Spiritual Communion Prayer
"When you do not receive Communion and you do not attend Mass, you can make a Spiritual Communion, which is a most beneficial practice; by it the love of God will be greatly impressed on you.
" Saint Teresa of Avila
“My Jesus, I believe that you’re present in the Holy Sacrament. I love You above all else, and I desire You in my soul. As long as I can’t receive You sacramentally, at least enter spiritually into my soul.”
(brief pause to unite oneself with Jesus)
“Since you’ve come, I embrace you and unite my entire self with You; don’t let me ever separate myself from You.”
Diocese of Lincoln Guidelines for Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 4, 2020
Guidelines and Safety Measures for Parishioners During Reopening
As of May 4, 2020, parishes and religious institutions are now permitted by the Governor to gather for the celebration of liturgies while practicing appropriate behaviors for containing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These guidelines are subject to change in the event of new instructions from local or state health officials and the Office of the Bishop.
While the Governor has loosened the restrictions on religious gatherings for worship, there may be DHMs issued by local health departments that are at variance with the statewide directive issued by the Governor. A decision to re-open an individual parish is left to the discretion of the pastor.
Here are the guidelines and safety measures for the Diocese of Lincoln during re-opening:
General Guidelines:
- The dispensation from the Sunday and Holy Day obligation remains in place.
- Gatherings are limited to the Sacred Liturgy, so all forms of public liturgies in churches are permitted.
- All other parish and school activities remain restricted, including after-Mass gatherings such as coffee and rolls, funeral luncheons, wedding receptions, etc. The Bishop has restricted outdoor Mass.
The following are encouraged to stay at home:
- The sick
- The elderly
- People with underlying medical conditions
- Family members who live with elderly people or those who are at risk
- People who have access to those at risk in nursing institutions
- People who have upper respiratory or flu like symptoms
- People who live with someone with upper respiratory or flu like symptoms
- People with COVID-19 or live with someone with COVID-19
- People who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19
Requested “Containment Practices” for those attending Mass:
- Family members sit together
- Sit in every other pew
- Cough in your sleeve
- Place your contribution envelope in the basket provided as you enter or exit the church. The ushers will not “take up the collection” during Mass
- No hand holding during the Our Father
- Sign of Peace is omitted
- Form a single file line with 6-foot intervals when processing forward to receive Holy Communion
- Follow the instructions of the ushers
- Avoid gathering in the vestibule or near the doors of the church following Mass
- If requested, assist with sanitizing the church and other public areas following Mass
- Attend Mass in your home parish
While Masses are suspended, it’s more important than ever to maintain your prayer life!
You will either leave this quarantine a better version of yourself (closer to God, closer to our family, more content in who you are)
…or you won’t.
What will you do during this time?
LECTIO DIVINA
One of the best ways to grow in your faith during this time is to dive into Sacred Scripture through Lectio Divina.
Step 1: Pick a Scripture to pray with. You can choose from the gospels or go to usccb.org to read the gospel for the day.
Step 2: Read the scripture through once and ask yourself, “What stands out to me? A verse? A person? A feeling?”
Step 3: Read the scripture a second time and ask the Holy Spirit, “Why is that what’s standing out to me?”
Step 4: Share or journal what the Holy Spirit tells you.
When you take note of what the Holy Spirit tells you, make sure that you say/write it in terms of “I” and “me” instead of “us” and “we.” The Lord isn’t talking to everyone during this time. He wants to tell you something specifically for you!
Check out our Links page for numerous links to pages to aid you in this!