“Greatest Cause for Concern”

North American Indigenous Peoples acted faster than other communities on the continent when faced with the novel coronavirus. The majority do not live on reservations, but those who do are older; they have underlying medical conditions; and supplies, including water, are in extremely short supply.

CSM Staff writers, Henry Gass and Sara Miller Llana report on the “‘incredible resilience and flexibility’” of Native populations, once again “‘being revisited by an old enemy,’”—infectious disease.

The coronavirus pandemic is threatening vulnerable Native American communities. Now, they are turning to resilience forged over generations. https://t.co/eqvXrzheuC

— The Christian Science Monitor (@csmonitor) April 30, 2020

Born During Pandemic

A picture of newly born child was tweeted recently. A story about a new born in Nigeria 2 days ago reported mother and child doing well. Another story was different: newborn lived; mother died of Covid-19 6 days later. More stories will emerge about people born as others struggle to live.

During the 14^th-C pandemic births included a saint. Catherine of Siena was born as it flared in Italy. “Her writings can help us to respond more fully to how God might be calling each of us in the midst of the current pandemic,” wrote America senior editor J.D. Long-García. Mr. Long-Garcia sampled some of Catherine's words to savour.

During this time of social isolation, we can wade into St. Catherine’s writings and into dialogue with God. At a time when many of us feel helpless, Catherine can lead us into a deeper union with God, to become friends of God and servants to our neighbors.https://t.co/wTHcncFR8M

— America Magazine (@americamag) April 29, 2020

“Dynamic and Continuous”

From the perspective of staying home routinely the phrase “dynamic and continuous” can feel alien. Staying home avoids contagion—contracting and spreading it. It also invites considering things differently.

The Christian virtue of hope is “dynamic and continuous,”  wrote  Emeritus Pope Benedict in an encyclical letter devoted to hope. Christian hope “makes things happen and is life-changing …The one who has hope lives differently; the one who hopes has been granted the gift of a new life.”

Frances Murphy cited those words and others in her review of the 1997 film, “Life is Beautiful.” Thinking Faith reposted it. It may be worth rewatching to secure a continuing sense of beauty during life in pandemic.

"It is important to know that I can always continue to hope, even if in my own life, or the historical period in which I am living, there seems to be nothing left to hope for." If this is a message you need to hear at the moment, find it on screen: https://t.co/Ur6zJnMBci

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) April 28, 2020

“Causing Angry Strife To Cease”

That line from a hymn extols one virtue of St. Catherine of Siena. She saw the Church divided. “Catherine spent the last two years of her life in Rome, in prayer and pleading on behalf of the cause of Pope Urban VI and the unity of the Church.”

In 2016 before the U.K. vote on the Brexit issue, Thinking Faith posted a contribution centring on today’s saint. It reposted it today, and it sounds a few current themes: care for the sick; “complaint about political leadership”; and “a perspective of service, rather than of self-interest.”

How does the life Catherine of Siena , whose feast is today, suggest ways in which we might think about our political engagement? Toby Lees OP draws some lessons from the 14th century saint for our lives today. https://t.co/iZyoZ3QlSp pic.twitter.com/N64w5I91aV

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) April 29, 2020

Sleep Food

The pandemic has affected sleep patterns. In addition to creating a regular schedule some foods may help, according to treehugger. It updated an earlier version of its post and tweeted it Sunday. 

Oh, elusive sleep! https://t.co/HhPa8MoBVJ

— TreeHugger.com (@TreeHugger) April 28, 2020

Emerge Prudently

The grace of prudence and obedience 🙏 @Pontifex https://t.co/6kcG7BOAcE pic.twitter.com/08pEMxsgaM

— Click To Pray (@clicktoprayapp) April 28, 2020

Human Needs

H

uman needs are found among all people. Also affected are people for whom religious faith plays no role. Humanist, atheist and agnostic spiritual communities are affected equally by the isolation caused by the pandemic. James Croft, a clergy person at the Ethical Society of St. Louis, spoke with Beliefs producer Jay Woodward to learn how his congregation has handled the past several weeks. The conversation began with good introduction to humanistic communities.  

This week on @BeliefsPodcast, producer Jay Woodward sits down with James Croft of the @EthicalStL; don't miss it!https://t.co/JWAXhRfTFG

— Religion News Service (@RNS) April 26, 2020

Pacing Oneself

Virtual meetings require more of us than meeting face to face. The cues that one usually reads from another are not available online. The National Geographic explained “Zoom fatigue” in a recent post. Stay connected and aim to stay in good health.

A surge of video calls during the pandemic highlights something that’s always been true: virtual interactions can be extremely hard on the brain https://t.co/Cj8IlfuZZV

— National Geographic (@NatGeo) April 25, 2020

2 New Prayers for May

Pope Francis last week wrote a brief letter “to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the Rosary at home in the month of May.” To it he added “two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the Rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you.”

With the release of Francis’ letter Vatican News explored how earlier popes also recommended the rosary-prayer.

As #PopeFrancis invites everyone to pray the #Rosary throughout May, we explore the dedication of various Popes through the centuries to this ancient devotion. https://t.co/PcU9NrSnub

— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) April 26, 2020

Act To Become Known by Heart

In 2003 receiving the Eucharist was not hindered as now by the pandemic. That year Pope St. John Paul recalled the origins of spiritual communion:

it is good to cultivate in our hearts a constant desire for the sacrament of the Eucharist. This was the origin of the practice of “spiritual communion”, which has happily been established in the Church for centuries and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life. Saint Teresa of Jesus wrote: “When you do not receive communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a spiritual communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you” (34).

“To cultivate in our hearts” disposes us to welcome the gift of Christ’s presence. Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, referring to those words of his predecessor, recalled that one is never under “an obligation to approach the table of the Eucharist” (55). His words addressed “personal conditions for an ‘active participation’” in the liturgy. Regarding communion the conditions of the pandemic leave only one active-participation option: an act of spiritual communion. Pope Francis has recommended by example.

Here is an Act of Spiritual Communion, for when you cannot physically receive the Eucharist, via @CatholicNewsSvc pic.twitter.com/jJKaBsvQwr

— Jesuit News (@jesuitnews) April 27, 2020

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Later: 2 New Prayers for May

Mapping

Molly Burhans is cartography fluent. She has been mapping properties of the church so the church may administer them more effectively. That increases service to others. She opened a company to do this.

Her work helped the Vatican with a recent document. America Magazine recently chatted with Mary on one of its podcasts. Subject: how location data can help the Vatican’s COVID-19 response.

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Wiki-image Old World map by “Museum | PD-US"

Satisfying Thirst for Travel

Museums have been using the internet for years to make holdings accessible to more people. Virtual visits are more common to more places—not only to museums. Mashable tweeted its top selections of museums and sites that can exercise our imaginations while at home.

You can still travel the world from the comfort, and safety, of your home pic.twitter.com/EXCkZEt9rA

— Mashable (@mashable) April 26, 2020

Sundays With Peter

The second scripture reading on Sundays in the Easter Season this year is from the First Letter of Peter. The letter in the main is a baptismal homily. The season of Easter is baptismal: the church celebrates full initiation into the corporate Body of Christ and everyone's baptism.

At Thinking Faith Jesuit Peter Edmonds considered each Sunday selection from the First Letter of Peter. He offered an important reminder: the letter’s imagery speaks as poetry, which is the language of liturgy. “We listen to Peter…as we read in our exile the letter sent out long ago in his name. …May his words deepen our knowledge about God, about the Lord Jesus Christ and about our own calling as Christians so that we may become better citizens of the Kingdom of God.”

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Wiki-image S. Salvatore in Chora - Nartece - San Pietro2 - Foto G. Dall'Orto 26-5-2006.jpg by “Giovanni Dall'Orto | allows anyone to use it for any purpose, provided that the copyright holder is properly attributed."

Choosing Way Forward

Jesuit John Dardis invites imagining ways of returning to life after the pandemic. Fr. Dardis is the General Counsellor for Discernment and Apostolic Planning in the Society of Jesus.

Signs of the Times

Jesuit Cardinal Michael Czerny noted in the pandemic Catholics and other Christians are “at a sort of ‘crossroads’ – in Greek, krisis.” Choosing one road “feeds on the need for security; its ‘substitute logic’ has us think only about how to adapt to the present annoyances and discomforts, perhaps finding a way to continue doing what we were doing before without contravening the restrictions imposed by the authorities.” The other road embraces “the ‘saving logic’ of the gospel.” It reaches “through uncertainty and grasp a renewed identity and mission as baptised Christians and missionary disciples.”

How do we interpret the signs of these extraordinary times? @jesuitczerny asks whether, in our responses to #coronavirus, we are embracing the ‘saving logic’ of the gospel and all of its opportunities, or resigning ourselves to a ‘substitute logic’. https://t.co/LmN16RiotI pic.twitter.com/2LbcWq7avp

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) April 23, 2020

Speed Not Seen Before

Work on a vaccine for the novel corona virus causing the pandemic began. Sean Doyle is one of 45 in Atlanta and Seattle “testing it for safety.” Dr. Sanjay Gupta explores the trial in the video below. A CNN Health post offered more details about Sean’s role and the “method that’s never be used in humans.”

.@drsanjaygupta explores the search for a vaccine, currently being conducted by scientists at a speed never seen before.

“Anything new will have unknowns and risks,” he says. https://t.co/CDLfp7eVxj pic.twitter.com/GwESqbj0Wf

— CNN (@CNN) April 25, 2020

Updating Earlier Post

The post, Situation Poses Questions, offered an Orthodox wondering about the absence of Eucharist. Director of Evangelization and Adult Formation Michael Bayer offered a Catholic perspective. Mr. Bayer recalled that Eucharistic hunger is the norm for many in the world. Our “hunger [for the Eucharist and the other sacraments] can sometimes reveal an unhealthy and uniquely American form of self-centered exceptionalism.” A grace in our hunger can be learning how “we are being renewed and reformed to be ever more the community of disciples that Jesus envisioned.”

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Wiki-image Saint John Neumann Catholic Church (Sunbury, Ohio) - stained glass, narthex, Sacraments of Baptism & the Eucharist by “Nheyob | CC BY-SA 3.0"

50 Days

The season of Easter provides sustained time to immerse oneself in the mystery of the risen Christ. Noticing the signs begins on a walk, observed Jesuit Brian Strassburger.

What does flying a kite have to do with #Easter? @StrassburgerSJ will tell you with our new mini-series, "Signs of Easter" https://t.co/DeHMKRd50v pic.twitter.com/946z9CBg5V

— The Jesuit Post (@TheJesuitPost) April 24, 2020

Prudent Behaviour

Physical distancing is key to minimizing the impact of COVID-19. Get the facts. #COVID19 #ONpoli

— Ontario Medical Association (@OntariosDoctors) March 27, 2020

Timeless Guide to Living

Earth Day observances need not end. The Lord’s Prayer guides ways to honour the earth daily.

The Our Father: Our Environmental Teacher https://t.co/HQHA9Ke0RZ #EarthDay

— Franciscan Media (@FranciscanMedia) April 22, 2020

Ramadan Mubarak

NETWORK wishes #HappyRamadan to all celebrating. We hope this holy month is joyful, peaceful, and prosperous for you and your families, especially in these challenging times. Ramadan Mubarak! pic.twitter.com/Y2ZYB7f2j9

— NETWORK (@NETWORKLobby) April 23, 2020

Situation Poses Questions

Eucharistic famine: one description of the pandemic keeping people from eucharistic celebrations. The burden is particularly hard for Christians for whom eucharistic liturgy “is the most gracious legacy of [Christ’s] new covenant. On the night he was delivered up to be crucified he left us this gift as a pledge of his abiding presence.” Because liturgy is ritual behaviour its repeated experience shapes hearts and minds to count on it. What does “counting on it” mean? Only to have it?

Does not counting on eucharist mean relying on it to sustain one to embody Christ’s self-sacrificial way in and for the world? During the ease of sharing eucharistic communion do Christians run the risk of missing the ways in which Christ is present to us and with us? Orthodox Fr. Alexis Vinogradov reflected about “communion beyond the eucharist in pandemic time.” Directed to ministers of the eucharist, his reflection affects all the baptized.

“But is communion limited to the Eucharist? And is not the purpose of the Eucharist itself to reveal the very essence and goal of all of life as communion?” https://t.co/bOnhtzJtjw

— Aristotle Papanikolaou (@atpapanik) April 22, 2020

30-Day At-Home Retreat

Jesuit Mark Thibodeaux will be offering the retreat beginning this Saturday. His introduction is the video in this tweet posted by Jesuit Quang Tran.

30-Day-At-Home #Ignatian Retreat starting this Saturday with #Jesuit Fr. Mark Thibodeaux, SJ, author and former Novice Master of @JesuitsUCS Province https://t.co/rLdwdiDixr

— Quang D. Tran, S.J. (@LeMeTellUSumtin) April 22, 2020

Prayer Reminds

Prayer is multifaceted. In addition to intercession that fills much praying these days, prayer reminds. This 4-minute video-prayer recalls how much has been created to support us. It invites remembering and encourages.

Francis and the 50th Anniversary

Pope Francis dedicated is catechesis today to the annual observance of Earth Day:

an occasion for renewing our commitment to love and care for our common home and for the weaker members of our human family. As the tragic coronavirus pandemic has taught us, we can overcome global challenges only by showing solidarity with one another and embracing the most vulnerable in our midst.

America Magazine tweeted more.

On 50th anniversary of Earth Day, Pope Francis calls for ‘ecological conversion’ https://t.co/VZfGkzqTae

— America Magazine (@americamag) April 22, 2020

Prayer and Anxiety

The pandemic causes everyone to feel anxious. Not all anxiety is equal. Some struggle with it in its severest forms. Not wanting them to be without encouragement: an archived post from Thinking Faith. 

Anglican priest Rob Culhane contributed a sensitive, thoughtful first-person account of treatment and his prayer. “I know enough from my professional training to recognise some of the symptoms — and I also know, theologically, that we are not a bundle of discrete and independent parts which compose our humanity, but an integration of soul, spirit, mind and body in a person.” Pass along to another in need of encouragement.

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Wiki-image Young Woman Contemplating by Karin Jonzen by “14GTR | CC BY-SA 4.0"

Earth Day: Begin Online Retreat

On Earth Day begin (or revisit) an audio retreat. “Walking with the Risen Christ–New Creation Retreat” offers daily scripture, reflections and music with a focus on integral ecology.  Offered by the Jesuits in Britain it is 6-weeks (6-days each week) and available at Pathways to God.

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Wiki-image  August 2010 CME SDO Multi-Wavelength by “NASA/SDO/AIA - NASA Image of the Day | PD-US"

Human Ritual Disrupted

Humans need to mourn the passing of significant people in their lives. Mourning well helps survivors negotiate the absence of those who were close to them. The pandemic has upended what “is critical to our emotional wellbeing. Could remote mourning be enough?” asks National Geographic environment writer, Craig Welch.

Gathering together to mark the passing of loved ones is critical to our emotional wellbeing. Could remote mourning be enough? https://t.co/Y1XE2HCQ06

— National Geographic (@NatGeo) April 20, 2020

New Face for Church

Creative styles and leadership helping now. Continuing them is important for the future.

While church lockdowns remain the norm, parish management and ministry professionals say now is the time for parishes and dioceses to find ways to creatively keep the faithful engaged when the weekslong coronavirus hibernation ends. #covid #churches https://t.co/n1zEbevbP0

— Florida Catholic (@FloridaCatholic) April 20, 2020

More Resources

The Jesuits of Britain have "have put together some of our resources so that you can find ways to be near Jesus and pray with others around the world at this difficult time.”

In this time of crisis we are asked to spend more time at home and are not able to get to church. On Pathways to God you will find a collection of resources and ideas to help you be near Jesus and pray with others around the world at this difficult time. https://t.co/i6Y4d8fxLU pic.twitter.com/7wYwalnY1p

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) April 20, 2020

Seasonal? As Yet Unknown

The Southern Hemisphere is preparing to enter winter. The question is posed: is the virus that caused the pandemic seasonal? Jill Langlois noted in The National Geographic:

Seasonality is hard to determine with germs, in part because there are no genetic signals for this trait. Also, this coronavirus strain, known officially as SARS-CoV-2, is so new that there’s not yet enough data to say anything conclusive.

In addition “by vaccinating as many people as possible against influenza, medical professionals hope they’ll be able to more quickly identify coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in patients who have symptoms common to both viruses.”

Is the coronavirus seasonal? That’s still unknown—but a grave concern for Brazil, with the Southern Hemisphere’s worst coronavirus toll https://t.co/cj0cY2xR4Q

— National Geographic (@NatGeo) April 20, 2020

One Physician’s View

One pathology lab “retrofitted testing equipment” so results will no longer take too long to diagnose Covid-19. Dr. Brad Bemiss spoke about one case in which testing was slow. He also shared his overall perspective: “Bemiss is buoyed by his belief in the importance of humanity—a value that was reinforced by his Xavier [University] education.

Xavier on the front lines of COVID-19: Dr. Brad Bemiss ('04)

“Xavier taught me every person is a unique individual, and that can’t be lost in this pandemic... if I can be of use to these patients and this hospital, then that’s why I did this.”

MORE: https://t.co/oWC7IPkrk3 pic.twitter.com/tuboGv2fMM

— Xavier University (@XavierU) April 14, 2020

Past Experience Offers Insight on “Unique” Situation

CSM Staff writer Mark Trumbull wrote near the end of March, “The United States has been through both pandemics and recessions before. But while they offer some insights into what the coronavirus is doing to the economy, the current situation is unique.”

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Wiki-image …picture of a closed sign… by “JamesAlan1986 at English Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 3.0"

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

Prayers…

Our prayers are with the victims and all those affected by the tragic events that took place in #Portapique, Nova Scotia this past weekend. May those lost rest in the peace of Christ and may their loved ones find great consolation in this difficult time. #NovaScotiaStrong pic.twitter.com/gUz43v2yNM

— Diocese of Hamilton (@DioceseHamilton) April 20, 2020

Network of Listeners

The Jesuit Province of Canada recently launched “Talk to a Friend.” It is a network of listeners (French and English and a few other languages) from across the various Jesuit apostolates. The initiative seeks to accompany “people who are suffering because of” the pandemic. Following the link leads to detailed information and how to use “Talk to a Friend.”

Emotion, Urgency, Hope

Jesuit Greg Kennedy’s recent book was released before the pandemic changed our lifestyles: Reupholstered Psalms: Ancient Songs Sung New. It is “a magnificently illustrated book which is, as the title explains, a version of the Psalms adapted for today’s readers to give them hope.” Greg explained more in an interview.

Container Facilities Could Help

Every hospital risks being overwhelmed in treating Covid-19 patients. Yet some regions have very small hospitals or none. Adapting shipping containers could help.

Valuable Four Minutes

Emotions are very much alive these days. Many people and activities distract from feeling emotions—until, like CNN’s Brian Stelter, one “hits a wall.”

We all need to watch this from @brianstelter . I picked up some routes from @amazon to help out. And through one of those routes the tears were flowing the entire time. Out of nowhere. It’s OK to not be OK right now. https://t.co/cIevELqw14

— Michael Castner (@MichaelCastner) April 19, 2020

This has spiritual dimensions, too. This post on Physical Senses and Prayer can be a companion to Mr. Stelter’s video.

Bright Side of Things

Focus on the bright side: it’s important to be reminded of all the encouraging developments happening around the world.

— MaRS (@MaRSDD) April 18, 2020

Χριστός Ανέστη!

The Greek Orthodox Easter Hymn

Sung the world over in several languages. This Greek version was sung clearly.

Christós anésti ek nekrón,

Christ is risen from the dead

thanáto thánaton patísas,

Trampling death by dying,

ké tís en tís mnímasi,

And on those in the tombs

zoín charisámenos!

Bestowing life!

Thomas: Not A Doubter More Than Contemporary Folk

Thomas figures large in the Easter Octave gospel selection. He may be less of a doubter than his inherited moniker suggests. We may be more his twin siblings than we may admit. Thinking Faith drew from its archives a reflection Jesuit Harry Elias wrote when he worked with detained immigrants.

Faith needs to be mediated through the senses, it can be aroused and encouraged by what is seen, touched and heard; but it cannot be reduced to sensory experience. …Central to Thomas’s and our faith in the resurrection is not so much that there is life after death in a risen body, but that Jesus is vindicated as Lord and God.

#DoubtingThomas and faith in the #resurrection: https://t.co/hFctFM3aUE #gospel #Easter

— Thinking Faith (@ThinkingFaith) April 18, 2020

Holy Saturday Among Orthodox Churches

The Easter Vigil has been celebrated in other parts of the Orthodox world. It will be celebrated in North America later tonight. Aristotle Papanikolaou tweeted about divine suffering and the Corona virus pandemic.

“Public Orthodoxy” is a publication of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center of Fordham University.

“Christ bestows his life at the price of his death on the Cross; but this death, or any disease leading to death, such as the coronavirus, does not have the final word.”https://t.co/w3sFSGsI8j

— Aristotle Papanikolaou (@atpapanik) April 18, 2020

Earth Day: Golden Anniversary on 22 April

Meet Jenny Mottar, Art Director for NASA Science. Jenny explains her inspiration for this year’s Earth Day Poster. The video in the tweet contains links for more activities.

A puzzle for our 2020 #EarthDay poster, which uses a variety of @NASAEarth satellite images. Can you find where each image is located in the artwork? Check back later today for answers!

Download a printable poster to decorate your space: https://t.co/jwX2sMqohS #EarthDayatHome pic.twitter.com/CGAAT6Eiub

— NASA (@NASA) April 18, 2020

Awake and Asleep

Pantries are yielding their holdings for creative cooks at home. Keep? Toss? Check the date? J. Kenji López-Alt explains that, “Expiration dates are not expiration dates.“ Read more about the voluntary food dating, and how age affects foods.

In addition to the above NYT link via The National Geographic read about how the sleep of some people these days teems with “vivid, unusual dreams.” “Researchers explain why withdrawal from our usual environments—due to social distancing—has left dreamers with a dearth of ‘inspiration.’”

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Wiki-image Yellow column by “Arntor | CC BY-SA 4.0"

The Other Liturgy

The pandemic has closed usual spiritual activities for many. It also has opened others. One person reported recently praying the Liturgy of the Hours. It sanctifies times through the day. It seems a welcome discovery. Perhaps more are discovering it. This Jesuit Post tweet is informative.

“God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.” Before gathering for Mass on a screen this Sunday, why not start by celebrating liturgy together, in person, with no screens, using the Liturgy of the Hours? https://t.co/Xf0lNbxmOn#Breviary @StrassburgerSJ pic.twitter.com/tFVXdGJDZx

— The Jesuit Post (@TheJesuitPost) April 18, 2020

Correct Again

Albert Einstein’s theories predicted many things. Over the course of years discoveries in the universe have often proven him correct. Behavior of a distant star has proved Einstein correct again.

Chile’s astronomers discovered a star ‘dancing’ around a black hole in the Milky Way just as Albert Einstein might have predicted more than a century ago https://t.co/F2FrD4PTvj pic.twitter.com/ie8e2A2cdg

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 17, 2020