Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago, in a 2015 file photo. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)
Cardinal Cupichis asking Catholic parishes to ring their church bells five times a day, as a means of calling all to unite in prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prayer times will begin at 9 a.m. on March 21, and continue every three hours each day, with the last bells rung at 9 p.m. Each of the five prayer times will be dedicated to a specific group particularly affected by the pandemic. “Our hope is that people will have the experience of being united in prayer, especially at a time when we are isolated,” said Cardinal Cupich. “We invite our neighbors throughout the archdiocese to join in pausing and lifting up in prayer all affected, so they will know of our support. And if a parish does not have bells, we encourage parishioners to set their alarms to remind them to stop for a moment and unite in prayer,” the cardinal added. The archdiocese will provide short prayer intentions on its website and social media pages in three languages — English, Spanish and Polish — with a special intention of the day announced at the daily Mass aired on the archdiocesan website and on its Twitter account. Prayers and intentions can be found here. For more information, please visit archchicago.org.
Archdiocese launches online grief groups to offer comfort, prayer Online groups for people grieving the loss of a loved one will begin meeting May 26 and continue at least through the end of June.
Pope to take his post-pandemic pleas to global stage When he addresses, via video message, the U.N. General Assembly Sept. 21, Pope Francis is expected to speak about using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to rethink economic, political and environmental policies in a way that will benefit humanity and the earth.
Pandemic difficult on already stressed caregivers People who take care of aging, disabled or ill loved ones at home often felt isolated before the COVID-19 pandemic started shutting things down in March, according to people who have ministered to them.