MEET MONICA AND GORDY KASEL: Embracing Spiritual Insights and Growth During the Pandemic

The time spent under COVID restrictions have meant new opportunities for us to deepen our prayer lives and enrich our faith. Monica and Gordy Kasel of St. Andrew Church have found such opportunities in a time when our situation seemed bleak.

When restrictions set in, an idea occurred to Monica — this would be a good time to read the Bible.

“It would be a good thing to do, as there was never enough time,” she says.

After doing some online research and reading one of our bulletins, she found the Ascension Press Bible in a Year podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz with Jeff Cavins.

“I found it very informative,” she says. “I had never read a lot of the Bible, especially the Old Testament. This was very interesting and enlightening, eye-opening.”

Monica and Gordy also turned to the Holy Family Area Catholic Community prayer intercession team. The team focuses prayer and written support to candidates preparing for Confirmation. Monica chose to pray for their candidate, while Gordy wrote to the young student.

“I pray daily for the young man,” Monica says. “I have been praying the St. Jude Novena for nine days, and some days it’s the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I pray to help a child on this journey and hope he finds blessings in life each day. This has focused my faith life so I can have intentions each day.”

Gordy follows a different path on behalf of the candidate, following their progress in school sports, and writing to support him on his faith journey. When he and Monica travel to their wintering spot in Nevada, Gordy will share their experiences in his letters.

“We have quite a different relationship with church there,” he says. “We have five Masses a week, with three in a casino. For the people in the casino, Mass is an important part for them. We have to wear masks to church now, but sometimes there are 500 to 600 at Mass. They want to be there, and they know Mass is at the casino, and they can continue their Mass attendance. For them, it’s a way to fulfill their obligations. It’s pretty interesting. I try to bring that perspective.”

The couple also found that watching televised Masses during the pandemic offered interesting views into the celebrations around the country. When in-person Masses were opened locally but with limited attendance, those who could attend weekday Masses were asked to do so, to enable those who work during the week to attend weekend Mass.

During the strictest times of COVID, the sacraments were out of reach. Monica and Gordy felt that longing, but now are relieved they can receive them. They also have found joy in seeing friends and feeling the welcome of their home church.

“My concern is that people have become used to watching Mass on TV, and find it ‘easier’ than attending Mass,” Monica says. “I feel bad for that. Not returning to Mass, and not receiving the sacraments in church, I feel bad some have chosen that. I’m hoping it will change.”

However, both Monica and Gordy are hopeful for the future, once all the dangers of the pandemic are in the past.

“Life in church will go back to normal,” Monica says. “That’s my prayer and the hope. If this had happened 25 years ago, we wouldn’t have had online, or TV (Masses). I’m grateful it continues to be there. But I hope it’s not taking the place for some people permanently.”

Gordy and Monica Kasel of St. Andrew Church have embraced opportunities to deepen their prayer lives and enrich their faith in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.