Coronavirus and the New Evangelization

Almost 30 years ago, St. John Paul II recognized the impact of the media on society, especially on future generations. While the Church has definitely started using the media as a tool over the last 30 years, it still seems to be behind the rest of the world when it comes to impacting culture through the media.

I don't even know how many times I've tried to look up Mass times or find out what's going on at a parish, only to find out that they don't even have a website. Take it a step further, and even fewer parishes extend their outreach to social media platforms, which seem to influence youth and young adults more than anything else can.

Until the coronavirus hit. Life in the U.S. has changed drastically in the last seven days. Exactly one week ago, a group of 100 teens and 20 leaders from our parish traveled up to Big Bear for a Confirmation retreat. The threat to San Bernardino County was "very low", according to the county's website, and there had been no reported cases in the county. Gatherings were limited to 250 people or less, which our retreat definitely was.

As soon as we came back down the mountain, though, there were reports of the first case in the county - right here in Fontana, actually. Gatherings were limited to 50 people or less, only to be decreased to 10 people or less the next day. It only spiraled from there. During that time, church employees across the diocese (and all across the state, really) found themselves scrambling to find ways to keep their ministries alive without meeting in person, which is something the Catholic Church as a whole has primarily relied on up to this point. People who previously would have scoffed at the idea of live streaming Masses or online religious ed lessons started seeing technology as a way to reach out to those who may not physically come to the church because of health conditions, time constraints, transportation issues, etc.

Now, with all in-person activities suspended until further notice, churches are forced to experiment with St. John Paul II's idea of what the "New Evangelization" could look like.

For starters, the Mass -- the source and summit of our faith -- is being live streamed. I just heard of a parish in Texas that's starting "drive-in Masses", Masses held outside that invites parishioners to gather in the parking lot and tune in to a certain radio station to participate in the Mass from the safety of their cars.

A priest in Maryland is offering drive-thru confessions, where people can receive the sacrament without breaking the social distancing rule. Virtual Rosaries suddenly popped up all over the internet so quarantined Catholics could join together in prayer at Pope Francis's request yesterday.

People who don't usually attend daily Mass are now participating through live streams. Virtual prayer/discussion groups are popping up in new places. Parishes stuck in the 50s are finally getting websites. Youth ministries and religious ed programs are finding new, creative ways to use technology to their advantage.

I can almost hear St. John Paul II yelling, "FINALLY!"

If only it hadn't taken a pandemic to get us to this point. I do strongly believe, though, that this virus forcing the creative juices to flow will benefit the Church in the long run.

Imagine what the Church could look like if we didn't limit ourselves to in-person gatherings and the occasional social media post. Not only would the Church stay connected when physically apart, but those who might not willingly set foot on church property would be evangelized by the Church coming to them. This is exactly what St. John Paul II urged us to do 30 years ago.

The more active and alive our Catholic faith is in the media world, the more chance we have of impacting culture for the better.

Obviously, these things can't replace the graces we receive by participating in the sacraments and prayer in person. We need the sacraments and in-person community back ASAP. But, when this is all over and we can have both, the Church will be unstoppable!

What's one positive thing you've seen come out of this time of uncertainty and fear? Share your thoughts and discuss with each other below!