It took two weeks of monotony and uncertainty to realize what I really relied on. And in my most recent quarantine, I experienced what millions around the world have been going through since March. And it’s something I pray we can all return to again, in person, to celebrate the ultimate celebration.
After six months of pandemic, it may be tempting to slack off in our diligence, but remember your neighbor and keep wearing a mask!
Eric Immel, SJ, writes: “I spent more time in my room these past nearly six months that I had the previous, say, four years combined. The same is true for the number of times I’ve washed my hands. I’ve high-fived less people in the past nearly six months than was typical for me in a day pre-COVID, and I cannot count the number of times I’ve wanted to yell at people for getting too close to me, which I don’t think I’d ever thought to do before in my life.” Eric takes us on journey of a small world that opens up to something larger than previously thought.
On a bitterly cold Thursday night in February of 2019, I was sitting on the ground hanging out with a group of folks experiencing homelessness down by the Chicago Art Institute. I spent most Thursdays this way, as chaplain to the student-run Labre Homeless ministry. Despite the bitter cold, we laughed a lot. After a particularly icy burst of wind rushed through, one of the men, named Wiz, looked at me and said “Gimme a scarf.” Jake Braithwaite, SJ, offers us a compelling parable about death and resurrection.
My Jesuit community engaged in COVID-19 protocols after Mass on March 16. No more all-community Masses. No more going to school for class. No more ministry. A world of masks and gloves and handwashing. That evening, a friend and I had a conversation thinking through ways we could try to make the most of the indefinite future that came with pandemic.
Sunday Mass is an obligation during normal times, but during the Covid-19 crisis, as Churches open up, we are faced with a decision.
The socioeconomic and political crisis has caused millions of Venezuelans to flee their homeland. Now those migrants are suffering even more acutely amid the coronavirus pandemic. Hear about how the Jesuits in Colombia are responding to this crisis, and learn about how you can get involved.
The MLB is resuming later this month, and it will be a relatively breathless 60-game dash to the World Series.
The coronavirus pandemic has broken our habits of consumption. Now is a time to reassess so that we can create an economy that is healthier for the environment and better serves people’s needs.
Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to conversion, community-building, and creativity, I thought why not create a retreat and make it virtual for those who might also be feeling just as cooped up and restless as me. So, that’s what I and several other Jesuits with whom I live have done. And you can participate in the retreat too!
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