Arise: Restoring Catholic Life after the Pandemic
“He has risen; he is not here; see the place where they laid him.”
– Mark 16:6
The period the lifting of the COVID19 restrictions requires us to be ready to assist people to reintegrate into an active, in person engagement with parish life. Below you will find plentiful resources, guidelines, recommendations and directives for parishes and Archdiocesan institutions for this period. May the Holy Spirit descend upon us and conform our response to the will of Jesus Christ!
Upcoming Events
- January 13; 10-11 AM – Webinar: Archdiocesan Observance of the Year of St. Joseph (Click here to register)
- January 13, 20 and 27; 1-2 PM – For Your Discernment parish evangelization webinar series (Click here for the flyer)
- January 21; 11 AM: Webinar: New Digital Solutions from Your Partners in Ministry at OCP (Click here to register)
- February 4-7 – FOCUS SEEK Conference (Register by Jan 15; Click here to learn more)
Announcements, Updates and Clarifications
- Posted January 6: Now that Governor Wolf’s gathering limits have expired, parishes are free to resume non-liturgical in person ministries/events per the Recommendations for Non-Liturgical Parish Ministries
- Posted December 20: Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines (Español)
- Posted December 11: On Thursday, December 10, 2020, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania issued an Order for Limited Time Mitigation. Both the order from Governor Wolf and Dr. Levine include this stated exception: “Churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and other places of congregate worship are specifically excluded from the limitations set forth above during religious services. These institutions are strongly encouraged to enforce physical distancing and other mitigation measures at their gatherings.” Current Archdiocesan Directives remain fully in effect, both the Directives for Advent and Christmas and Archdiocesan Guidelines for the Application of Safer At Home Restrictions in the City of Philadelphia (links below). These Directives strongly encourage physical distancing and the other mitigating measures to stem the spread of COVID-19 during the celebration of Mass. No parish is to suspend or cancel the public, in person, celebration of Mass on Sundays, Christmas and weekdays.
- Posted November 19: Guidelines for the Application of the Safer at Home Restrictions in the City of Philadelphia
Liturgy and Sacraments: Guidelines, Directives and Resources
Directives for the Open “Green” Phase
- Liturgical Directives for the Open “Green” Phase (dated June 25, 2020)
- Concerning the Sacred Liturgy and the Use of Masks
- Guidelines for the Application of the Safer at Home Restrictions in the City of Philadelphia (dated November 19, 2020)
- Statement Regarding the Application of the Limited Time Mitigation Order (dated December 11, 2020)
Liturgical and Sacramental Resources
- From the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship – Let us return to the Eucharist with joy! (English / Español)
Cultivating Good Habits When Live-Streaming Mass
Check out this terrific article that helps those who are live-streaming Mass at home to participate more fully and fittingly. The tips are a great way to help everyone cultivate good habits – and avoid bad habits – by maintaining a level of reverence and engagement in their approach to the Mass even from home. Please consider following this great advice and sharing it with others!
Important article about fear and our Christian witness
Mass in Times of Pandemic
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has issued new texts for a Mass for Various Needs and Occasions “In Time of Pandemic”. “This Mass can be celebrated, according to the rubrics given for Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, on any day except Solemnities, the Sundays of Advent, Lent, and Easter, days within the Octave of Easter, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day), Ash Wednesday and the days of Holy Week.”
- Click here for the Mass Propers
- Click here for a video recording of the Mass in Times of Pandemic
The Thomistic Institute, COVID19 and the Sacraments
The Thomistic Institute has helped convene a working group of infectious disease experts, medical professionals, scientists, and Catholic theologians who are in the process of developing detailed guide for how Catholic sacraments can be provided in the midst of the current pandemic, in accord with the current standards issued by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
Simple Chant Melody for the “Act of Spiritual Communion” prayer
by Andrew Puntel, Guna Pantele, Reverend Monsignor Michael J. Matz, St. John Neumann Parish
This nonmensural setting of the Liguori text is optionally supported by contemporary Gospel chords suitable for organ, piano, or guitar. The song is appropriate for livestream Masses during social distancing and can become part of one’s prayer life before the Blessed Sacrament or to link the events of the day to reception of the Eucharist at Mass. The musical setting, arrangements, and all video and audio materials have been made freely available for Liturgical broadcast/streaming use in 2020.
CDC Guidelines
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, by the recommendation of the State of Pennsylvania, follows the CDC guidelines for sanitation. For CDC sanitation guidelines, consult these pages:
- CDC Interim Guidance for Communities of Faith: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/faith-based.html (dated May 22, 2020)
- CDC Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/disinfecting-building-facility.html (dated April 14, 2020)
- CDC Guidelines for Those at Higher Risk for Severe Illness: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-at-higher-risk.html (dated May 14, 2020)
From the PA Health Department: Guidance for Children wearing masks
Parish Ministries and Schools: Guidelines and Directives
Guidelines for Non-Liturgical Parish Ministries:
Guidelines for Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Schools:
- Please visit https://aopcatholicschools.org/covid-19-information/
Guidelines for CYO:
- Please see: http://www.cyophilly.com/covidprocedures/
Guidelines for Parish Religious Education Programs (PREP/CCD):
- Please visit http://phillyocf.org/webinars/
Webinars - Past and Upcoming
Upcoming Arise Webinars
- January 13; 10-11 AM – Webinar: Archdiocesan Observance of the Year of St. Joseph (Click here to register)
- Continuing January 13, 20 and 27; 1-2 PM – For Your Discernment parish evangelization webinar series (Click here for the flyer)
- January 21; 11 AM: Webinar: New Digital Solutions from Your Partners in Ministry at OCP (Click here to register)
Past Arise Webinars
- April 22: Introduction to the Arise Initiative (Watch the recording)
- April 30: How to Start an Electronic Communications Plan on Short Notice (Watch the recording)
- May 6: Liturgical Directives as COVID19 Restrictions Lift (Watch the recording)
- May 13: Catholic Leadership Institute’s Parish Consultants Offer (Watch the recording)
- May 27: Practical Logistics for the Restricted “Yellow” Phase (Watch the recording)
- June 3: Liturgical Singing during the Restricted “Yellow” Phase (Watch the recording)
- June 24: Practical Logistics for the Open “Green” Phase (We’re sorry, no recording is available)
- July 29: Updates and Clarifications for the Green Phase and Recommendations for Non-Liturgical Parish Ministry (Watch the recording)
- July 30: An Overview of Moving Forward: Parish Stewardship Renewal (Watch the recording)
- August 18: Guidance for the Celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in Fall 2020 (Watch the recording)
- October 22: Liturgical Directives for Advent and Christmas (Watch the recording)
- November 17: Sacraments for School-Age Children (Watch the recording)
- December 16: Getting Our Bearings in an Ever-Changing COVID Landscape (Watch the recording)
Videos & Podcasts - Inspiration and Information
Inspiration: Returning to Mass Testimonial Videos
The Returning to Mass videos are a compilation of testimonies from local Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholics about their excitement to return to Mass after their prolonged fast from the Eucharist during the COVID19 restrictions. They are designed to inspire confidence and joy in returning to Mass and a sense of “rising from the tomb” with Christ as we emerge from the difficult period of lock down. Archdiocesan parishes and institutions are especially welcome to use these videos as part of their invitation to parishioners to return to church as public Masses resume.
- Returning to Mass Video in English (Captioned): https://vimeo.com/423262781
- Returning to Mass Video in Spanish (Español): https://vimeo.com/423265766
- Returning to Mass Video in Vietnamese: https://vimeo.com/423267574
- Returning to Mass & Instructional Video in American Sign Language: https://vimeo.com/425261211
Information: Returning to Mass Instructional Videos for the Faithful
Many thanks to our friends at Ascension Press for making possible this instructional video for the faithful about the guidelines for returning to the in person celebration of the Mass. Please share this video as widely as possible so that everyone knows what to do when returning to Holy Mass.
- Instructional Video in English (Captioned): https://vimeo.com/showcase/7201957/video/425226684
- Video instructivo en Español: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7201957/video/425467653
- Returning to Mass & Instructional Video in American Sign Language: https://vimeo.com/425261211
Inspiration: Open Doors Video
Get a glimpse of the open doors of our local parishes as we welcome everyone back to the public celebration of the Mass. In this video, pastors and parishioners joyfully announce that the doors are open for Mass once again, culminating with a “welcome home” from Archbishop Pérez! All are welcome to use this short video clip to announce the great news that public Masses have resumed in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia the weekend of June 6 and 7.
- Open Doors video: https://vimeo.com/showcase/7201957/video/425185246
Resurrection & Restoration Video Series
- Watch the series in English:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/english-resurrection - Ver todos los videos en español:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/resurreccion - Watch the series interpreted in American Sign Language:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/asl-resurrection
Resurección y restauración – Serie de videos, del Arzobispo
- Ver todos los videos en español:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/resurreccion - Watch the series in English:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/english-resurrection - Watch the series interpreted in American Sign Language:
https://vimeo.com/showcase/asl-resurrection
Evangelization - Inviting People Home
- Wed, Jan 6 – 1:00-2:00 PM – For Your Discernment Introduction: What Should Parish Evangelization Look Like?
- Wed, Jan 13 – 1:00-2:00 PM – For Your Discernment: ChristLife
- Wed, Jan 20 – 1:00-2:00 PM – For Your Discernment: Evangelical Catholic
- Wed, Jan 27 – 1:00-2:00 PM – For Your Discernment: Catholic Christian Outreach
From the Office for the New Evangelization, Archdiocese of Philadelphia
To share your own ideas or suggestions for helping inactive Catholics reconnect with your parish during the COVID crisis and transition period, send an email to Meghan Cokeley.
Looking for a way to Evangelize Online in a simple yet powerful way? During these unprecedented times of isolation, how can we continue our mission of evangelization amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? Come learn how! Amber Zolc, CCO Consultant for Parish Outreach, with over 17 years of worldwide CCO missionary experience discusses how to lead CCO’s Discovery Series Online based on her own recent experience. Further, CCO is making all Leader Guides and Participant Guides available online for FREE during this time of isolation.
More info:
- CLICK HERE for a 2-minute video
- CLICK HERE for FREE CCO Courseware Online
- CLICK HERE for Amber Zolc’s video, “Leading Discovery Online”
Contact Gina Mesko (gmesko@archphila.org) for more info.
How to Run a ChristLife Evangelization Course Online
The ChristLife evangelization ministry has made their Discovering, Following and Sharing Christ courses available online to enable parishes to continue to draw people into the saving love of Jesus Christ even during the pandemic restrictions. Explore the links below to learn how:
- Recording of the webinar
- Presentation slides used during the webinar
- Access resources for ChristLife Online
- Learn more about the ChristLife evangelization process
- To view the trailer and briefly preview each of the 7 episodes, CLICK HERE.
- For FREE downloadable discussion questions & promotional material, CLICK HERE.
- Click here for the series schedule
Communications and Social Media
Webinar for Parishes
Webinar: How to Set Up an Effective Electronic Communications Plan on Short Notice
This webinar is for parishes that wish to put in place a simple, effective electronic communications plan for their parish, which will enable them to communicate quickly and clearly with their parishioners during the post-pandemic period and beyond. Watch here: Click here to watch this webinar
Webinar handouts and slides:
- Mass Email Communication Slides
- Social Media Slides
- Social Media Toolkit for Parishes from the Office for Communications (coming soon)
- 8 Tips for Parish eCommunications from the Office for the New Evangelization
- List of Parish Consultants – local volunteers who can help your parish get started
- Instructions for Requesting a Grant for a New Parish Communications Account
- Sample Parish Weekly eNewsletter
- First Email to Parishioners Template (When launching your first mass email account)
- Making Your Online Communications Accessible to All (Office for Persons with Disabilities)
Resources for Electronic Communication
Arise Banners for Social Media
- Website and Email – English / Español
- Facebook – English / Español
- Twitter – English / Español
- Instagram – English / Español
FlockNote.com Email and Texting Tool for Parishes
- Website: https://flocknote.com/
- YouTube video: What is FlockNote? Smarter Church Texting and Church Email Newsletters
- FlockNote training videos: Click here for the YouTube Channel
Other Mass Email Communication Tools
Tips and Instructional Videos
- 8 Tips for Parish eCommunications (Office for the New Evangelization)
- Making Your Online Communications Accessible to All (Office for Persons with Disabilities)
- FlockNote training videos: Click here for the FlockNote YouTube Channel
Resources for Restoring Parish Life
Revive Online Training for Parish Leaders
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is grateful to partner with Revive Parishes, an organization that provides online ministry training for parish leaders taught by the best and most experienced Catholic ministry practitioners in the country. Revive provides parish ministry leaders with a way to enrich their own ministry and deepen the ministry skills of fellow staff and volunteers so that they can more effectively care for the people of the parish.
- To learn more, view the course descriptions and start using Revive, visit: archphila.org/revive.
Resources & Online Events for Parishes
- Schedule: Monday through Thursday at 8 PM
- For more details and log-in, visit: http://www.phillyevang.org/rosary
Important Article Concerning Fear and Our Christian Witness: Read the article
Video en español sobre el miedo y la tibieza espiritual
Webinar: How to Set Up an Effective Electronic Communications Plan on Short Notice
This webinar is for parishes that wish to put in place a simple, effective electronic communications plan for their parish, which will enable them to communicate quickly and clearly with their parishioners during the post-pandemic period and beyond. Hosted by the Archdiocesan Office for the New Evangelization and Office for Communications.
- Watch the webinar here: Click here to watch this webinar (Supplementary materials can be found in the Communications section above)
Fundraising and Parish Finances
Parish Support Initiative
The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia has launched the Parish Support Initiative in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia to help meet the needs of parishes who have been directly impacted by coronavirus. We understand that the suspension of public Masses has impacted parish communities in many ways. This initiative enables and encourages individuals to directly support their home parish, or a parish in need, during the pandemic.
Information about this initiative is also being shared by the Archdiocese as part of the live streaming broadcasts of Masses celebrated by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.
Those interested in donating to the Parish Support Initiative should visit SupportMyParish.org, or click here.
Below are additional resources for pastors and parishioners to learn more about the Parish Support Initiative:
Other Resources for Parishes
- Ascension Press Parish Resources
- Villanova Institute for Church Management Resources
- Word on Fire Resources and Interviews: Catholicism Before and After Coronavirus
- Our Sunday Visitor Podcasts “The Day After Tomorrow”
- episode 1 – The Space Between: Social Distancing and Parish Life (36:47)
- episode 2 – Leading into the Unknown (41:18)
- episode 3 – Don’t You, Forget about Me (32:55)
- episode 4 – We Are Family (32:41)
- episode 5 – Celebrate Me Home (42:58)
- episode 6 – Mark My Words: What does it mean to be a Catholic right now (35:00)
- Communio
Communio has developed a COVID Crisis Toolbox for Parishes. It includes digital resources and strategies the parish can easily deploy now over email, text, social media, or video conference.
Resources for Persons with Disabilities and the Deaf Community
- From our Archdiocesan Office for Persons with Disabilities: Helpful Guidance for Use of Face Masks with Children and Information for Persons with Disabilities
Recursos en Español
Video instructivo para el regreso a misa
- Horario: De lunes a jueves a las 8 PM en ingles
- Por el Comité Juvenil Hispano para proveer un lugar de «encuentro virtual» para jóvenes (en edad y en espíritu)
- Volante promocional
- Para conectarse, visite: www.facebook.com/HispanosPhilly
Boletín informativo mensual de la Oficina para Católicos Hispanos, una forma de mantenerse en comunicación con la comunidad arquidiocesana.
Página web donde encontrará informaciones de misas y parroquias que trabajan con la comunidad hispana.
Página de Facebook donde encontrará noticias diarias de la comunidad, así como la misa dominical y otras informaciones.
Otros recursos
- Herramientas para la pastoral en línea
- Recursos para la Oración, Adoración y Misa en el Hogar
- Formación en la Fe
- Recursos para Padres y Familias
- Pastoral Juvenil
- Recursos para Niños
- Recursos para personas con discapacidades y la comunidad sorda.
- Oraciones – Prayers
¿Preguntas? Email a hispanos@archphila.org
Social Services Assistance
Restoring Basic Necessities
ARCHDIOCESAN FOOD ASSISTANCE:
Nutritional Development Services (NDS) and Catholic Social Services (CSS) Family Service Centers support a network of food cupboards throughout the region for those in need, especially during the CCOVID-19 pandemic. Food is available at all cupboards while diapers are only available at CSS sites. NDS is also sponsoring feeding sites for children where parents can go to receive free breakfasts and lunches twice a week for their families. No id is required.
List of food cupboards and feeding sites for individuals, families, the elderly and children:
HOTLINE number for assistance: 215-895-3470
Catholic Housing and Community Services
http://chcsphiladelphia.org
Catholic Housing and Community Services (CHCS) of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is a leading provider of senior living services throughout the Philadelphia region. Its staff provides support for seniors and their loved ones through senior programs. Programs include senior housing, senior centers, older adult care management, in-home support programs, elder care helpline, and senior clubs. CHCS’ services aim to help seniors remain in their community and to live with dignity and the highest quality of life.
Office for Life and Family Grief Support
http://phillycatholiclife.org/marriage-and-family/bereavement-ministry/
The Office for Life and Family offers a listing of resources on grief and loss and maintains a directory of Bereavement ministries active throughout the Archdiocese
Assistance with Addiction
RecoveryandHope.org
RecoveryandHope.org offers a number of ways to find treatment for those suffering from the disease of addiction.
Hope in Christ: Spiritual Support for Addiction
This Archdiocesan website lists Catholic ministries and organizations that offer spiritual support and assistance for those who are struggling with addiction.
Vaccines: Catholic Research and Answers
- Vatican: Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines (Español)
- USCCB: Answers to Key Ethical Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines and Moral Guidance on Vaccines webpage
- Archdiocese: Our Archdiocesan Office for Life and Family has launched a web-page with research and answers to ethical questions concerning COVID-19 vaccines. This page will be continuously updated as more information becomes available. Webpage: http://phillycatholiclife.org/life-affirming-choices-3/covid-19-vaccines-explained/
Resources for Medical Ethics and End of Life Concerns
Bioethics and Life
Bioethics and Life http://phillycatholiclife.org/life-affirming-choices-3/ consists of a team of Bioethics Certified Permanent Deacons that offer pastoral care and counseling to individuals and families facing difficult medical decisions
National Catholic Bioethics Center
The National Catholic Bioethics Center https://ncbcstore.org/ncbc-statement-on-covid19 will soon be releasing ethical guidance on triage policies for access to ventilators in times of pandemic. The free ethical consultation service is fully functional.
Rosary Campaign for an End to the Coronavirus
- Schedule: Monday through Thursday at 8 PM
- Horario: De lunes a jueves a las 8 PM en ingles
Suggested resources for this page may be sent to phillyevang@archphila.org.