Trust in God at all times, O people; pour out your heart before the Lord;
God is a refuge for us. – Psalm 62:8
“Do not be afraid.”
No phrase appears in the Scriptures more often than this. The psalms assure us that in every age God has been a refuge for us, a stronghold, a rock of safety, a help in times of trouble. In Deuteronomy (31:6) we hear, “the Lord your God goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
When Jesus was preparing his disciples for his return to the Father, he told them not to be afraid and assured them that he would be with them. The crucified and risen Lord is always with us. His living, dying and rising, and the sending of the Holy Spirit, plant a deep and abiding hope in our hearts and minds. God is with us, God is for us, always.
Even now, as we navigate through the coronavirus, we are encouraged to remember that Our Risen Lord walks with us in every season.
In this time of physical distancing and of social upheaval, Christ remains by our side. And He reminds us of what matters most: God’s love for us, and the possibility of living our lives out of that love, the possibility of letting Christ’s love shine forth to give the world hope, direction, and purpose.
Over the past months, funds from the Archbishop’s Appeal have enabled our archdiocesan ministries to find new ways of reaching out, creatively keeping the flame of faith alive in our communities. Livestreaming of Masses has been the foundation, and added to that has been health chaplaincy, spiritual direction, the Samaritan Project, The Diocese Tonight events, youth ministry, the Archdiocesan Weekly Report, catechetical support and more.
This year, our Archbishop’s Appeal brochure and videos share stories of love and service during the pandemic from across the archdiocese:
A Time for Resilience: New Ways of Reaching Out
“We know that God has a plan – and we believe in His plan.”
In what felt like an instant, the pandemic changed almost everything. Despite not being able to gather as we once could, we continue to be church, and we continue to journey together.
Roger Lepage spoke of the creative ways that the Archdiocese reached out during a difficult time, and added:
“I would say that God has given us a new challenge to reach out to the world, to open the church; because often as Catholics we have the habit of waiting for people to come to us, and now I think we have been pushed to realize that it’s up to us to step out of our usual way of doing things and to reach out to people where they are.
“We must use this occasion here, of current difficulties in the world, to show that on this planet we are all together. We aren’t separate little countries that can set up walls against Covid 19, that doesn’t work; we need to be open to helping each other… There is only one race, the human race, and we need to support each other.“
A Time for Caring: Helping Others During Lockdown
“I see the Archdiocese as a pillar in the midst of the storm”
The Lord calls us to look after each other, to reach out to one another in our needs, to care for each other. Now more than ever, we need to feel God’s care.
Obiora Nweke is a volunteer for The Good Samaritan Project, which is an Archdiocese initiative connecting volunteers to those in need during lockdown. When many were simply not leaving home, this group of dedicated volunteers delivered groceries and ran errands for the elderly and vulnerable in the community.
This initiative is still ongoing, and your ongoing support ensures that the Archdiocese can continue to find new ways to care for those who are most in need.
“The Archdiocese’s work to alleviate suffering is a right step in the right direction.”
A Time for Trusting: Finding God in the Pandemic
“There was the fire of the Spirit in all these people”
Trusting in God is not easy when our normal way of living is completely disrupted. Finding hope in every season has required that we find new ways to proclaim that God is with us.
Rob Schaan is a teacher in the Catholic school system who was looking for ways to continue to uplift his students during this tumultuous time. When he came across The Diocese Tonight, a variety program shared online, he was deeply moved and inspired to share it with his students.
Your support of the Archdiocese helps to support all Catholics – young and old – in their faith, even when we cannot physically be together.
A Time for Envisioning: Future Full of Hope
“The Archdiocese has been a great source of hope.”
God promises us a future full of hope. That same Spirit calls us anew each day to do our part to dream and to build that future.
At the start of the pandemic, Leona Bisch felt worried and isolated. A parishioner of St. Mary’s in Grayson, she felt sadness that Easter Mass would be cancelled. However, she was comforted by the Archdiocese’s efforts to ensure Mass could be attended online, and people could come together regardless.
These efforts uplift her as she envisions what will happen in the future. She knows the future might look different for small-town parishes like hers, but remains hopeful that her community’s faith will be supported through numerous programs funded by the Archdiocese.
“It gives you faith that whatever is going to happen is for the good of the humankind.”
More details about each of these stories will be featured in the videos shown in parishes this Fall. These same videos along with more information about this year’s appeal, and an opportunity to donate can be found online at https://archregina.sk.ca/giving-how-donate/archbishops-appeal.
Now more than ever, we see just how much we need each other, and what a difference these ministries and services make. Will you join me in offering whatever financial support you are able, to ensure that the Appeal can continue to fund the important ministry work needed in our archdiocese?
I ask you to prayerfully consider a donation that would not be burdensome but would express your hope for the future of our church.
I pray that God’s abiding grace will give you daily strength, courage and nourishment, especially through this pandemic season.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
+Donald Bolen
Archbishop of Regina
