SACRED SPACES

My name is Katherine Bernasconi and I am a current sophomore at the Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio). I live in Bethlehem and have been involved in the Albany Diocese for many years. This semester I was studying abroad in Gaming, Austria with Franciscan University, but due to the COVID-19 outbreak, I was sent back home with less than an hour to pack. I had plans to take pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Rome, Assisi, Medjugorje, Poland, and many more religious sites. However, all these doors were shut abruptly in less than 24 hours and I found myself back in my room with no access to the outside world or the sacraments.

Since I returned from European countries on March 17, I was given a mandate of 14 days in quarantine in my room. One of the first things I did upon returning home, was create a sacred space in my room. I included a first-class relic of my confirmation saint, St. Therese of Lisieux, water from Lourdes, a bible and a San Damiano crucifix. I have committed to daily Mass via livestreams on Facebook, meditating with Scripture, praying the rosary, and simple praise and worship with my guitar. It has been very difficult to adjust to this new way of life, especially without the sacraments and communal prayer, but I have found that the Lord still moves, speaks and works even in this time of crisis.

What I have found most helpful is spiritual communions, FaceTime prayer dates, and praise and worship. God is outside space and time so this season has been very fruitful for growing in my devotion to the Eucharist. As much as I miss being able to pray with my school community while physically together, it has been a gift to be able to pray the rosary or talk about Marian Consecration with my friends virtually. And finally, one of my favorite verses is from Daniel, “and if not, He is still good.” I have found that on my hardest and most lonely days, I still have reasons to praise Jesus through music. No matter how long this time lasts, no matter what happens to school, the Lord is still with us and He is still good.

To Jesus Through Mary,
Katherine Bernasconi
Bethlehem

I’m a senior. COVID-19 is especially dangerous to the elderly. Heavy prayer practices melt the misery. My home shrine is centered with a 3-inch Sacred Heart statue with very handsome, soothing features. Flowers multiply the joy. “Pray your petitions through the Sacred Heart and your prayers will be answered.” — St. Margaret Alacoque. St. Leo the Great, the great saint of effective communication, confronted Attila, “the scourge of God,” and won victory.

Rob Curtiss
Schenectady

Our church (St. Michael the Archangel, Troy) has made an effort to reach out to our parishioners in this crisis. The challenge was to make phone calls to every registered parish member/family to let them know we are praying for them, we are a community and we will get through this. We also brought to their attention livestreaming Masses, the ability to help people if they needed any supplies and just a general sense of caring. It became a move to create a care-and-prayer society. There have been so many great stories that have come from these calls and, like most ministries, the giver is the one receiving the blessings. It has been a great evangelizing tool. I have called the 40 people making calls every two weeks, “God’s Phone Squad.” Of course, the acronym is GPS and truly these people have set the wheels in motion to direct our parishioners in the right path. We have over 800 registered families.

Deacon Bob Sweeney
Troy

Just a note on what I have been doing: Prayers to all going to stores to get supplies, toilet paper, water, paper towels, cleaning wipes and food to bring to the homebound of St. Michael’s Church, Cohoes. And to church and family for calling on the elderly daily and going to the farm to feed barn cats and the animals. If anyone needs a ride, I take them; and daily praying for our church and a rosary for our former pastor, Father Peter Tkocz.

Doris Vojnar
Cohoes

I have a telephone number to the White House switchboard. I called 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue because I wanted to leave a message for the President. The line was very busy and the operator said there was an eight-minute wait. I waited but never got through. So I called Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s office and left my message on her answering machine. Hopefully, she will deliver my message to the President. The message is as follows: I wanted to suggest to the President that he include a member of the clergy at his daily coronavirus briefings. When the session is over, the clergyman could offer a general prayer for all the people in the world, not just Americans. The clergyman should be from all faiths and denominations. Let us remember God in our hour of need.

Mary B. McClaine

Member of St. John the Evangelist Church,
Schenectady

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send your stories — and photos — and tell us how you are dealing with living in the time of the coronavirus to [email protected] or at [email protected]. You can also send mail to 40 N. Main Ave., ­Albany, N.Y., 12203, although the Pastoral Center is now closed to visitors. The staff of The Evangelist, however, will be picking up mail at least twice a week.