Yet how do you communicate when you can’t meet in
person? It happened last March and it is ongoing.
by Angie Orlando
St. Isidore Ministries have skirted the problem and
continue to meet and communicate. Okay, it’s a little
different but it works. And if you think ZOOM is little
kids with their “Matchbox cars”, think again. Last March
when “in person” stopped not only in our community but
in much of the world, the parishioners leaned into social
media and many of our members learned how to ZOOM.
For some, there was a learning curve, for others, it was just
one more computer program.
CCW The Council of Catholic Women, CCW, couldn’t
stop meeting since they were in the midst of St. Joseph
Table planning, Cookies for Kids, and wrapping up of
fund-raising for the year. The first meeting via computer
was different but the Board managed to figure out how
to continue to provide funds for PADS and Neighborhood
Food Pantries thanks to our generous parishioners. The
General Meeting followed a week later and has continued
each month through the year. Some members do not have
computers but ZOOM allows them to continue to join the
conversations via their phones.
KC The Knights of Columbus, did likewise. Grand Knight
Ken Voelker indicated that they have continued their
Officer Meeting via ZOOM during which they plan for the
next member meeting and their monthly recitation of the
Rosary. They continued to provide support to the Tootsie
Roll Drive and funds for Waterleaf with the virtual Baby
Bottle Drive.
Yet how do you communicate when you can’t meet in
person? It happened last March and it is ongoing.
FAITH FORMATION The Adult Faith Formation Office
ZOOMed Bible Study and fifteen members studied Acts
over the internet. Participants prepare the readings ahead
of the meeting and after a pre-recorded presentation from
Ascension Press, discuss that week’s lesson along with
input from Father Rey. A quick break followed during
summer and the group began meeting again for Bible
Study with a program on Jesus Revealed –Encountering
Christ in His Biblical Names through Catholic Scripture
Study. Films are viewed, then Father Rey Treyes guides
the discussion that follows. The current Thursday evening
Search Program is also meeting via ZOOM.
The Hispanic Community is doing similar Bible Study
Programs via ZOOM according to Adult Formation
Director Leonor Carvajal. They also meet via computer for
Divine Mercy Prayers and a Holy Hour.
RE Vera Zielinski, Director of Religious Ed for K-6 grades,
provided the Sacramental Workshop for Reconciliation in
groups of about 10 and will continue that for First Eucharist
Programs, and the Catechists Workshops at the beginning
of the school year. Current staff meetings are held the same
way.
SCHOOL Our K-8 school has been in session since the
beginning of the school year. They have been using Google
Meets and Microsoft Teams programs that function the
same way as ZOOM.
What happens when a pandemic stops the world? We pray,
ZOOM, and carry on.