Parish Engagement in a COVID World

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COVID-19 Prayer of Solidarity / U.S. Bishops

The new Parish Engagement in a COVID World website is intended to be an inspiration to those who desire more from parish life during a pandemic, while still following state and county guidelines. In recognizing that not one size fits all in parish engagement, the webpage serves as a catalyst for sharing ideas that can be adapted to fit your parish. Above all, we hope that this website brings you the hope of Jesus, who is always making a way when there seems to be no way, who brings healing to those who are hurting, and who brings victory over death.

A Message of Hope from Abp. Thompson

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson “Our worries about life’s day-to-day problems are understandable. Jesus doesn’t dismiss them. He is moved with pity and responds to our human needs.

"But as St. Paul tells the Romans, and all of us, in Romans 8:35, 37-39, nothing we can think of can ever separate us from the love of Christ. Not COVID-19, not unemployment, not ‘anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword.’

"Nothing in the world, whether spiritual or material, can deny us the nourishment we receive from God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(Archbishop Thompson, Christ the Cornerstone column, July 31, 2020)

How to use this website

We have included a variety of ideas for implementation in the areas of Spiritual Engagement, Community Engagement, Volunteer Engagement, and Financial Engagement, while recognizing that there is overlap between each of those areas. Some ideas are from specific parishes, and each of those has included a contact person for anyone who would like more information on how to bring these ideas home to their own community. Networking and sharing of ideas are highly encouraged!

We also would like to hear from you. Please share how your parish community is “thinking outside of the box” in regard to parish engagement (virtual, in-person or a hybrid approach).

Submit Your Idea Here

Safety Guidelines for Parishes

Please remember, it is essential to adhere to the state and county COVID-19 guidelines for all in-person parish events. Indiana guidelines and Archdiocese of Indianapolis church reopening guidelines.

Learn More

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