As the coronavirus health crisis continues, many faithful in the eight-county Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and beyond are longing to return to their parish communities for Mass, the sacraments and fellowship. The most recent word from the Catholic Conference of Ohio indicates bishops are hoping to return to publicly celebrated Masses and liturgies Pentecost weekend -- May 30-31.
In the meantime, parishes, schools and organizations continue to be creative in the ways they are finding to stay connected. Here’s another look at how some of those entities are coping with restrictions imposed by the pandemic.
Faces of the faithful – Holy Family Parish, Stow
Priests, deacons and music ministers involved with Masses or liturgies that are livestreamed or taped and broadcast later have been looking at empty churches for nearly two months since public Masses were suspended due to the coronavirus health crisis.
To help feel more connected with parishioners, Deacon John Green at Holy Family Parish in Stow got an idea. “I’m having parishioners send me their photos and I’m printing them up and taping them to the pews so it doesn’t look so empty and those doing the Mass feel a stronger sense of connection,” he said.
The deacon said it took a few weeks, but many parishioners sent photos that he printed and taped to the pews.
Seeing the friendly faces is making a difference when Father Paul Rosing, Holy Family pastor, and parochial vicars Father Michael Denk and Father Andrew Gonzalez celebrate Mass or a liturgy. But they’re hoping that the paper faces will be replaced soon by real parishioners as restrictions on liturgies are relaxed.
Virtual dance – Disability Services, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland
Young people 16 and older with disabilities have looked forward to regular dance parties hosted by Disability Services for more than 30 years. A DJ provides music, there are refreshments and chances for socialization.
But for the past few months, the dances were suspended because of the ongoing health crisis.
However, after some brainstorming and planning, Marilyn Scott, director of Disability Services, and Lauren Mailey, program administrator, announced that the first virtual dance night will take place 7-8 p.m. on May 8 with DJ Kris Koch.
The young people can use Zoom to connect virtually with the DJ and their friends so they can dance in their own homes.
Join the zoom event at ccdocle.zoom.us/j/98768374488 using a computer, tablet or smartphone app or call 646-558-8656. The meeting ID is 987 6837 4488. No password is needed. The Zoom session opens at 7 p.m. and the dance begins at 7:10.
Call 216- 334-2963 for more information.
Campus connection – Newman Campus Ministry, Diocese of Cleveland
When Ohio’s stay-at-home order was issued, Newman campus ministers throughout the eight-county Diocese of Cleveland quickly transitioned their ministries to online formats while students and teachers abandoned their classrooms and switched to distance learning.
Ministers serving at the University of Akron, Ashland University, Baldwin Wallace University, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State University, Oberlin College and the College of Wooster, moved to text, email and social media for communicating with students. Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Facebook Messenger were used for group gatherings, including the weekly Newman Nights.
Woo Catholic at the College of Wooster moved the weekly Holy Grounds Coffee and Conversation from the campus coffee shop to Zoom at 11 a.m. on Thursday mornings. Now participants grab some coffee and sit in front of a computer, tablet or smartphone to join in the sessions.
On March 19, when Pope Francis asked the world to pray the Rosary together, CSU student leader Katie Raddell took to Facebook to livestream the rosary for her fellow students. On Good Friday, students at CWRU gathered on Zoom for the Stations of the Cross led by student Aaron Wise.
And on April 21, CSU Newman hosted an “Ask Us Anything” event during the Zoom Newman Night. Father Vince Hawk, director for Newman Campus Ministry; Joann Piotrkowski, assistant director; Father Bob Marva, CSU Newman chaplain; and Michael Wiitala, Newman advisor, joined the students to answer their questions about faith and Church teachings.
Steve Perry, CWRU campus minister, started producing reflection videos for students. Check out the videos at this link: youtube.com/channel/UCaDnJMIMQVKV8PbLmzF06YQ.
As an end-of-the-year event, the CWRU students gathered on April 28 for a Zoom game night, using an online game company called Jackbox.
Also, Father Hawk and Piotrkowski are planning to livestream a baccalaureate Mass on May 15 for graduates on all seven campuses served by diocesan campus ministry teams.
Traveling services – Light of Hearts Villa
Prayer is an important part of the lives of residents at Light of Hearts Villa, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System, in Bedford. Creative prayer services have become the alternative during these difficult days while liturgical gatherings are on hiatus.
Weekly “traveling services” visit five hallways in the facility where residents sit in their doorways at an appropriate social distance. A small group of liturgical ministers travels with a cart to have brief prayer services based on the Sunday Gospel. The residents, who see themselves as prayer ministers, hold up their families, caregivers, first responders and all affected by COVID-19.
Light of Heart’s chapel, which is decorated for Easter, also is open 24/7 for private prayer by residents and staff.
Livestreamed Latin Mass – Immaculate Conception Parish, Cleveland
Many parishes offer livestreamed Masses/liturgies, prayer services, etc., but it’s rare to find a traditional Latin Mass being livestreamed.
Historic Immaculate Conception Parish in Cleveland streams a daily Latin Mass at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. Saturday and at noon on Sunday.
Visit the parish Facebook page for more information.
Making a difference – Padua Franciscan High school
Dozens of students, parents, alumni and faculty/staff from Padua Franciscan High School in Parma helped transform the lives of hundreds of people by donating to the school’s first collection for St. Herman’s House of Hospitality during this time of need. Together they collected more than 100 protective, homemade masks, 100 notes of hope and 150 boxes of granola bars in April.
Another collection will take place 4-5 p.m. May 13 at the school’s main entrance. Padua is at 6740 State Road, Parma. Plastic collection bins will be in the lobby area. Those bringing items are asked to observe social distancing guidelines.
Everyone in the Padua community is invited to live the Gospel through service opportunities at home. Here are three ways to help:
- Write messages of hope -- Design some handmade cards or index card size messages of faith, hop, and love. The men and women on the streets really appreciate the thoughts, prayers, and good wishes. Make one or as many as you can and seal the entire batch in a zipper-style plastic bag.
- Make/sew face masks -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended that all people, including the poor and vulnerable, wear face coverings to protect themselves from getting or spreading the coronavirus. People are encouraged to research ways to make masks with and without sewing. Again, make one or as many as you can. Each mask should be placed in a sealed zipper-style plastic bag.
- Donate boxes of granola bars – Donations of grab-and-go items like breakfast bars that are easy to distribute to those who are hungry and in need are always needed. One or two boxes or whatever you can give is appreciated.
Donated items will be kept for 72 hours – per CDC guidelines -- before being delivered to St. Herman’s to help the poor and homeless.
‘A Little More’ music – St. Mary Parish, Elyria
Michael Moore, director of music ministries at St. Mary Parish, Elyria, has written many reflection songs during his 31 years at the parish. When the way we worship changed as a result of COVID-19, Donna Humphrey, sister of Father Charlie Diedrick, St. Mary’s pastor, suggested that Moore record a song on the Facebook page for the Elyria Catholic Cluster, which includes the parishes of St. Agnes, St. Jude and St. Mary.
Moore said he thought, “You’re a song-writer, write something new -- something that’s relevant to the current, unprecedented situation.” So he wrote “A Little More,” which is a prayer -- a conversation between God and him, representing all of the faithful.
“It's really a prayer of supplication that God give us what we need to weather this crazy time. I wrote about our uncertainty and I wrote as a sinner who finds himself in ordinary situations where kindness, thoughtfulness, hopefulness and helpfulness go a long way to helping everyone get through what is new territory for us all,” Moore said, adding that he is thankful for the technology available that helps the Church community stay connected.
Since posting his first song, Moore has added two more songs to the page and said he is looking forward to posting more during this stay-at-home time.
Followers of the Elyria Catholic Cluster page also can participate in livestreamed Masses and Liturgy of the Word services.
To listen to Moore’s song, “A Little More,” click here.
Helping the needy – St. Joseph School, Cuyahoga Falls
The St. Joseph Parish and School communities have a desire to serve others and art teacher Jamie Stewart-Copley found a way to connect them with the Labre Program at Walsh Jesuit High School, also in Cuyahoga Falls.
Stewart-Copley and her husband, Curt, volunteer with the Labre program which is continuing its mission of serving the homeless and needy during the coronavirus pandemic. They spearheaded a collection drive for the program, which has served the needy on Monday nights for 700-plus weeks -- more than a dozen years.
“We are continuing with a modified Labre Program at Walsh Jesuit High School and continuing to bring meals, basic supplies, water and friendship to our friends on the streets in Akron,” Stewart-Copley said. They meet at a designated location and maintain a safe distance while serving the needy, who are having a difficult time getting food and water since many churches and schools are closed.
Stewart-Copley coordinated with Carrie DePasquale, St. Joseph School principal, and a group of educators who meet each Sunday – socially distanced – to collect and create care packages and bagged meals that are distributed to those in Akron who are experiencing homelessness. The group plans to continue the mission for the duration of the health crisis.
Stewart-Copley said students at St. Joseph School regularly participate in service days and other service opportunities to create care packages and bagged lunches for the hungry in Akron throughout the year.
Visit saintjoe.org/school for more information.
Adoration from a distance – Our Lady of Victory Parish, Tallmadge
Father Mike Matusz, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Parish in Tallmadge, offers many options for his parishioners who are longing for the opportunity to worship during this health crisis. But he said in addition to livestreaming daily Masses/liturgies/prayers on the parish Facebook page, uploading them to Vimeo and YouTube, he thought they would appreciate an opportunity for Adoration.
Father Matusz said he identified a window that offered a view of the tabernacle from the parish parking lot and he invited the faithful to sit in their cars or to stop by (at an appropriate social distance) and spend some time in the presence of the Lord.
Share your story
Is your parish, school or organization doing something unusual to help others during this health crisis? Send the details, a photo and your contact information by email to ckovach@dioceseofcleveland.org for consideration in a future story