A Prayer Amid an Epidemic
By Kerry Weber
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us.
Kerry Weber is an executive editor of America.
Looking for some online inspiration while you are at home? We'd like to share some resources with you!
If you're looking specifically for resources for Lent, click here to be directed to our "Lent" page. We have many links for adults, families and children!
For some general inspiration, check out the links on this page.
App Suggestions to search in the App store then download:
1. Laudate - #1 Catholic App
2. The Word Among Us
3. Reimagining the Examen
4. Sacred Space
5. Loyola Press 3 Minute Retreat
Do you have a favorite website or app suggestion to share with your parish family? Email Lisa Cash at lcash@sainttherese.net.
St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that God always brings good out of evil. That's why The Thomistic Institute has launched live streaming Quarantine Lectures. We'll keep it going until the quarantine is lifted!
Visit https://thomisticinstitute.org/quarantine-lectures to view past lectures and to subscribe to the Quarantine Lectures mailing list. Lectures can be watched live streamed on Facebook, YouTube or Zoom and recordings can be watched later.
Past lectures: Grace and Anxiety, Spiritual Growth in a Time of Turmoil and Plagues, What We Can Learn from the Bible are ready to watch now.
Upcoming Lecture: The Presence of God in a Season of Solitude will livestream Thursday, April 2nd at 8:00pm
Are your Middle School and High School children looking for some inspiration? Visit these pages on our website for some great links!
Middle School
https://sainttherese.net/middle-school-6th-8th-grade
Teens
https://sainttherese.net/teens-9th-12th-grade
We ask for your prayers and patience during the time of this pandemic and national emergency.
Please regularly check NC-DHHS website for the latest information:
https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-response-north-carolina
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/
DO THE FIVE
Help stop coronavirus
HANDS - Wash them often
ELBOW - Cough into it
FACE - Don't touch it
SPACE - Keep safe distance
HOME - Stay if you can
Courtesy World Health Organization
The Diocese of Charlotte has compiled a resource for Coronavirus updates. Click the link below for resources such as the following: