june 26 & july 3, 2020 vol. 120 no. 26 & 27...2020/06/26 · june 26 & july 3, 2020...

June 26 & July 3, 2020 Vol. 120 No. 26 & 27

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis leads one of his first large-group meetings sincethe pandemic struck Italy in late February. The pope met with doctors, nursesand health care professionals from the Lombardy region at the Vatican June 20,2020. The Lombardy region in northern Italy suffered the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the country. Story page 8. This (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

SAINT JOHN — Faithful from across the Diocese of SaintJohn gather weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pmto recite the rosary together via Zoom and Facebook Live.This devotion began in response to a request of PopeFrancis for people to pray the rosary for an end to theCoronavirus pandemic. Story page 6. (Natasha Mazerollephoto)

TIJUANA, Mexico — A file photo showsa statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe inTijuana, Mexico,. Pope Francis hasasked Catholics to add "Comfort ofMigrants" and two other titles for Maryto the popular "Litany of Loreto." Storypage 6. (CNS photo/David Maung)

FREDERICTON — Signs at the Healing Walk in Fredericton,June 13. Healing Walks were held across Canada as peoplegathered to honour the lives of two Indigenous people recentlykilled by police in the province of New Brunswick: ChantelMoore and Rodney Levi. Racism in Canada is real. Stories page3. (Joan Green, NB Media Coop photo)

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Race and film: fiction and nonfictionthat gives food for thoughtBy KURT JENSENCatholic News Service

NEW YORK — No motion picture dramahas had the power to change minds the waythe on-video death of George Floyd in thecustody of police in Minneapolis recently did.No fictional feature ever will.

Death on a street, with a police officer'sknee on a man's neck, is the brutal,unvarnished reality that has spurred thousandsof protesters nationwide to march and forcedlegislators to ponder the role of police both asenforcers of the law and participants in alarger society.

With rare exceptions, the business modelof the film industry is based on offering emo-tions, illusions, distraction and comfort forthe largest possible audiences. Movies aboutracial injustice have been around since Holly-wood's beginnings. But while they add pres-tige and the illusion of an industry conscience,they've never been a foundational genre.

In the wake of the death of Floyd on May25 — plus those of Breonna Taylor, the emer-gency room technician killed by police inLouisville, Kentucky, March 13, and AhmaudArbery, the jogger slain in Brunswick, Geor-gia, February 23 — the film industry, like therest of America, is coping with the latest vio-lent evidence of the nation's painful — andfrustratingly enduring — racial divide.

An identical discussion is ongoing aboutreading matter, and which works of nonfic-tion and fiction can help. But that's civilized

and literate. The public conversation aboutmovies — which have had their own uglyhistory with the lack of minority participationon both sides of the camera — is as noisyand sloppy as a family dispute.

That doesn't indicate a lack of sincerity. Itjust means that film distributors, like the restof us, are working out their confusion in realtime and in full view of everyone else.

On June 9, the streaming service HBO Maxannounced that it was pulling Gone With theWind from its rotation until "historical con-text" can be added to the presentation.

That came after John Ridley, the AcademyAward-winning screenwriter of 12 Years ASlave (2013), wrote about the 1939 Civil Wardrama in the Los Angeles Times. He describedit as "a film that, when it is not ignoring thehorrors of slavery, pauses only to perpetuatesome of the most painful stereotypes of peo-ple of colour."

Audiences' search for a soothing way tocope with the Floyd murder brought one oddresult. The top streaming film on Netflix overthe June 5-7 weekend was 2011's The Help,a drama about a white writer who interviewsdomestic workers in the South to bring theirstories about abusive racist employers to thepublic.

There's a satisfying retributive ending to thestory, but the film is no one's idea of an accu-rate commentary on race relations. It's oftencriticized for its "white saviour" plot — andone of its stars, Viola Davis, has since

(continued on page 10)

SELMA, Alabama — Protesters and police officers face off in Selma, Alabama, March7, 1965, in what's come to be know by civil rights activists as Bloody Sunday. Theiconic photo is part of a documentary John Lewis: Good Trouble about the longtimeracial equality activist and member of Congress. (CNS photo/courtesy Magnolia Pictures)

Voice of the Diocese of Saint John since 1900.June 26 & July 3, 2020

Summer publication schedule:The New Freewman has begun its

summer publication schedule.Double issue will be printed as follows:June 26/July 3 August 7/14July 10/17 August 21/28July 24/31Regular weekly issues resume September 4.

Indigenous feel racism’s sting in CanadaBy MICHAEL SWANThe Catholic Register

THUNDER BAY, ON — Deacon MichaelJames Robinson has a lifetime of experiencethat tells him systemic racism is real and it’sembedded in Canadian history and culture.

The reality of racism has a way of hittingIndigenous Canadians hard. Robinson was hitwith it — and a police vehicle — just a cou-ple months after he was ordained in 2015.

“I had a police vehicle charge at me on thestreet because I was wearing my (clerical)shirt and collar,” said Deacon Robinson, re-counting how the vehicle jumped the curbbefore it “clipped me with their mirror.”

The Indigenous deacon and hospital chaplainat Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Cen-tre was then interrogated in a manner that belit-tled him as an Indigenous person and a deacon.

“He (the officer) says, ‘What’s with thecollar, Chief? Is there a new gang in town?’ ”Deacon Robinson recalled.

As a high school student, Deacon Robinsonwas accused of cheating if he did well onexams. In the workforce, he was passed over

for jobs.So he was not surprised last year when

both the Ontario Independent Police ReviewDirector (OIPRD) and the Ontario Civilian Po-lice Commission (OCPC) handed down re-ports detailing examples of overt racism andracial bias among Thunder Bay police.

“Systemically, it does exist,” he said. “Dis-crimination and racism does exist, and sys-tematically it exists within many platforms inour society.”

Deacon Robinson will get no argumentfrom Keewatin-Le Pas Archbishop MurrayChatlain, who represents the Canadian bish-ops on the Guadalupe Circle — a group ofIndigenous Catholics and clergy who promotehealing between Indigenous and non-Indig-enous Catholics.

“There is clearly an uneven playing field,”Archbishop Chatlain said.

Archbishop Chatlain saw that uneven play-ing field in action while he was taking Denelanguage courses at First Nations Universityin Regina. During class one day the fire alarmwent off and everybody ended up on thesidewalk waiting for the fire trucks. Thetrucks pulled to a stop outside the buildingand a firefighter immediately came to Chatlain,asking for details about the alarm.

“Because I was the white guy,” explainedArchbishop Chatlain. “I just thought, ‘Whydid you choose to come to me out of thisgroup?’ There were older people. There werethe professors there. It just brought home thatwe have certain associations that we make

that we’re not even really aware of.”Easy assumptions, racial profiling and bias

that sometimes expresses itself in violence haspoisoned police-Indigenous relations, saidDeacon Robinson.

“I have grandchildren. They’re seven andfive years old. I tell them, ‘You can’t trust thepolice here in the city,’ ” said DeaconRobinson. “We teach them not to talk to thepolice. We teach them to distance. We teachthem they need an adult if the police comearound.”

The only other group of Canadians whoneed to warn their children about police areblack Canadians, the deacon said.

Deacon Robinson doesn’t want white Ca-nadians to feel guilty.

“To bring about awareness of systemic rac-ism is not about making people feel guilty,”he said.

The point is to change the system, he said.“How can we work together? Together to

make a good change. How can we addressit? To address something as big as systemicracism, you have to restructure so many dif-ferent platforms in life. It’s a big task. It’s notgoing to happen in our lifetime.”

It’s not a task the Church can observe fromthe sidelines, said Archbishop Chatlain.

“We’re always called to an option for thepoor. We look to see who are most strickenby poverty, by voicelessness. Then we’recalled to try to bring our voice to that in ahealthy way. That would be our call in thesesituations.”§

Deacon Michael James Robinson

Praying for the end of racismBy MICHAEL SWANThe Catholic Register

SCARBOROUGH, ON — Audrey Johnsonhas seen systemic racism. She’s felt it. And everySunday morning at 7 a.m. sharp she and a smallcircle of black friends meet at church and kneeldown and pray for it to end.

“It’s too bad we don’t hear this preached uponin the pulpit,” said Ms. Johnson, a parishioner at

Prince of Peace Parishin Scarborough, ON.

Trying to correctsystemic racism wasonce Johnson’s job.For two years in themid-1990s she was thediversity officer for vis-ible minorities with theBank of Montreal. Itwas difficult and even-

tually she moved on to other roles in the bank.“At the end of the day, the push-back from


Audrey Johnson


Soon to be beatified, Italian teenager said to offer 'model of sanctity'By JONATHAN LUXMORECatholic News Service

OXFORD, England — Carlo Acutis, a Lon-don-born Italian teenager who used his com-puter skills to foster devotion to the Eucha-rist and will be beatified in October, offers amodel of sanctity for Christians in a new eraof lockdowns, a British Catholic who livedwith his family said.

"What's struck me most is the exceptionalsimplicity of his formula for becoming a saint:attending mass and reciting the rosary daily,confessing weekly and praying before theBlessed Sacrament," said Anna Johnstone, aprofessional singer and longtime friend of theteen's family.

"At a time when new lockdowns couldseparate us from the sacraments, he'd en-courage people to see the rosary as theirdomestic church and find shelter in theheart of the Virgin Mary," Ms. Johnstonetold Catholic News Service.

Mr. Acutis, who died of leukemia in 2006at age 15, will be beatified October 10 inthe Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in As-sisi, Italy. The ceremony had been post-poned from spring 2020 because of thecoronavirus pandemic to allow more youngpeople to attend.

The teenager developed a database andwebsite that chronicle worldwide eucha-ristic miracles.

Ms. Johnstone said Acutis was convinced"good could be achieved through theinternet." She said Catholics worldwide hadfound the information he disseminated"massively affirming" during globalcoronavirus pandemic.

"He would urge young people today toavoid bad aspects of social media and fakenews, and to go to confession if they fellprey to it," said Ms. Johnstone, a Cam-bridge University theology graduate whoalso acted as governess to Acutis' twin sib-lings, born four years after his death.

"But he would also show how the powerof the lay life rests in simple, regular devo-tions. If we're forced to stay home, withchurches closed, we can still find spiritualharbour in Our Lady," she said.

Born in London May 3, 1991, where hisItalian mother and half-English father werestudying and working, Mr. Acutis receivedhis first Holy communion at age 7 after thefamily moved to Milan.

He died October 12, 2006, a year afterusing self-taught skills to create a website,

www.miracolieucaristici.org, which lists morethan 100 eucharistic miracles in 17 languages.

Ms. Johnstone said Mr. Acutis had com-bined the generosity and courtesy of intelli-gent and hard-working parents, which im-bued him with a "sense of purpose and direc-tion."

She added that he was helped by "sympa-thetic influences" from a Polish Catholic nannyand Catholic sisters while in school. She saidshe believed God had been the "direct drivingforce" behind the boy's religious journey,which later brought his agnostic mother,Antonia Salzano, to the faith.

"Children sometimes have very intense re-ligious experiences, which can't be properlyunderstood by others. Though we can't beprivy to what happened, God clearly inter-vened here," said Johnstone, who heads ro-sary groups and exhibitions on the teenager.

His beatification was approved by PopeFrancis February 21 after recognition of amiracle due to his intercession involving the2013 cure of a Brazilian boy.

Ms. Johnstone said the "first big surprise"for Mr. Acutis' family had been the hugeturnout for his funeral, adding that the rec-tor of his Milan parish, Santa Maria dellaSegreta, had realized "something was hap-pening" when he later received calls fromCatholic groups in Brazil and elsewhereasking to "see where Carlo worshipped."

"The family has a new life now, but aredeeply involved in continuing Carlo's work,helping with investigations and facilitatingaccess to relevant resources," said Ms.Johnstone, whose father, a former Anglicanvicar, became a Catholic priest in 1999.

"Although press coverage has stressed Car-lo's role as a computer geek, his greatest fo-cus was on the Eucharist as what he calledhis highway toheaven. Thoughwe can't all beskilled with com-puters, we can allbecome saintseven duringlockdowns, andget to heaven byplacing Jesus atthe heart of ourdaily lives," shetold CNS.

Pope Franciscommended Mr.Acutis as a rolemodel in Christus

Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager who usedhis computer programming skills tospread devotion to the Eucharist, will bebeatified October 10, 2020, the Diocese ofAssisi announced. Mr. Acutis is picturedin an undated photo. (CNS photo/courtesySainthood Cause of Carlo Acutis)

Vivit (Christ Lives), his 2019 exhortation onyoung people, saying the teen offered an ex-ample for those who fall into "self-absorp-tion, isolation and empty pleasure."

"Carlo was well aware the whole appa-ratus of communications, advertising andsocial networking can be used to lull us, tomake us addicted to consumerism," thepope wrote.

"Yet he knew how to use the new commu-nications technology to transmit the Gospel,to communicate values and beauty."§


In Exile

RON ROLHEISER, omi

Our deep failure in charitySaint Eugene de Mazenod, the founder of the Missionary Oblates

of Mary Immaculate, the Religious Congregation to which I belong,left us with these last words as he lay dying: “Among yourselves,charity, charity, charity”. I don’t always live that, though I wish Icould, especially today.

We are in a bitter time. Everywhere there is anger, condemnation ofothers, and bitter disagreement; so much so that today we are simplyunable to have a reasonable discussion on any sensitive political, moral,or doctrinal issue. We demonize each other to the point where anyattempt to actually reason with each other (let alone to reach agree-ment or compromise) mostly just deepens the hostility. If you doubtthis, simply watch the newscasts any evening, read any newspaper,or follow the discussion on most moral and religious questions.

The first thing that is evident is the naked hatred inside our energyand how we tend to justify it on moral and religious grounds. This isour protest: we’re fighting for truth, decency, justice, God, family,church, right dogma, right practice, for Christ himself, so our angerand hatred are justified. Anger is justified, but hatred is an infalliblesign that we are acting in a manner contrary to truth, decency, jus-tice, God, family, church, right dogma, right practice, and Christ. Itwould be hard to argue that this kind of energy issues forth fromGod’s spirit and does not source itself elsewhere.

Looking at Jesus we see that all his energies were directed towardsunity. Jesus never preached hatred, as is clear from the Sermon on theMount, as is illustrated in his great priestly prayer for unity in John’sGospel, and as is evident in his frequent warnings to us to be patient witheach other, to not judge each other and to forgive each other.

But one might object: what about Jesus’ own (seemingly) bitterjudgments? What about him speaking harshly of others? What abouthim losing his temper and using whips to drive the money-changersout of the temple? Indeed, what about his statement: I have come tobring fire to this earth?

These statements are perennially misinterpreted and used falsely to

rationalize our lack of genuine Christianlove. When Jesus says that he has cometo bring fire to this earth and wishes itwere already blazing, the fire he is refer-ring to is not the fire of division but thefire of love. Jesus made a vow of love,not of alienation. His message provokedhateful opposition, but he did not self-define as a cultural or ecclesialwarrior. He preached and incarnated only love, and that sometimessparked its antithesis. (It still does.) He sometimes triggered hatred inpeople, but he never hated in return. Instead, he wept in empathy,understanding that sometimes the message of love and inclusivitytriggers hatred inside of those who for whatever reason at that timecannot fully bear the word love. As well, the incident of him drivingthe money-changers out of the temple, forever falsely cited to justifyour anger and judgment of others, has a very different emphasis andmeaning. His action as he cleanses the temple of the people whowere (legitimately) exchanging Jewish currency for foreign money inorder let foreigners buy what they needed to offer sacrifice, has to dowith him clearing away an obstacle in the way of universal access toGod, not with anger at some particular people.

We frequently ignore the Gospel. Factionalism, tribalism, racism,economic self-interest, historical difference, historical privilege, andfear perennially cause bitter polarization and trigger a hatred that eatsaway at the very fabric of community; and that hatred perenniallyjustifies itself by appealing to some high moral or religious ground.But the Gospel never allows for that. It never lets us bracket charityand it refuses us permission to justify our bitterness on moral andreligious grounds. It calls us to a love, an empathy and a forgivenessthat reach across every divide so as to wish good and do good pre-cisely to those who hate us. And it categorically forbids rationalizinghatred in its name or in the name of truth, justice, or right dogma.

The late Michael J. Buckley, looking at the bitter polarization in ourchurches, suggests that nothing justifies our current bitterness: “Thesad fact stands, however, that it is frequently no great trick to getreligious men and women to turn on one another in some terribleform of condemnation. Wars, even personal wars, are terrible reali-ties, and the most horrible of these are often self-righteously reli-gious. For deceived or split off under the guise of good, under therubrics of orthodoxy or liberality, of community or of personal free-dom, even of holiness itself, factions of men and women can slowlydisintegrate into pettiness or cynicism or hostility or bitterness. In thisway the Christian church becomes divided.”

We need to be careful inside our cultural and religious wars. Thereis never an excuse for lack of fundamental charity.

Oblate Father Ron Rolheiser, theologian, teacher, and award-winningauthor, is President of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX.He can be contacted through his website www.ronrolheiser.com Facebookwww.facebook.com/ronrolheiser §

Father Ron Rolheiser’s column In Exile is sponsored byKennebecasis Valley Community Funeral Home

152 Pettingill Road, Quispamsis506-849-2119 www.KennebecasisFH.com

‘In times of trial,never surrender to despair’By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVESCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — Christians have no need to fear in moments oftrial and adversity because God's grace is more powerful than evil,Pope Francis said.

Like Jesus' suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christians maysometimes feel alone and think that "God himself has abandoned them,"the pope said June 21 before praying the Angelus with pilgrims gath-ered in St. Peter's Square.

"At times one feels this spiritual aridness. We must not be afraid ofit. The Father takes care of us, because we are greatly valued in hiseyes. What is important is the frankness, the courage of our witness,of our witness of faith: 'recognizing Jesus before others' and continu-ing to do good," he said.

The pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Mat-thew, in which Jesus tells his disciples to "not be afraid of those whokill the body but cannot kill the soul."

Among the tangible situations Christians may face, he said, was the"hostility of those who would like to stifle the word of God by



By NATASHA MAZEROLLECorrespondent

SAINT JOHN — As summer approachesand restrictions are lifted, diocesan faithfulcontinue to gather weekly on Wednesday eve-nings to recite the rosary together via Zoomand Facebook Live. This devotion began inresponse to a request of the Holy Father forpeople to pray the rosary for an end to theCoronavirus pandemic. He asked first on theFeast of St. Joseph (March 19) and then againon the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25).In both instances, online rosaries were quicklyorganized and well attended, prompting BishopChristian Riesbeck, CC of the Diocese ofSaint John, to continue this devotion weekly.

“The rosary is the prayer of the humbleand of the saints, who use its mysteries tocontemplate with Mary the life of Jesus, themerciful face of the Father,” Pope Francissaid in his message on March 19. “How weall need to be truly consoled, to feel surroundedby his loving presence!”

A quick glance at the Diocesan Facebookpage reveals just how meaningful this de-votion has been during this time. Peoplefrom all parts of the province have followedalong and left comments of gratitude andprayer requests, particularly for an end tothe pandemic. Others have enjoyed seeingthe faces of people they know, and to prayalong with them. Many of the priests ofthe Diocese of Saint John have also par-ticipated, bringing comfort to their parish-ioners who have missed them during thesedays of isolation. “It is very important topray the rosary daily as Mary’s interces-sion will bring us to Jesus,” says Joanie Marksof Saint John. “We need to call upon God’smercy daily in our lives.”

There is a sense of community that bindsall together during this unique time. “There ishope in our hearts knowing that we are all inthis together and that we love and supportone another even though some of us havenot met,” Paula Dobbelsteyn of Saint Johnshared. “We are unified in our prayers for theHoly Father, those sick and suffering fromCovid-19 and those who have died. We lookforward to praying together each week withothers who desire the same things that wedo. It brings comfort and we feel supportedduring this challenging time.”

People have also been able to get to knowtheir new bishop during this time. “It’s defi-nitely been a blessing during the pandemic,”says Jon Osborne, of Saint John. “It’s allowed

Online rosary offers comfort, community during pandemicBishop Riesbeck to be introduced to his flockand his flock to him, perhaps better than anyother bishop we’ve had. Usually there is aparish tour which can take forever,” Mr.Osborne says. But now, people from all partsof the diocese can sign on every week andpray with their bishop, no matter where theyare.

Parishioners of St. Mark’s in Quispamsisalso offered a daily online rosary to take partin Canada54, a series of six consecutiverosaries offered for the intentions of thenation (hosted by the Marian DevotionalMovement). “For 54 days a group of dedi-cated prayer warriors have stood at the footof the Cross, held Mary’s hand and prayedfor the protection and healing of our coun-try Canada,” Kathy Gaudreau ofQuispamsis said. “This powerful journeyhas lead us through this difficult time withhope, faith and trust in Jesus. I am confidentthe graces from these prayers will be felt formany years to come. All glory to God!”

Remebering Pope Francis’ words as world-wide, people continue to entrust themselvesto Mary’s intercession, hopeful for the daywhen the pandemic will end. “BelovedMother, help us realize that we are all mem-bers of one great family and to recognize thebond that unites us, so that, in a spirit of fra-ternity and solidarity, we can help to alleviatecountless situations of poverty andneed. Make us strong in faith, persevering in

QUISPAMSIS — Parishioners of St.Mark’s in Quispamsis offered a dailyonline rosary to take part in Canada54, aseries of six consecutive rosaries offeredfor the intentions of the nation (hosted bythe Marian Devotional Movement). (L tor) Kathy Gaudreau, Randy Purves, KarenPurves, Father Owen Burns, pastor andWendy Ellis. (Natasha Mazerolle photo)

service, constant in prayer.”The Diocesan Rosary is hosted weekly on

Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm. To partici-pate, visit “Diocese of Saint John” onFacebook.

Natasha Mazerolle is the Saint John Re-gion correspondent for The New Freeman. Shecan be reached at [email protected].§

Pope adds 'Comfort of Migrants,' other Marian titles to litanyThe Catholic News Agency

VATICAN CITY — Among the many titlesunder which Catholics invoke Mary, PopeFrancis has asked them to add "Mother ofMercy," "Mother of Hope" and "Comfort ofMigrants."

Cardinal Robert Sarah, prefect of the Con-gregation for Divine Worship and the Sacra-ments, sent a letter to the presidents of bish-ops' conferences around the world asking thatthe titles be inserted into the "Litany of theBlessed Virgin Mary," more commonly knownas the "Litany of Loreto."

The litany, which begins by invoking God'smercy, then turns to Mary, asking for her prayers.

The Litany of Loreto traces its origins backto the 16th century and already had close to50 titles for Mary with verses like "HolyMother of God, pray for us" and "Queen ofAll Saints, pray for us."

Cardinal Sarah's letter, released June 20 bythe Vatican, said, "The church, which walks

along the pathways of history as a pilgrimtoward the heavenly Jerusalem and enjoysinseparable communion with Christ herspouse and saviour," entrusts itself to the in-tercession of Mary, "who believed in the wordof the Lord."

"We know from the Gospel that the disci-ples of Jesus had, in fact, learned from thevery beginning to praise her as 'blessedamongst women' and to count on her mater-nal intercession," he said.

The titles for referring to and seeking as-sistance from Mary are "innumerable," the car-dinal said, but the pope wanted formally torecognize more of them.

"Mother of Mercy," he said, should follow"Mother of the Church" in the litany, thencomes "Mother of Divine Grace" and the in-sertion of "Mother of Hope."

Further down, after invoking Mary as"Health of the Sick" and as "Refuge of Sin-ners," he said, Catholics should add "Com-fort of Migrants." §


Bishop’s Funeral Home“serving all faiths”

Telephone 458-1885540 Woodstock Rd., Fredericton

By NATASHA MAZEROLLECorrespondent

SAINT JOHN — For Christians around theworld, Alpha is a familiar program. This se-ries of sessions exploring the Christian faithis an effective means of connecting peopleand introducing them to the person of JesusChrist. The onset of Covid-19 however, dras-tically changed the way this program oper-

Alpha embraces challenges and moves onlineates.

Nicky Gumbel, a pioneer of Alpha, spokeabout this at an online conference in April of-fered by Uevangelize (an online communitythat provides resources for missionary disci-ples to share the Gospel of Jesus.) Beforelockdown, a communal meal was key to anyAlpha. “I’ve always said Alpha Online wouldnever work,” Mr. Gumbel said. “You’ve gotto be in the room. It’s about the food, thecommunity.”

For many, a meal is a non-threatening wayto break the ice and meet new people, and forthis very reason Mr. Gumbel was hesitant tobreak from this. However with physical dis-tancing, organizers had to figure how to con-tinue to reach people, particularly in these dayswhen the deepest questions seem to emerge.“We’ve been forced to try because of the cir-cumstances,” Mr. Gumbel said. And from this,Alpha Online was born.

Mr. Gumbel was shocked at the responseto this move. “I could not believe how well itworked,” he said. “I actually believe it workedbetter.” Mr. Gumbel has several theories asto why this is the case. The first is that are allfacing a common enemy in Covid-19. Be-cause of this, he said there is a sense of hu-man solidarity.

Mr. Gumbel also credits the Zoom platformfor helping to create community. “The factthat we do it on Zoom and people’s namesappear on the screen really helps,” he said.“There’s no need for name games or intro-ductions, everyone can see each other’snames and they use them.”

Another benefit is the ease of joining fromhome. “It only takes an hour and a half, peo-ple don’t have to travel to a venue,” Mr.Gumbel said. “It’s really hard for some peo-ple to step over that line. But at home they

SAINT JOHN — Diocese of Saint JohnAlpha leaders include (top to bottom; l tor) Kara Pitre, Natasha Mazerolle, JoelMercer, Valerie MacFarlane, JonOsborne, and Claudine Hatt. With theonset of Covid-19 the way the Alphaprogram operates has drasticallychanged. (Natasha Mazerolle photo)

can come with a cup of coffee and be morerelaxed.”

Responding to questions about how one canpray effectively with people over the Internet,Mr. Gumbel replied, “what I do know is thatyou can pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’ over Zoom,and the Holy Spirit comes. God understandsthat we’re in a time of Coronavirus, he’s notrestricted by distance,” he told viewers. “Be-ing online is not going to stop people fromexperiencing the Holy Spirit.”

Team leaders in Saint John are already find-ing this to be true. “I was excited to see peo-ple on a journey for more to life, and to unitewith people to talk about God,” said JonOsborne. “It was a really great experience,and I look forward to the next few weeks ofjourneying together in faith.”

While he knows that God did not cause apandemic to come upon us, Mr. Gumbel be-lieves the Lord can use it to bring about hisglory in the world. “People are really seekingGod, and I think it’s a moment of extraordi-nary opportunity,” he said. By adapting toaccommodate this new reality, Alpha is ableto reach people in the circumstances of theirlives at this moment, and to be there to helpas they begin to ponder the questions that arisein this time of isolation. “Rather than watch-ing the next thing on Netflix, you can do some-thing to better yourself,” Mr. Gumbel said.

Several Alphas are currently underway inthe Diocese of Saint John, with more plannedfor the fall. Stay tuned to the Diocese of SaintJohn Facebook page for news on upcomingAlphas, or contact [email protected] have your name added to a mailing list.

Natasha Mazerolle is the Saint John Re-gion correspondent for The New Freeman. Shecan be reached at [email protected].§

(continued from page 5)sugarcoating it, by watering it down or bysilencing those who proclaim it."

The physical threat of violence and perse-cution against Jesus' disciples, the pope con-

tinued, is anotherprophecy made byJesus that "is ful-filled in every age."

"It is a painfulreality, but it atteststo the faithfulness ofthe witnesses," hesaid. "How manyChristians are perse-

‘In times of trial, never surrender to despair’cuted even today throughout the world! Theysuffer for the Gospel with love, they are themartyrs of our day. And we can say with cer-tainty that there are more of them than the mar-tyrs of the early times: so many martyrs, merelyfor the fact of being Christians."

Nevertheless, Pope Francis added, thosewho seek to extinguish the Gospel with arro-gance and violence "can do nothing againstthe soul" and one's union with God.

"The only fear that a disciple should have isto lose this divine gift, this closeness to and friend-ship with God, to stop living according to theGospel, thereby experiencing moral death, whichis the effect of sin," the pope said.§


Christians called to intercede for, not condemn, others, pope saysBy JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVESCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — True believers do notcondemn people for their sins or shortcom-ings but intercede on their behalf with Godthrough prayer, Pope Francis said.

Just as Moses implored God's mercy forhis people when they sinned, Christians alsomust act as intermediaries because even "theworst sinners, the wickedest people, the mostcorrupt leaders -- they are children of God,"the pope said June 17 during his weekly gen-eral audience.

"Think of Moses, the intercessor," he said."And when we want to condemn someoneand we become angry inside -- to get angryis good; it can be healthy, but to condemndoes no good -- let us intercede for him orher; it will help us so much."

The pope continued his series of talks onprayer and reflected on Moses' prayer to Godwho was angered at the people of Israel afterthey made and worshipped a golden calf.

When God first called him, Moses was "inhuman terms, a 'failure'" and often doubtedhimself and his calling, the pope said.

"This happens to us, too: when we havedoubts, how can we pray?" he asked. "It is

not easy for us to pray. And it is because of(Moses') weakness, as well as his strength,that we are impressed."

Despite his failings, the pope continued,Moses carries on the mission entrusted to himwhile never ceasing "to maintain close bondsof solidarity with his people, especially in thehour of temptation and sin. He was alwaysattached to his people."

"Despite his privileged status, Moses neverceased to belong to that multitude of the poorin spirit who live by trusting in God," the popesaid. "He is a man of his people."

The pope said that Moses' attachment to hispeople is an example of "the greatness of pas-tors" who, far from being "authoritarian and des-potic," never forget their flock and are mercifulwhen they sin or give in to temptation.

When imploring God's mercy, he added,Moses "does not sell out his people to ad-vance his career," but instead, intercedes forthem and becomes a bridge between God andthe people of Israel.

"What a beautiful example for all pastorswho must be 'bridges,'" the pope said. "Thisis why they are called 'pontifex,' bridges. Pas-tors are the bridges between the people towhom they belong and God to whom theybelong by vocation."

Pandemic showed just how much people need each other, pope says

Pope Francis speaks during his weeklygeneral audience in the library of theApostolic Palace at the Vatican June 17,2020. During the audience, the pope saidthat true believers do not condemnpeople for their sins or shortcomings butintercede on their behalf with Godthrough prayer. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)

"The world lives and thrives thanks to theblessing of the righteous, the prayer formercy, this prayer for mercy that the saint,the righteous, the intercessor, the priest, thebishop, the pope, the layperson — any bap-tized person — incessantly raises up for hu-manity in every place and time in history," thepope said.§

By CINDY WOODENCatholic News Service

VATICAN CITY — During the darkest,most deadly days of the COVID-19 pandemicin northern Italy, medical professionals andvolunteers were "silent artisans of a cultureof closeness and tenderness," a culture thatcannot be allowed to disappear, Pope Francissaid.

In one of his first large-group meetings sincethe pandemic struck Italy in late February,Pope Francis June 20 welcomed to the Vati-can doctors, nurses, paramedics, civil pro-tection volunteers, priests, bishops and civilofficials from Italy's Lombardy region.

The coronavirus struck the region muchharder than any other area of Italy; as of June21, close to 93,000 of the region's residentshad contracted the virus and 16,570 of themhad died. Italy as a whole has had some238,500 cases of COVID-19 and 34,630deaths.

Pope Francis told the group that most Ital-ians had faced the pandemic with "generosityand commitment," but medical personnel trulyled the way, becoming "sure points of refer-

ence" for the sick and for their families whowere not allowed to visit them.

The sick "found in you, health care work-ers, almost members of the family, able tounite professional competence with the kindof attention that includes concrete expres-sions of love," the pope said. "The patientsoften felt like they had 'angels' alongside them,helping them recover their health and, at thesame time, consoling and supporting them andsometimes accompanying them to the thresh-old of their final encounter with the Lord."

"Now is the moment to treasure all of thispositive energy that was invested," the popesaid. "It can and must bear fruit for the presentand the future."

To honour the sacrifices, the suffering andthe death, he said, people must make a com-mitment to continuing the witness of "gener-ous and gratuitous love, which have left anindelible mark on consciences and on the fab-ric of society, teaching how much need thereis for closeness, care and sacrifice to increasefraternity and civil coexistence."

"We can come out of this crisis spirituallyand morally stronger," Pope Francis said."That will depend on the conscience and re-

sponsibility of each one of us. Not alone,though; only together and with the grace ofGod."

"God created us for communion, for fra-ternity, and now more than ever it has beendemonstrated how illusory is the claim ofcounting only on oneself -- it's illusory -- andof making individualism the guiding principleof society," the pope said.

People must be attentive as the pandemicslows because "it's easy to slide, it's easy tofall back into this illusion," he said. "It's easyto forget" that all people need others.

Pope Francis said that although during thelockdown people were not able to attend Massin person, "they did not stop feeling part of acommunity. They prayed alone or with theirfamilies, including through the means of so-cial communication, spiritually united andperceiving the Lord's embrace."

Many priests showed "pastoral zeal" inobeying the rules and regulations put in placeby government officials "to safeguard thehealth of the people," while also finding waysto reach out to their parishioners, phone thesick and lonely, feed the poor and help those



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(continued from page 8)who could not leave their homes.

Their care defeated "some -- few -- 'ado-lescent' expressions against the authorities'measures," he said, apparently referring topriests who complained about or even pub-licly challenged the ban on Masses with thefaithful present, which ended May 18, andmeasures such as requiring masks for thoseattending mass once the lockdown eased.

The priests who did what they could whileobeying safety precautions "were fathers, notadolescents," he said.§

People need each other

(continued from page 3)senior people — I had had enough,” Ms. Johnsonsaid.

Ms. Johnson sees racism in her own Church,a kind of racism white Catholics can’t quite seeor understand. She questions why there seemsto be few black Catholics serving on parish pas-toral and finance councils. The Archdiocese ofToronto is arguably the most multicultural dio-cese in the Catholic world, yet in her experienceblack people seldom are asked to serve, she said.

“Where we are, you’ve got a multitude of dif-ferent faces,” said Johnson. “But there are onlycertain faces you’re seeing on the altar.”

She recalls a priest who approached a groupof older black women chatting after mass. “Oh,what are you doing there? Are you selling drugs?”the priest joked.

Praying for the end of racismMs. Johnson didn’t think it was funny.“What could ever come out of your mouth

with something like that? That’s a stigma on thecommunity,” she said. “How dare you.”

Ms. Johnson’s 7 a.m. prayer group came to-gether in 2012, in the midst of an intense debateabout police carding in Toronto, an avalanche ofguns and gangs stories in the media and painfulawareness of poverty, unemployment and inad-equate housing in Toronto’s black community.

There was no one issue that sparked the prayergroup, just “a cold sober look at the system ingeneral,” she said. “A call to action starts withseeing things…. Once you were seeing all ofthose things, then you are called to action in aprayerful way.”

She’s aware of black families who are fearfulof what might happen if black sons are everstopped by police, and looks back on her strug-gles raising three black children in the Catholicschool system.

Today her son Shaun is a speech pathologistin New York City, her daughter Tanya is a BSc.,university-trained nurse and her daughter Tracya school principal. But Ms. Johnson had to fightto keep her kids from being streamed into thetrades and out of the academic courses that wouldlead to university admission. Shaun particularlywas told by his guidance counsellor he wouldbe better off in the general courses.

“I thought, ‘This ain’t going to happen,’ ” Ms.Johnson said.

She confronted the guidance counsellor, then

confronted her son about slacking off.Growing up a poor, scholarship student at a

private girls’ school in Jamaica, MS. Johnsonnever forgot the value of an education. She ar-rived in Canada a confident young 19-year-oldin 1969 and enrolled in Montreal’s Loyola Col-lege. When she had a family of her own, shemade education a centrepiece.

“My kids never had it easy. They had a toughmother when it came to education,” she said.

As protests in response to the killing ofGeorge Floyd enveloped the globe, the To-ronto Catholic District School Board [TCDSB]was moved to respond.

“Anti-black racism is real. We have to facethe truth that anti-black racism exists in ourcity and in our schools,” said a June 2 state-ment signed by director of education RoryMcGuckin and TCDSB board chair JoeMartino.

The reality of racism goes deeper than ourpolitics, our policing, our economy or our edu-cation system, said MS. Johnson.

“Satan is behind racism,” she said. “I knowhow wicked Satan is. Racism is a spirit. Rac-ism is an evil, wicked spirit.”

Ms. Johnson carries on her spiritual battleagainst racism as one of the principal organizersof the annual St. Josephine Bakhita pilgrimage tothe Martyrs’ Shrine in Midland, ON. This year,COVID-19 has forced the August 15 pilgrimageonline, but Ms. Johnson believes the event willbe as strong as ever.

“When I look at this (waves of protest incities around the world) I’m thinking, ‘But Je-

sus, you are so awesome.’ Theblack faces, the white faces, thebrown people, the different faces— this is what the Lord is after usto do as a Church.” Since St. Josephine Bakhita’scanonization by St. Pope JohnPaul II in 2000, the Church hasimplicitly preached that black livesmatter. In the wake of GeorgeFloyd’s killing, Pope Francis didhis best to make that preachingexplicit. “We cannot close our eyes toany form of racism or exclusion,while pretending to defend the sa-credness of every human life,” hesaid. Ms. Johnson is on the pope’sside.“(Satan) is going to push hisagenda. How do we deal withthat?” Johnson asked. “Prayers.We are people of prayer.” §


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(continued from page 2)disowned her participation.

Another of the film's stars, Bryce DallasHoward, found its sudden new popularity jar-ring. She posted on Facebook: "Stories are agateway to radical empathy and the greatest onesare catalysts for action." She also provided herown list of recommended movies on race, mostof them documentaries.

Other developments were more sensible. Para-mount and Warner Bros. have announced thattwo fact-based films dealing with race will bestreaming free throughout June.

The first is 2014's Selma, a biopic of the Rev-erend Martin Luther King Jr. starring DavidOyelowo. The other, 2019's Just Mercy, is a le-gal drama about inequities in the criminal justicesystem starring Michael B. Jordan and JamieFoxx.

On July 3, Magnolia Pictures will release JohnLewis: Good Trouble, a respectful documentaryabout the civil rights leader and Georgia con-gressman. Lewis observes of current events:"There are forces today trying to take us back toanother time and another dark day."

Mr. Lewis, a veteran of the 1963 March onWashington and a victim of racial violence inSelma, Alabama, in 1965, nonetheless remainsan optimist: "I just keep on believing that we canchange things. That we can make things better."

Film dramas can inspire and educate quite well.2018's Green Book, for instance, which detaileda concert tour taken by a black pianist and hiswhite driver, is especially good at showing ex-amples of the nuanced ways deep-set racial preju-dice worked in the 1960s.

What Mr. Howard calls "catalysts for action"may not produce a change in tenaciously heldattitudes.

Yet dramas and documentaries can continueto be part of a path forward toward understand-ing.

In 2017, filmmaker Yance Ford, whose docu-mentary Strong Island recounted his brother's1992 death at the hands of police, observed toThe New York Times: "Only in America does ittake movies to authenticate reality and not theother way around."

Here are some recommendations:13th (2016): This documentary by Ava

DuVernay (who also directed Selma) exploresthe legacy of slavery, the disenfranchisement ofAfrican Americans during the Jim Crow era andthe continued inequities in incarceration.

Burden (2018): A lot of cursing, sleeveless flan-nel shirts, Ku Klux Klan [KKK] rallies with menin hoods and a villain, Tom Griffin (TomWilkinson) so racist that when he's in a Chineserestaurant, he asks whether they serve dog, makethis South Carolina-set drama a little tough totake.

But writer-director Andrew Heckler tells aspecifically Christian story, based on true expe-riences. The Reverend David Kennedy (ForestWhitaker) takes in Mike Burden (Garrett Hedlund)and his wife, Judy (Andrea Riseborough), whenthey become homeless after Mike relinquisheshis KKK membership. Rev. Kennedy insists onpraying for his enemies.

Mudbound (2017):Set in rural Mississippiin the years just after

World War II and based on the Hillary Jordannovel, director Dee Rees' drama explores the in-terconnections between white and black farm-ing families and the ugly realities of white su-premacy and the practice of sharecropping thatguaranteed income inequality.

Say Her Name: The Life and Death of SandraBland (2018): This HBO documentary about awoman who committed suicide in 2015 in jail— she was dragged from her car during a rou-tine traffic stop — is the rare story about policeviolence visited on black women rather than men.

Ms. Bland was in the habit of making Facebookvideos, and in one, she told friends, "Sandy isgonna speak whenever I see something wrong."Thanks to filmmakers Kate Davis and DavidHeilbroner, she's able to continue to do so evenin death.

Do the Right Thing (1989): Six years beforethe murder acquittal of O.J. Simpson becamethe national Rorschach test for racial perspec-tive, the ending of this Spike Lee drama, set inBrooklyn, New York, achieved the same distinc-tion.

When Mookie (played by Lee) tosses a trashcan through the window of Sal's Pizzeria, whichsets off its destruction, whites and blacks inevi-tably see the scene differently, even though it'swell established by that point that Sal (DannyAiello) is, to put it kindly, racially challenged.

Kurt Jensen is a guest reviewer for Catho-lic News Service.§

Race and film: fiction and nonfiction that gives food for thought

June 28, 2020 Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 Kings 4.8-12a, 14-16This man is a holy man of God.

He can stay here whenever he comes to us.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 89.1-2, 15-16, 17-18 (R. 1a)R. Forever I will sing of your steadfast love, O Lord.

Second Reading: Romans 6.3-4, 8-11We have been buried with Christ Jesus by baptism into

death, so we too might walk in newness of life..

Gospel: Matthew 10.37-42Whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not

worthy of me. Whoever welcomes you welcomes me..

Sunday’s LiturgyNewly updatedwebsite for the

Diocese of SaintJohn: https://www.diocese

ofsaintjohn.org/


OBITUARIES

MELANSON, NORMAN DOUGLAS — Itis with sadness the family of Norman Doug-las Melanson announce his passing at his resi-dence Tucker Hall, Shannex on Thursday,June 4, 2020. Norman was born December28, 1944 in Saint John. Norman is survivedby his aunts Rose (Melanson) Horgan of SaintJohn and Barb (late Abby) Melanson ofQuispamsis, his cousins Elizabeth Horgan(Andrew Cusack) of Saint John, KorrinMelanson Metcalf (Bart) of BC, SuzanneLenihan Bodaly (late Laurence) ofQuispamsis, Elizabeth Bodaly Hatt (Wayne)of Ontario, David (Lona) Stillwell of NovaScotia. Norman is predeceased by his imme-diate family members; Edna, Leonard (RuthAllen Bodaly Melanson), Helena, Alderic,Aurore, Abby, Mike (Alma Evans StillwellMelanson), Jerome Horgan and his cousinsMichael Horgan, Laurence Bodaly, Bobby &Marjorie (Bright) Bodaly.

Arrangements were under the care ofBrenan’s Funeral Home, Saint John. A pri-vate funeral was held to celebrate Norman’slife and he was interred at St. Joseph’s Cem-etery.

McCANN, RONALD JOSEPH — Withheavy hearts, the family of Ronald JosephMcCann of Saint John announce his passing,which occurred on Sunday, June 14, 2020at the Saint John Regional Hospital, after aperiod of failing health. Born December 13,1962 in Boston, he was a son of the lateGordon John and Mary Theresa (Connolly)McCann.Ron attended Dalhousie University andearned a bachelor’s degree in Psychologyand then went on to obtain a Bachelor ofScience degree in Occupational Therapy.His mental health declined shortly thereaf-

ter, leaving him unable to work in his pro-fession. He accepted this with grace anddignity. Ron was a sweet and caring souland a man of great faith and courage de-spite his many health challenges. He car-ried his crosses with a faith so strong andunwavering despite it all. He was an avidvolunteer at Rocmaura Nursing Home anda very proud member of the Knights ofColumbus. He always gave much more thanhe expected in return. In addition to hisfamily, Ron had many friends whom heloved and appreciated so very much. Healso had a great love of pizza which washis one constant yearning while in hospital.He will be missed by so many.

Ron will be remembered by his twin sis-ter, Linda Margaret Johnston (Wayne) ofSaint John; Linda and Wayne’s children,Matthew Thomas Wayne Johnston andJennifer Lynn Johnston (Evan DeVault) ofVictoria, BC; sister-in-law, Donna McCann,and her children: Catherine, Maria, Danielle,John-Paul and Michael (Weronika) and theirchildren Olivia, Clara, and Bernadette, all ofLondon, ON; and many cousins in Saint Johnand the Boston area. Ron was predeceasedby his parents and his brother, David G. C.McCann.

Arrangements were under the care ofBrenan’s Funeral Home, Saint John. A privateMass of Christian Burial was celebrated atHoly Redeemer Parish, Saint John. Intermenttook place at St. Augustine’s Cemetery, West-field.

BENOIT, JOSEPH ‘CLOVIS’ — In his93rd year, Joseph “Clovis” Benoit passedaway peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2020 atthe Saint John Regional Hospital. Clovis wasborn in Tracadie, NB to the late Joseph

Charles andMarie Marthe(McLaughlin)Benoit. Cloviswas the last sur-viving memberof his immediatefamily. He is pre-deceased by hisparents, wifeMary Theresa( M a l o n e y )Benoit, 4 broth-ers; Jonah, Alex-ander, Charlesand William, andsisters Marie

Mabel Losier and Clauthilde McLaughlin.Clovis is survived by many nieces and neph-ews in Saint John and Tracadie-Sheila areas.

Arrangements are under the care of CastleFuneral Home, Saint John. A private familyMass of Christian Burial was held from OurLady of the Assumption Catholic Church,Saint John with interment following in HolyCross Cemetery.

BESHARA, ROBIN LEE — It is with heavyhearts that we announce the unexpected pass-ing of Robin Lee Beshara on Tuesday, June16, 2020. Born September 26, 1977 in SaintJohn, she was the daughter of the late SharonBeshara. Robin will be forever missed by herbeloved daughter, Paige Beshara; and specialcousins: Diane Quinn, Tracy Beshara, and KimBeshara who she loved as if they we her ownsisters. She is also loved and missed by manymore cousins, family, and friends.

Resting at Brenan’s Funeral Home, SaintJohn. A private visitation and funeral was held,and interment took place with her mother inSt. Joseph’s Cemetery.

BARRY, M. RUTH — It is with great sad-ness that the grateful family of Mary RuthBarry (McGuiggan) announces her passingon Thursday, June 18, 2020. Ruth was bornon October 22, 1926, the only child of Leoand Ellen McGuiggan (Mc Cormick). Ruthwas predeceased by her husband Peter onOctober 30, 1990. Ruth is survived by herchildren: Ellen Turnbull (James) of SaintJohn, Mary Jane Barry of Ancaster, Ontario,Colleen Breen of Rothesay, Peter Barry (Ruth)of Quispamsis, Susan Jensen (Mark) of Hali-fax, Cathy McIntyre (Gary) of Sussex, andJoan Hoar (Terry) of Quispamsis; grandchil-dren: Alexandra, Emily, James, Nicholas,Heather, Kimberly, Timothy, Jacob, Jenna,Jillian, Colin, Ashley, Ryan, and seven greatgrandchildren. Ruth has a large extended fam-ily of nephews, nieces, and cousins on theBarry side of the family. She has one remain-ing special cousin of her generation, PaulCostantino of Boston. They shared wonder-ful memories of Mc Cormick's Island as chil-dren.

Arrangements are under the care ofKennebecasis Community Funeral Home,Quispamsis. Due to current health advisoriesa private family Mass of Christian Burial washeld at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church,Rothesay. Interment in St. Joseph’s Cem-etery.§


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Mission finds new ‘Light’By MICHAEL ROMENYouth Speak News SpecialThe Catholic Register

Computer screens and Zoom calls have be-come the new operation zone for the univer-sity student missionary organization CatholicChristian Outreach (CCO).

The organization,which had to cancel its in-ternational missions toBelize, Mexico, New Yorkand Uganda because ofCOVID-19, has turned tothe Internet to continue itswork, launching the Bethe Light virtual ministrycampaign on May 11.

Forty-one of the 50missionaries who signedon for fieldwork heededCCO’s call to evangelizevia online one-on-one andsmall group meetings.

Be the Light accentu-ates outreach and encoun-ter to counteract the iso-lation brought on by so-cial distancing. The goalis to reach 153 people,modelling itself after Pe-ter’s miraculous catch offish in John 21:11.

Eloisa Greenwald, thedirector of campus pro-gramming for the CCO,is pleased with how theCCO’s missionaries arepartaking in a new kind of outreach. She isalso delighted with how the Church as a wholehas responded to COVID-19.

“How do we reach out to those who can’tcome to our churches — that should be ageneral thought, whether it’s COVID or not.There (was) a wake-up (call) for our Churchto go into mission mode.”

Adapting to online ministry was mostly ef-fortless for the student missionaries. In fact,in the early days of the shutdown, the mem-bers of CCO Halifax — students at Dalhousieand Saint Mary’s universities, held their win-ter retreat online. Almost 400 people were inattendance.

“For one day, they gathered very early onin the shutdown, and the retreat happened,”said CCO co-founder André Regnier at theorganization’s Virtual Founders’ Dinner April27. “They were reflecting on God in their lives.

Forty-one of the 50 Catholic Christian Outreach [CCO] missionaries originally slated to complete in-person evangelism in Belize, Mexico, New York or Uganda pivoted to provide online ministry throughCCO’s Be the Light mission. (CCO photo)

Not the fear or confusion of the times, but onthe One who is stable, their rock.”

Chris Keyes, CCO’s vice-president of pro-gramming, credits the way campus leaders re-sponded to COVID-19 by connecting with peersvia social platforms as a propellant behind CCO’sorganizational move to online ministry.

“The pivot was done by the teams on the

ground. We really entrust a lot of authority toour leaders,” said Mr. Keyes.

Ms. Greenwald was one of the pioneers inthe online shift. Using Google’s Design Sprintas a framework — a model for providing tan-gible solutions to critical questions in five days— CCO charted an operational pathway in aCOVID-19 land-scape. The threegoals of this endeav-our were to “gainnew contacts,” “cre-ate moments of en-counter” and “com-mission people to be-come missionary dis-ciples.”

Even with prov-inces slowly re-opening their econo-

mies, university campuses are poised to re-main restricted, with many opting to move toonline education. CCO is preparing for thefall semester by focusing on its core tenets.

“On campuses over the last 31 years, onething we won’t be known for is social dis-tancing. Everything about what we do is re-lational — one on one relationships and small

group relationships,” said Mr. Regnier.Amanda Ho, a Ryerson student and Be the

Light missionary, said she longs to have in-person encounters again.

“One part of our ministry that I love is be-ing around people — being able to pray withsomeone and pray over someone.”§

june 26 & july 3, 2020 vol. 120 no. 26 & 27...2020/06/26 · june 26 & july 3, 2020...

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