The past few months have been very, very difficult. Our entire planet is dealing with and trying to live through a pandemic. It has affected every single part of our society. There has been a lot said and written about essential persons and things. I just want to add a bit to that discussion.

Our faith is essential

 

This pandemic has effected how we cling to God during times of trial. We all know our faith is essential. And even though our church buildings may have been closed to most of us for a time, the Church, at its core, was still open and essential because our faith tells us the people are the Church.

 

The priests of this diocese, the parish staffs, the maintenance workers and volunteers all kept things in place. In most parishes they got creative in their outreach in keeping all of us close to Christ in prayer and practice even without our presence at Mass.

 

And now even more work begins as the parishes open up and maintain an equitable and sanitized presence for all of us as we come back to Mass while still maintaining virtual opportunities for Mass for those vulnerable persons who must stay home.

 

It is essential now to acknowledge that there is no precedent for all that has transpired. Everyone is doing the best they can with the constantly changing information and the ever shifting standard of care. What’s essential now is to participate in suggested best practices and patience. A little extra thanks and kindness helps as well.

 

Information is essential

 

As I have said, this time of pandemic has added more layers to all the work routines of almost everyone. In the information business it has been non-stop. The Observer has tried to keep you up-to-date on all the impacts of this ever-evolving health crisis as well as giving you good faith-filled food for thought as you stay at home. 

 

Sadly, all of the news we’ve had to report wasn’t good. There have been many casualties of the COVID-19 crisis. So many events were cancelled. The first diocesan-wide Mass of Thanksgiving to celebrate the prayer intentions received during the 2019 Annual Appeal was cancelled as was the annual Be Reconciled Day. Holy Week and Easter were celebrated without gatherings. The pandemic compounded problems in two of our parishes forcing the closure of their elementary schools. The Rites of Election, confirmations, first Communions and graduations were all cancelled or postponed. 

 

But, happily, much of our information was inspiring. Catholics feeding others, making masks, making hand sanitizer and making memories were all part of our content. And to allow as many people as possible access to that inspiration through the words of Bishop Malloy, Pope Francis and all our columnists, as well as local news and services from our advertisers, The Observer began offering free online access to all its content.

 

That’s right. The Observer staff has been doing double duty and giving it away. If you haven’t tried our digital paper, visit observertoo@rockorddiocese.org. You can go to all our back issues for several years and binge on Good News. It’s one way we can show you during this difficult time, how essential good, reliable and credible Catholic content can be to your faith life in a pandemic and beyond. A good strong Catholic Press is essential to the life of Catholics and to the universal Church. Happy reading.

You are essential

 

This issue of The Observer is mailed to every Catholic household in the Rockford Diocese so that you may learn more about all the bishop and the diocese make possible through their work. Even through the most difficult and darkest moments, your diocese is working for you, for the priests you love, and for the ministries that benefit you. You are essential to that work. Through your participation and your financial gifts, you help make the Church and its ministries strong, which in turn make a positive impact on local communities. work. Through your participation and your financial gifts, you help make the Church and its ministries strong, which in turn make a positive impact on local communities.