By Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks
This column was published in the March/April 2020 issue of Faith Saginaw Magazine.
Everything has changed.
So many urgent activities that composed our daily lives are now muted. In the midst of this pandemic’s quiet, in which we are sequestered in our homes indefinitely, many people have recognized that the Lord’s voice has become audible.
His words touch our hearts.
“Come to Me,” He says, “All of you who are heavy burdened…”
Replacing Fear with Connection
In times B.C. (before coronavirus) I regularly visited people in hospitals, nursing homes and their own homes. When the ability to do that came to a sudden halt, all of those people became so present to me in prayer.
Fear enters into our hearts when a sudden and abrupt halt is called to all that is familiar and important to us. Those visits were important to me, and to them too, I think. So many of the people whom I visited live alone at home.
The simple thought came to me to pick up my phone and start calling people. I would have never imagined the rich encounters that I have had daily via this simple instrument. The spirituality of each person with whom I speak is deeply touching.
Whenever I make a call, I share with each person our concern and prayers for them, and I ask if there is anything that they need. I tell them about all that is available via live streaming and Internet. Occasionally WNEM TV-5 assists with the broadcasting of Mass and other prayer events, such as Stations of the Cross.
The Diocese of Saginaw has provided many incredible lifelines to so many housebound people through Facebook, YouTube and the diocesan website. I also tell people about times of church openings for private prayer, and times for confession.
The Holy Father has proclaimed many daily opportunities to receive a plenary indulgence, which I share as well.
Speaking heart-to-heart
This personal contact by phone opens beautiful heart-to- heart conversations with people.
Occasionally I have the joy of speaking with married couples together by phone. Wonderful insights are shared.
One couple talked about the apprehension that they felt about the 24/7 togetherness and the concern about pop-up bickering in an indefinite lockdown condition. They commented that they were surprised by their peacefulness together. Then the insight came forth that maybe because they were spending so much time praying together, earlier tensions dissolved.
Another couple talked about their experience of receiving spiritual Communion together daily at a live-streamed Mass from the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, and how beautiful that is for them. Others have talked about close relatives in the Detroit area who have tested positive for the coronavirus.
One person wanted to know why no one had called her to tell her all of these things, to which I responded that I was calling for that purpose. One 96-year-old man who had been a cathedral parishioner his whole life, but had recently moved away to live with a family member, was so happy to hear from his home parish.
Surprises, blessings and rest
To my surprise, many people volunteered to assist in any way that they could. One person offered to be a deliverer of food or other goods any evening that we needed her. Some people have spouses in nursing homes or hospitals, and they can’t go in to see them. One woman has received dinners brought to her at home by thoughtful neighbors. The story doesn’t end.
The immense good that is coming to the fore at every level of life during this difficult and potentially life-threatening time is so clearly the Face of Christ.
— Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks
God is with us, and always has been, even when we were too busy to see Him. He is giving those who are confined a rest from their labors, so that all can hear his voice, and to pray sincerely and deeply for those who are suffering, serving and dying among us.
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Sister Yvonne Mary Loucks, RSM is the pastoral care coordinator at the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw. She is a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma.