Coronavirus Updates for Faith Formation and Confirmation

As I know you are aware the current pandemic threat has greatly affected many of our parish priorities and programs. Likewise, it is challenging the parish calendar, and the celebration of several  key sacraments, for which our families/children have been preparing all year, including Confirmation.   This information is an effort to bring you up-to-date with what we know today.  On Tuesday, March 24th, Bishop Olson advised that all parishes in the Diocese were to follow local directives and move to “Shelter in Place” mode.  As noted on the parish home page (mbs.church), effectively this means:

• There will be no public Masses or sacramental celebrations through Friday, April 3, 2020 (including Confessions).  At that time, the status of the virus’ spread will be reevaluated, and new guidance issued for this area. 
• Monsignor Joe will celebrate a Mass at 10:00AM on Sundays, which will be live-streamed, and accessible via Facebook@MBSArlington. Daily Masses will also be live-streamed every day at 10:00am except for Tuesdays.
• No cars will be allowed on the parish parking lot during Sunday Mass, and no persons (with the exception of the presider, deacon, cantor, etc.) will be allowed in the church.  Everyone must stay at home, or wherever they are sheltered, to prevent transmission of the virus. 
• Holy Communion will not be distributed during this period.   
• All doors to Most Blessed Sacrament parish will be locked.
• The MBS Parish Office will be closed for the duration of the “Shelter In Place” phase, and staff members accessible only via email or messages left with our Parish answering service.  
• All gatherings, meetings, etc. are cancelled for the duration of the shutdown.

 

Regarding Confirmation, fortunately we only had one more session. Since the teens all have their books/videos for Decision Point, I’m asking that they complete the last 4 Chapters in the book on their own. Watch the videos or read the book and Fill out all of the activities and reflection questions. When we return the teens can bring the books to the church and we’ll be reading them to make sure they are completed. I invite you, the parents, to watch the videos and read the books and have a discussion with them about the content.
 
I am anticipating that the Source & Summit Retreat will be either cancelled or postponed.

I am also anticipating that it is very likely that Confirmation will also be postponed on May 6 ^th. Until we have further instructions from Bishop Olson we don’t know the status of that yet. He may give delegation to the Pastors to do Confirmation and if that’s the case then we’ll let you know the date as soon as we can.
 
Regarding Faith Formation:
As a parent, you are the primary catechists for your children.  I know that may seem overwhelming, but we want to provide some resources and ideas to help you.  These are some of the things you can do as a family to stay strong spiritually and to grow in your faith as a family.

1. Pray the rosary either daily or weekly.
2. Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet.
3. Download the Laudate App and read the readings of the day.
4. “Attend” Mass online. MBS will be streaming at 10:00am everday except Tuesdays, from Facebook Page @MBSArlington. Bishop Olson will be streaming Mass at 11:00am on Sundays from www.fwdioc.org or the FWDioc Facebook Page.  There are also options with Word On Fire and Bishop Barron, as well as EWTN. All of these will be offering the prayer for Spiritual Communion. Fr. Josh Johnson is doing a Facebook live video Mass everyday at 8:30 from Baton Rouge. He’s been in some of the videos we have watched in class.
5. Watch a movie on Formed.org
6. Life Teen is offering online sessions every Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm. LFTN.CO/LIFENIGHT This Sunday we will be kicking off the first Life Night of our Anchored series, “Anchored: Holding to Hope.” Our message will be given by Emily Wilson Hussem, and worship will be led by Ike Ndolo. This is an opportunity for you to participate in your teen’s formation by participating and then engaging in a discussion around the session.
7. Reach out to those who are  homebound. www.hometouchministry.com/covid19-resources-for-elderly-homebound
8. Ascension Presents on Facebook and Youtube have a ton of videos that you can search to learn more about our faith.
9. The McGrath Institute at the University of Notre Dame is offering some free self-guided online courses as well as some other resources https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mcgrath.nd.edu_resources_&d=DwIFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=vbE-HzKpgh2677Yqhioc1E8AtnghtKVICxvfDeSd8Bg&m=qx0VKcqJXoKxemJBnOvAq9YytHDcnZmKOsLmJH1Z3vs&s=U9coycV5_4XQwPI3RLrq5SAgcx34np5qx_wncXPiBG0&e
10. The Thomistic Institute is offering a free "Quarantine Lecture Series". You can see the schedule and list of talks that are being offered. https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__thomisticinstitute.org_quarantine-2Dlectures&d=DwIFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=vbE-HzKpgh2677Yqhioc1E8AtnghtKVICxvfDeSd8Bg&m=qx0VKcqJXoKxemJBnOvAq9YytHDcnZmKOsLmJH1Z3vs&s=wleeidOoUSW1II-HCmARYES-dUF5h3m98N_m1_TEzmg&e= -
11. Finally, in case you didn't hear the Holy Father will be offering the Urbi et Orbing blessing (aka the Apostolic Blessing) on Friday at Noon. All Catholics are asked to join in the Body of Christ with the Holy Father and receive a plenary indulgence. You can watch it via the Vatican News website: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.vaticannews.va&d=DwIFAg&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=vbE-HzKpgh2677Yqhioc1E8AtnghtKVICxvfDeSd8Bg&m=qx0VKcqJXoKxemJBnOvAq9YytHDcnZmKOsLmJH1Z3vs&s=HBwqtZDR64G-6cLw9BB1Zd_G6yqK7iBYpGMubQSnKag&e=.<http://www.vaticannews.va./>-

Please know that I am continuing to pray for all of you in these uncertain times. If there’s anything I can do please do not hesitate to contact me.  My cell # for call or text is 817-781-7036. I do have limited access to e-mail at ycrumly@mbs.church.

Yvette Crumly
Director of Youth Formation & Ministry



Parents are encouraged to enroll their children in our Faith Formation program every year that they are in school. This way the students can continue to grow in their faith as they mature throughout their teen years. We offer the following schedule:
 
FAST Lunch
Immediately following the 11:30 Mass, a small lunch is provided for the Youth so they can attend Mass and go right into classes.  FAST Lunch is provided by families or teams of families who bring in or cook in our kitchen a quick meal for the students.  If you are interested in signing up please contact Yvette Crumly at ycrumly@mbs.church.
 
Middle and High School sessions

7th - 8th Grade
Middle School Youth will be participating in EDGE sessions on Sunday afternoons. These sessions are modeled on the Life Teen sessions and involve engaging activities and teaching on topics related to our faith and prayer. 

9th - 12th grade
High School Youth participate in Life Teen sessions on Sunday afternoons.  For those who are in 10th grade or above who are desiring to prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation, they will attend the weekly sessions on Sundays with the High School and there will be additional classes once a month for the Sacrament of Confirmation.  For more information on Confirmation please visit the page here.

11^th and 12^th graders who have been confirmed, young adults and adults are invited and encouraged to participate in Life Teen especially in a leadership role as small group leaders and catechetical assistants.  This group will also be the foundational group for the Confirmation Retreat team.  Please contact Yvette Crumly if you are interested in being a part of this group.

Parents!  We Need You!  We always need help with small group facilitation, chaperoning events, driving to events, etc. All volunteers do need to complete the Safe Environment Training. Contact Linda Hartley at 817-460-2751 for information.