Diocese updates pastoral initiatives for coronavirus

Because of the pandemic, the closure of Utah Catholic Schools has been extended through May 1, although remote instruction will continue through this time.

In addition, Bishop Solis asked that each church offer Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament each day, with the caveat that social distancing be kept.

The bishop also asked that each parish conduct two food drives for the needy, one on Palm Sunday (April 5) and the other on Easter Sunday (April 12). The donations may be used for the parish’s own food bank, delivered to needy families within the parish, or given to Catholic Community Services. “This is a Lenten service of charity,” Bishop Solis wrote.

The memo also directs all churches and missions to ring the bells at noon and 6 p.m., and encourage parishioners to pray, at home with their family, the Angelus and the Act of Consecration of the diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. (The prayers follow.) This was to begin the weekend of March 28 and continue until Holy Thursday, and to ring again on Easter Sunday.

“During these difficult times, it is important that all our parish churches and missions throughout the diocese concretely share our solidarity and commitment to the faith renewal of the faithful through the observance of the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving,” Bishop Solis said in his memo. “The manner of carrying out these initiatives manifests our unity in our mission of responding to the spiritual needs of the faithful and makes them know that God, the Church and their shepherds are with them especially during this time of crisis.”

The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,

R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. (Recite the Hail Mary)

Behold the handmaid of the Lord.

R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word. (Recite the Hail Mary)

And the Word was made flesh

R. And dwelt among us.  (Recite the Hail Mary)

Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.

R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts; that as we have known the incarnation of Christ, your Son by the message of an angel, so by his Passion and cross, we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection. Through the same Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Prayer of Consecration of our Diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

O Mary, Virgin most powerful and Mother of Mercy, we consecrate our very being, our whole life and ourselves: all that we have and all that we love to your Immaculate Heart. We consecrate to you our bodies, our hearts, and our souls, our homes, our families, our diocese and our country. We desire all that is in us and around us may share in the benefits of your motherly blessing.

We make this act of consecration and pledge to profess courageously and at all times, the truths of our holy faith, and to live our Christian life as genuine Catholics, and obedient to our Holy Father, Pope Francis, the bishops and the clergy in communion with him. We pledge to keep our baptismal promises and the commandments of God and his Church, in particular to keep holy the Lord’s Day.

O Mary, Refuge of sinners and Health of the sick, you gave hope to your people in time of distress, and brought them comfort in time of sorrow. Keep us under your mantle of protection, all those who are suffering because of the coronavirus disease, and those who care for the sick and minister to their needs, as your Son implores us to do for one another.

Be with us now as a sign of salvation and hope, as we entrust ourselves to your loving care. Help us, O Mother of Divine Love, to remain steadfast in the midst of fear, suffering and death. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.