withhold His grace from somebody who wants to but can’t."
Watch Mass Online: St. Charles is now live streaming from the Church 24/7! Check back at Mass times (Sunday at 9 am) to follow along with Fr. Ken or Fr. Nick from your home. Click here for Mass Readings.
Set Sundays Aside: For many people right now, like me, it's hard to even keep track of what day it is. Our worlds have been turned upside-down. We're juggling work, school, child-care, family life, concern for our loved ones, and a whole lot of stress and anxiety - and likely having unreasonable expectations of making it all work smoothly right away.
There isn't "one weird trick" that will instantly fix all that. But perhaps if we make Sundays different, we can allow ourselves to breathe a little more and add the peace of God into our lives.
So even though you may have two people's full-time jobs moved into your bedroom (like me!), as much as you are able, set the jobs and the schoolwork aside on Sunday and spend the time praying and being together as a family. That's what we're trying to do here and I suspect that it will help make the rest of the week much better, even when we can't get to Sunday Mass.
Make a Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you have already come and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.Above is St. Alphonsus Liguori's Prayer of Spiritual Communion.
More information and resources (including a Spiritual Communion Coloring Page) here.
Set up a Prayer Table: A prayer table offers a focal point to gather as a family to pray and to be reminded of God's presence. You can use a coffee table or an end table you might already have around. I would suggest a cloth to cover it if you have one, along with a Bible, a statue or religious picture, a candle and a notebook for prayer intentions.
Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA has some lovely suggestions for preparing a prayer environment at home.
More Ideas: Earlier in the week, Fr. Nick and I had a conversation about praying together as a family even when we aren't able to attend Sunday Mass.
Related Articles:
On the Weirdness of Livestreaming Mass
"However…I’ve come around. When you can’t be present at the real liturgy—when you’re not choosing the screen—it is kind of a wonderful thing to put your Sunday clothes on, gather in the basement, sitting and standing and kneeling when you should and wishing you could receive the Eucharist but knowing that God is not about to withhold His grace from somebody who wants to but can’t."
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