Every Face Seen. Every Voice Heard.

It’s challenging to go about our daily lives when confronted with a new fear at every headline in the minute-by-minute news cycle— knowing what to do or what not to do can paralyze us.

One of the most discouraging instructions we’ve received is “social distancing.” Really? More so than we already are—even without the concern for contagion? Be assured St. Monica is committed to the latest updates, measures, and accurate information to keep our community healthy— in mind, body, and spirit. Reminders of proper hand-washing techniques have been posted at every sink. Hand sanitizing stations are being deployed. Our facilities staff (God bless them!) are proactively implementing enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of common area surfaces and increasing our disinfection routines—but I stray from my headline...

In many ways, we’re more ‘distanced’ than ever. Our lives are increasingly digital. In Alone Together, Sherry Turkle writes, “We expect more from technology and less from each other.” And whilst St. Monica provides a unique opportunity to be in community— in person—nearly every day of the week, we could better utilize technology and storytelling to bridge the distance of our social lives.

So, I’m very excited to extend an invitation to all the Catholic creatives in our parish: photographers, videographers, writers, designers, illustrators, and digital mavens. We must form a ministry of storytelling that moves beyond the bulletin and the concluding announcements—to capture and share the narrative of all the unique voices and faces to be seen and heard.

Save either of these dates: Sunday, March 22, 3 p.m. or Thursday, March 26, 7 p.m. I invite you to a ground-level discussion and brainstorm what this ministry could be and, most importantly, do.