3 minute read
Despite The Hardships Of COVID, We Remain Connected As A Faith Family
While we have certainly faced hardships and isolation over the past several months, the COVID-19 crisis has proven to unite the faithful — throughout the country and around the world — in powerful ways. As Diocesan Administrator Fr. Donald P. Oleksiak recently wrote, “As we endure this serious situation, we take comfort in the words of Jesus who reminds us in the Gospel of St. Matthew, ‘And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.’”
To always be with us is the promise we have in Jesus Christ. We are here for each other too, during this challenging time, at St. Joseph’s and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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For about five years, Danielle Csanady has worked on our school and parish websites, as well as our Facebook and Twitter profiles. During the church closures in mid-March to late May, she was very busy keeping our website and social media updated with the newest information.
“When we couldn’t attend Mass, I added information on praying Mass at home and all the links for where Mass could be viewed through the diocese and various other places,” Danielle says.
With the Internet being an effective way to keep in touch with parishioners, Danielle found herself making updates multiple times per week during those months.
“In normal times, I would only update once per week with the homily and other information from Father,” Danielle says.
Danielle has kept herself in tune with new ways to reach out by viewing diocesan webinars on website and social media trends. She invites parishioners to register to receive texts and emails through Flocknote by texting “SJPA” to “84576.” Our faith community also utilizes the myParish app, which includes links to the bulletins, readings, homilies, and other valuable information.
As Danielle notes, it is important to communicate with people where they are at, whether that happens to be online or by mail, and she enjoys helping to facilitate that. Her daughter, Emily, currently attends St. Joseph School, and Danielle spends part of her work time at St. Joseph School as a teacher’s aide, technology coordinator and librarian. So, she spent a lot of time coordinating technology when school closed abruptly.
“All of the teachers did a good job adjusting quickly when school closed,” she says.
Danielle is grateful to have the opportunity to send her children to St. Joseph School and she loves working there. She has enjoyed her role in keeping everyone connected during this challenging time.
“When you walk in the door, St. Joseph School feels like home,” she says. “The teachers do such a great job.”
However, as Communications Coordinator Kim Frankart points out, the pandemic has left some parishioners missing direct opportunities for fellowship, since the ministries have not been able to meet for months.
“The Bulk Mailer members are missing being able to gather to serve and share their faith,” she says. “I also have had several Sunday Counters approach me and ask when they will be able to count again.”
Kim says this just shows how important serving the Lord with the gift of time can be. She hopes parishioners will take this time to evaluate other ministries in which they may want to be involved once ministries begin again. It can also be a time for ministry leaders to evaluate their direction and goals. The following ministries are in need of a leader — Vacation Bible School and Sunday Counters at Nativity; and at St. Joseph, Church Environment, Sacristans, Cub Scouts, Eucharistic Ministers to the sick and homebound, Picnic Committee and Bulk Mailers.
