Quick Hits - Lent Journal (23/40)

It's hard to really give much thought to anything other than worldwide efforts to survive right now, so tonight will just be bullet-form again. I'm also wondering about the merits of moving to every other day instead of daily, but I need to pray on it.

• There are few moments that I am glad to work for a supply chain software company, but right now is one of them. Our clients include Publix and Home Depot, and they need all the support they can get to keep inventory.

• So many of us have come out of the first week of social distancing ready to support their local communities. The Atlanta Facebook community has coordinated mask making for local hospitals that will be out of protective equipment in less than two weeks. They need volunteers for every part of this effort: supply donors, sewers, pickup / delivery.

• Last week a group of us started praying a daily Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3pm over video chat. Since then, my girlfriend and I (and her family) have started praying the Angelus at noon, and now my girlfriend is video-hosting a daily rosary at 7:30am. Lots of opportunities for prayer, and lots of need as well, especially in groups.

• I'm so glad to see Church leadership finding so many ways to extend God's mercy. If you aren't Catholic this won't make much sense or may just seem unnecessary, but for those who are:

• Bishops and pastors are being encouraged (where necessary) to grant general absolution to the faithful. To be clear this is not a doctrinal change - however, the practice is not common except in emergency circumstances where individual confession may not be an option. Individual confession is still so much better though; as hard as it can sometimes be to speak my sins to another human person, it's so enriching to and beautiful to hear the words "I absolve you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".

• The Vatican granted a set of plenary indulgences this past week to support the faithful and those who love them. This includes those who are quarantined; those who risk their health and lives in caring for the sick; and those who pray for the end of this pandemic.

• The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal will be streaming a nightly parish mission including Eucharistic adoration, music, prayer, and preaching. There's so much about this I'm excited about.

• Fr. Giuseppe Barardelli died from COVID-19 today - an elderly priest in Italy. He had given his respirator to a younger patient, and as a result become ill. A tragedy, but also a beautiful witness to the love and mercy of God. Fr. Barardelli, pray for us!

• So many opportunities from pastors and bishops for live-streamed Mass - not as entertainment to watch, but as prayer to unite ourselves with and participate in: the source of spiritual life for the Church. Heartfelt homilies, praying for spiritual communion even as physical communion is not currently available.

• My girlfriend and I will be spending tomorrow evening enjoying "company" (from afar) with each other, and COVID-19 will not be a topic of conversation. This, after tonight when we only got to talk for about 30 minutes and the entirety was discussing today's local happenings and what we can do to help.