Prayer to Mary for Intercessions to deal with COVID-19

PRAYER TO MARY

Our bishop writes, “In this time of need, I invite all the faithful to seek together the maternal intercession of our Blessed Mother.

O Mary,
you shine always on our way
as a sign of safety and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick,
who at the foot of the Cross bound yourself to the suffering of Jesus,
keeping strong in your faith .
O Salvation of God’s People,
you know what we need,
and we are sure you will provide it for us
just as at Cana of Galilee,
the joy and feasting could return
after that moment of trial.
Mother of Divine Love, help us,
to conform ourselves to the will of the Father
and to do what Jesus tells us,
He who has took upon Himself our sufferings
and is marked by our sorrows
and so lead us, through the cross,
to the joy of the resurrection.
Amen.

Catholic Statements on George Floyd and National Protests

Pope Francis: No tolerance for racism, but without violence

From the Library of the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father's General Audience

Pope Francis spoke at the General Audience about the protests in the United States following the killing of George Floyd, saying we cannot claim to defend the sacredness of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion.

By Vatican News

In his greetings to the English-speaking faithful at the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis addressed the people of the United States, as protests continue throughout the nation.

“I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd,” he said. “We cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.”

Denouncing violence

The Pope then cited a recent statement from Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), to denounce outcroppings of violence at some protests.

“At the same time, we have to recognize that ‘the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost’.”

Pope Francis added that today he joins the Church in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, and throughout the entire US, “in praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd and of all those others who have lost their lives as a result of the sin of racism.”

Prayer for reconciliation and peace

The Pope concluded his remarks with an invitation to prayer.

“Let us pray for the consolation of their grieving families and friends and let us implore the national reconciliation and peace for which we yearn,” he said. “May Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of America, intercede for all those who work for peace and justice in your land and throughout the world.”

Statement of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests 

May 29, 2020

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WASHINGTON – Seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have issued a statement in the wake of the death of Mr. George Floyd and the protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States.

Bishop Shelton J. Fabre of Houma-Thibodaux, chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism; Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia, chairman of the Committee on Cultural Diversity in the Church; Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities; Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of Scranton, chairman of the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs; Bishop David G. O’Connell, auxiliary bishop of Los Angeles, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development; and Bishop Joseph N. Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago, chairman of the Subcommittee on African American Affairs have issued the following statement:

We are broken-hearted, sickened, and outraged to watch another video of an African American man being killed before our very eyes. What’s more astounding is that this is happening within mere weeks of several other such occurrences. This is the latest wake-up call that needs to be answered by each of us in a spirit of determined conversion.

Racism is not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue to be bandied about when convenient. It is a real and present danger that must be met head on. As members of the Church, we must stand for the more difficult right and just actions instead of the easy wrongs of indifference. We cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities and yet still try to profess to respect every human life. We serve a God of love, mercy, and justice.

While it is expected that we will plead for peaceful non-violent protests, and we certainly do, we also stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged. Too many communities around this country feel their voices are not being heard, their complaints about racist treatment are unheeded, and we are not doing enough to point out that this deadly treatment is antithetical to the Gospel of Life.

As we said eighteen months ago in our most recent pastoral letter against racism, Open Wide Our Hearts, for people of color some interactions with police can be fraught with fear and even danger. People of good conscience must never turn a blind eye when citizens are being deprived of their human dignity and even their lives. Indifference is not an option. “As bishops, we unequivocally state that racism is a life issue.”

We join Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis in praying for the repose of the soul of Mr. George Floyd and all others who have lost their lives in a similar manner. We plead for an end to the violence in the wake of this tragedy and for the victims of the rioting. We pray for comfort for grieving families and friends. We pray for peace across the United States, particularly in Minnesota, while the legal process moves forward. We also anticipate a full investigation that results in rightful accountability and actual justice.

We join our brother bishops to challenge everyone to come together, particularly with those who are from different cultural backgrounds. In this encounter, let us all seek greater understanding amongst God’s people. So many people who historically have been disenfranchised continue to experience sadness and pain, yet they endeavor to persevere and remain people of great faith. We encourage our pastors to encounter and more authentically accompany them, listen to their stories, and learn from them, finding substantive ways to enact systemic change. Such encounters will start to bring about the needed transformation of our understanding of true life, charity, and justice in the United States. Hopefully, then there will be many voices speaking out and seeking healing against the evil of racism in our land.

As we anticipate the Solemnity of Pentecost this weekend, we call upon all Catholics to pray and work toward a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray for a supernatural desire to rid ourselves of the harm that bias and prejudice cause. We call upon Catholics to pray to the Holy Spirit for the Spirit of Truth to touch the hearts of all in the United States and to come down upon our criminal justice and law enforcement systems. Finally, let each and every Catholic, regardless of their ethnicity, beg God to heal our deeply broken view of each other, as well as our deeply broken society.

Statement of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities 

May 31, 2020

WASHINGTON – Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has issued a statement on George Floyd and the protests in American cities that have taken place over the last several days. This follows the Friday statement from seven U.S. bishop chairmen of committees within the USCCB.

archbishop Gomez.jpg

Archbishop Gomez’s full statement follows:

The killing of George Floyd was senseless and brutal, a sin that cries out to heaven for justice. How is it possible that in America, a black man’s life can be taken from him while calls for help are not answered, and his killing is recorded as it happens?

I am praying for George Floyd and his loved ones, and on behalf of my brother bishops, I share the outrage of the black community and those who stand with them in Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and across the country. The cruelty and violence he suffered does not reflect on the majority of good men and women in law enforcement, who carry out their duties with honor. We know that. And we trust that civil authorities will investigate his killing carefully and make sure those responsible are held accountable.

We should all understand that the protests we are seeing in our cities reflect the justified frustration and anger of millions of our brothers and sisters who even today experience humiliation, indignity, and unequal opportunity only because of their race or the color of their skin. It should not be this way in America. Racism has been tolerated for far too long in our way of life.

It is true what Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, that riots are the language of the unheard. We should be doing a lot of listening right now. This time, we should not fail to hear what people are saying through their pain. We need to finally root out the racial injustice that still infects too many areas of American society.

But the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost. Let us keep our eyes on the prize of true and lasting change.

Legitimate protests should not be exploited by persons who have different values and agendas. Burning and looting communities, ruining the livelihoods of our neighbors, does not advance the cause of racial equality and human dignity.  

We should not let it be said that George Floyd died for no reason. We should honor the sacrifice of his life by removing racism and hate from our hearts and renewing our commitment to fulfill our nation’s sacred promise — to be a beloved community of life, liberty, and equality for all.

ARRIVEDERCI, FRANCESCA!

Francesca Healy.JPG

Francesca Healy, longtime Newman parishioner (10:00 a.m. Mass) recently moved to Seattle.  Francesca’s health has been declining, and she and her son Ted, who lives in Seattle, decided that for both care and closeness, she would move to a skilled nursing facility there.

 Francesca moved from Southern California in 1958 to attend SF State, where she received a BA in Child Development.  She returned to the southland, and finally to the Bay Area in 1970.  She started at Newman in 1975, where she met her late husband Dan at a Halloween party in 1978, where they married in 1979 (Fr. Jack McConnell), and where Ted was baptized in 1980 (Fr. George Fitzgerald).

 During her long tenure at Newman, Francesca was active in the 10:00 and Family Mass choirs, served as Eucharistic minister, and as host, server, and entertainer (piano) at Loaves & Fishes dinners.  When time & energy allowed, she helped with coffee & donuts setup, and participated in both Women in Conversation and Newman Elders.  Away from Newman she was active at the North Berkeley Senior Center, and was a founding member of the Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra, where she sang through the fall 2019 season.

 Before her departure, there was a small gathering of close friends, where she played piano and received a special blessing to send her on her way.  If you would like to be in touch with her, please contact Deborah Tatto.

Arrivederci, Francesca!

— Deborah Tatto

Novena to the Holy Spirit focusing on the 9 Fruits (May 22-30)


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Within nine days of Pentecost, we are having a novena to the Holy Spirit focusing on Her fruits - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and, self-control (Gal 5:22-23). Each day we will focus on a different fruit in the order found in Galatians.

Please spend some time during the day praying and reflecting on that particular day’s fruit - its significance, its power, its nourishment, and how to actualize it more deeply in your life: To help us, at each 12:10pm Masses, we will focus on and pray for the fruit of the day. The Newman staff members will assist by sharing their insights. Please feel free to share your insights in the chat before and after Mass, so that together we may actualize the fruitful power of the Holy Spirt at Newman and beyond.

For one possible novena prayer template, click here. However, feel free to structure this novena in whatever prayer style that works for you. 

Below are the Newman Staff’s reflections on the 9 Fruits of the Holy Spirit:

May 22 - LOVE

Fr. Steven Bell, CSP

May 23 - JOY

Fr. Ivan Tou, CSP

May 24 - PEACE

Fr. Steven Bell, CSP

May 25 - PATIENCE

Fr. Ivan Tou, CSP

May 26 - KINDNESS

Colleen Lenord

May 27 - GENEROSITY

Fr. Steve Bossi, CSP

May 28 - faithfulness

Fr. George Griener, SJ

May 29 - Gentleness

Fr. Steve Bossi, CSP

May 30 - self-control

Frances Rojek

Here is a sample Novena Prayer to help us focus on the fruits of the Holy Spirit:

NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Opening

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen


Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in me the fire of your love
and kindle in me your precious fruits:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.

Opening Prayer
(adapted from the opening prayer of the Mass on Pentecost Sunday)

O God, who by the mystery of the great feast of Pentecost
sanctify your whole Church in every people and nation,
pour out, we pray,
the gifts of the Holy Spirit
across the face of the earth
and, with the divine grace that was at work
when the Gsopel was first proclaimed,
fill now once more the hearts of believers.

May the fruits of the Holy Spirit,
in particular <name the fruit of the day>,
which I meditate today with deep affection,
grow and blossom in me and all the baptized

I ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

AMEN

Proclaim the Pentecost Readings

Reading 1 - Acts 2:1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together.
And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and it filled the entire house in which they were.
Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,
which parted and came to rest on each one of them.
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.
At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd,
but they were confused
because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
They were astounded, and in amazement they asked,
“Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans?
Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?
We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites,
inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene,
as well as travelers from Rome,
both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs,
yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues
of the mighty acts of God.”

Responsorial Psalm - Ps 104: 1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

R. (cf. 30) Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD, my God, you are great indeed!
How manifold are your works, O Lord!
the earth is full of your creatures;
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD be glad in his works!
Pleasing to him be my theme;
I will be glad in the LORD.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.
If you take away their breath, they perish
and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the earth.
R. Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Gospel - John 20:19-23

On the evening of that first day of the week,
when the doors were locked, where the disciples were,
for fear of the Jews,
Jesus came and stood in their midst
and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.
As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them,
“Receive the Holy Spirit.
Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them,
and whose sins you retain are retained.”

Quiet Reflection on the Readings and the Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22-23)

Reflect quietly, peacefully, and joyfully on the readings and the fruits of the Holy Spirit, in particular the fruit of the day.

Prayer Intentions

Bring the needs of the Church, the world, and your personal needs before our Lord.

Our Father

Hail Mary

Concluding Prayer: Pentecost Sequence

Veni, Sancte Spiritus

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
And from your celestial home
Shed a ray of light divine!
Come, Father of the poor!
Come, source of all our store!
Come, within our bosoms shine.
You, of comforters the best;
You, the soul’s most welcome guest;
Sweet refreshment here below;
In our labor, rest most sweet;
Grateful coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.
O most blessed Light divine,
Shine within these hearts of yours,
And our inmost being fill!
Where you are not, we have naught,
Nothing good in deed or thought,
Nothing free from taint of ill.
Heal our wounds, our strength renew;
On our dryness pour your dew;
Wash the stains of guilt away:
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray.
On the faithful, who adore
And confess you, evermore
In your sevenfold gift descend;
Give them virtue’s sure reward;
Give them your salvation, Lord;
Give them joys that never end. Amen.
Alleluia.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Laudato Si' Week (May 16-24)

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We are approaching the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Ladauto Si’, which was signed May 25, 2015. Pope Francis’ encyclical on care for our common home is a prophetic call to action as our world is on a path of self-destruction that will greatly affect all life, especially the poor and vulnerable. We are called to work together to create a more sustainable and holistic future, so creation’s beauty is shared by all.

The theme for Laudato Si’ Week is “everything is connected.” All existence is united by one God who created the universe and created us, calling it all good and very good. Given our vocation as stewards of creation, we have a moral responsibility to care for creation, to maintain and expand creation’s beauty. This we have done well through the great humanity’s arts of music, literature, drama, art, etc. We have done this well in the parks we have preserved and the rescue of animals in times of disaster. However, we have behaved poorly when we disregard the impact of our actions such as through blind deforestation, strip mining, pollution, and being the cause of the extinction of species.

I invite you to come learn more about Laudato Si’ and explore together what Newman as a community and you as an individual can do to fulfill our noble responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. I’ve shared in the past what we’ve done and plan to do, but I know collectively, we can be even more creative and more impactful.

Newman Laudato Si’ Activities to enrich you this week

  • Laudato Si’ Introduction Video - This video, by parishioner Bori Kozek, provides a quick summary into this prophetic encyclical.

  • Laudato Si’ Presentation & Discussion - We had some fabulous presentations by Brett Furnas (State Wildlife Ecologist and 10am Parishioner) and discussions among parishioners. Check out our past two meetings by clicking on the videos blow:

Resources to help you learn more about Laudato Si’
on your own or with your family or friends:

Some International Activities
sponsored by the Global Catholic Climate Movement for Laudato Si’ Week:

  • Laudato Si’ Week 2020: Laudato Si' Retreat: An Introductory Immersion - This is a two-day international retreat sponsored by the Global Catholic Climate Movement. The second day of the retreat is on Sunday (May 17) at 10am-11:30am (PST).

  • Laudato Si’ Week International Workshops: (Para versiones en español, consulte la siguiente página web)

    • 5am, Mon, May 18 - Laudato Si' at 5: As Prophetic and Relevant As Ever

    • 6am, Tue, May 19 - Eco-spirituality: Deepening our Communion with Creation

    • 6am, Wed, May 20 - Sustainability: Time for the Church to Lead by Example 

    • 8am, Wed, May 20 - Advocacy: Raising our Voices for the Earth and the most Vulnerable

    • 6am, Fri, May 22 - Social Action: Integral Ecology and Community Building in Times of a Global Pandemic 

“I [Pope Francis] urgently appeal... for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all.”
— no. 14, Laudato Si'

Reflection Questions of the Day

  • When we fail to care for creation, what impact does this have on our relationship with ourselves, others, God and the earth?

  • Reflecting on the Creation Story in Gn 1:1-2:3 and other Scriptural passages, how does Scripture call us to care for God’s creation?

“When human beings place themselves at the center, they give absolute priority to immediate convenience and all else becomes relative... It is also the mindset of those who say: Let us allow the invisible forces of the market to regulate the economy, and consider their impact on society and nature as collateral damage.”
— no. 122-123, Laudato Si'

Reflection Questions of the Day

  • How has the attitude in this quote contributed to many of the problems of the world, like pollution, climate change, access to safe drinkable water, loss of biodiversity, and global inequality?

  • How do we surrender being the center of it all and if we’re not the center, how should we view our role in creation, in the world?

“Everything is connected...
We are faced not with two separate crises, one environmental and the other social, but rather with one complex crisis which is both social and environmental. Strategies for a solution demand an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, and at the same time protecting nature.”
— no. 91, 139 - Laudato Si'

Reflection Questions of the Day

  • Pope Francis encourages us to listen both to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor (no, 49). What happens when we are attuned to only or the other?

  • What changes can we make to our lifestyle, production and consumption to better care for one another and creation?

“An interdependent world not only makes us more conscious of the negative effects of certain lifestyles and models of production and consumption which affect us all; more importantly, it motivates us to ensure that solutions are proposed from a global perspective, and not simply to defend the interests of a few countries.”
— no. 164, Laudato Si'

Living the Challenge

It is easy to resort to our past patterns and habits unless we take to heart the warnings and concerns of Pope Francis. One way to help us recognize our personal impact is to take the following challenges:

  • Save two weeks or more of your garbage. Now imagine if you had to hold onto a year’s garbage. Your garbage is going to someone’s backyard. Out of fairness, why not yours?

  • Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rot (compost) - Challenge yourself to reduce the amount of purchases and the amount of energy you use. Challenge yourself to reuse things before throwing them away. Recycle much more than your throw away. Purchase with the mind of lasting a long time and recycling.

  • Rotate through your wardrobe and find out how many days can you go without wearing the same thing twice. We do have laundry machines, so consider how many days should be reasonable and then unload the rest to someone who has need.

  • For each room in your house, move everything except furniture outside and then back.  We are supposed to be pilgrim people; your camels would probably hate you for owning so much. Or imagine you were forced to live in a Tiny Home, 500 square feet max. How would you downsize to make this possible? Then consider exploring decluttering such as by reading “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo and putting the ideas into action.

  • Calculate your carbon footprint by going to a website like terrapass.com and then explore ways to reduce or compensate the carbon your generate. According to this site, a round trip flight from SFO to NYC generates 4,954 lbs of CO2 and would cost $24.22 to offset. The average US person generate 63,934 lbs of CO2 per year.

Goodbye Message from Deacon Justin Claravall, SJ

I didn’t expect it to end like this. But I also never expected it to begin like it did. During my first two years in Berkeley, I never settled into a parish. Diaconate ordination crept closer, but I couldn’t be a real deacon without a parish to serve, without a people to form and train me. 

Justin’s Diaconate Ordination by Most Rev. Michael Barber, SJ

Justin’s Diaconate Ordination by Most Rev. Michael Barber, SJ

Then one Sunday I went to Newman, as Fr. Paul Rospond CSP gave what I later discovered to be one of his last homilies. He held back tears as he extolled the diversity, even the tension, in the parish, and claimed it as a space for everyone to fill. The choir sung a beautiful choral piece, and their harmony filled the cavernous temple I once thought abhorrent in its stark grey heaviness. It looked and felt lighter that day. I remembered seeing Fr. Paul in Santa Barbara, where I did my undergraduate studies. That Sunday at Newman, events and experiences collided into what people used to call kismet, but what the heart of faith feels as Providence. I knew where I would like to serve.

But would you accept me, a Johnny-come-lately Jesuit cleric, in his last year at Berkeley before moving on? Would you see an unfamiliar face standing at the altar when so many faithful, familiar faces came weekly, even daily, to Mass and would not be seen in the sanctuary? Would you hear an unfamiliar voice attempt to preach to a congregation already formed so well, already zealous in faith? 

After preaching a noon Mass one weekday, some of you students offered to take me to lunch at a dining hall. I hadn’t been in a college dining hall since 2004, and never with a clerical collar. Sitting in the hall with FOCUS missionaries and students, having just shared at the table of the Lord and now in the table of the cafeteria, I felt welcome to be present and minister in little and ordinary ways.

A few months later, on a Sunday, I stressed over writing a homily after a busy weekend and the disturbing revelations of abuse by a man who many, including me, once revered. I had some trepidation when I felt like mentioning it in the homily. But after the Mass, many of you wanted to speak with me and thank me for what I said in the homily. Conversation ran long after the coffee tables were cleaned and folded. You encouraged me to continue. 

I didn’t expect it to end like this. I cannot adequately express my gratitude to you for forming my priesthood by your priesthood, expressed in welcoming others at the door and front desk, praying for others to Our Lady, leading others in spiritual conversation and study, giving food to the hungry, dancing, and singing. As a Jesuit, I felt welcomed, comfortable, and challenged in traditional and progressive spaces, and honored to be a part of the Empty Tomb that contains and loves us all. Pray for me. One day, I hope to celebrate together with you again at the altar. May God continue to bless and strengthen you in your mission to the university and the local community. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life!

— Justin Claravall, SJ

————————

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Deacon Justin is being assigned to Dolores Mission in Boyle Heights (Los Angeles). If you are down there, pay him a visit. He will leave Berkeley in mid-June. His ordination date has yet to be determined given the shelter-in-place. After ordination, he will be assigned there as Associate Pastor.

So you might be wondering what he has been doing with his time given he is sheltered in place and hasn’t been able to deacon at our streamed Masses?

Besides the Jesuits making sandwiches for the homeless, one thing he has picked up is being an icon writer.





Voices of the Community (#2)

In this extraordinary time,
what motivates you to keep going?

Newman Choir

Newman Choir

First, I have used this shelter-in-place break to plant 2 elegant Japanese maples, 1 beautiful hydrangea, 24 tomato plants and 10 pink geraniums.  This has both beautified our garden and has given much needed business to our local nurseries.

     Second, I and three members of my physics research group have been stymied by a complicated problem in our research for the last 3 years.  The stress connected with covid-19 plus the less hurried schedule has stimulated our creative juices which, in turn, has resulted in a major breakthrough in our research all worked out over Zoom.  We now have a strategy going forward for the next three years.

BOB BIRGENEAU

 

I relish the good company of my wife, since she's now working from home.  The unfolding of spring in my garden and the hills is beautiful, and the quiet mood of the city is nice.  I saw a turkey strutting around a busy parking lot, a deer walking just off College Avenue, and a man on horseback passed by my office on College yesterday!  We can think about how to make the world better, but also how to make our lives simpler and better.  I call and email lots of people, especially single folks stuck at home.  Streaming Mass is working for me, but I do miss the congregation.  I suppose we now are like God always is - wanting to contact and love people, but there are many roadblocks in 'normal' times.  To what extent do we habitually shelter at home, from God and our neighbors?  

I do find myself whistling Newman songs.

KIRK PETERSON

 

I feel so blessed because my adult children are supportive and help me. 

I have learned to shop on line so that almost every day I receive a package! It’s kind of fun.

I’ve lived in my house over 50 years.  I like to sit on my front yard and remember the sweet days as a stay at home mom and the women and kids I used to hang out with.

I’ve not been out of my yard since Feb 26!

 Guess not going anywhere very soon 

That it, thanks for asking.

GERRY LAZAR

 

What keeps me going is community. Even if we can’t physically be together, the text messages and phone calls I send and receive each day are powerful reminds that social distancing doesn’t mean we are isolated.

JOSPEH RAMELO

  

The Creator has given us a chance to support and love others, even when there is confusion everywhere!

KENNETH REID

  

What gets me through these times is being with my family.

ANON

Scientifically, I know that the vibrations of our voices follow the same pathways in the brain as comfort (and pain relief). Spiritually, I miss the blend of our voices in communal singing, that so lifts my soul. Singing is my most favorite form of Praise. I'll read a phrase of scripture and immediately my brain switches to one of the sogs that were built from those phrases. We will truly be rejoicing, for many reasons, when we finally get to share our Masses together again!

MARIE RETHERFORD

 

I would like to encourage people to remember in this trying time to be grateful for even the smallest things in our lives right now. A verse that resonates with me greatly during this pandemic is Luke 12:48, which says that "to whom much has been given, much will be required." I've been blessed with a healthy family, opportunity to finish my last semester at Berkeley and the privilege to stay at home, yet I realize that not all are as fortunate as I am. With this in mind, I am motivated more than ever to find ways to help others in any way that I can as well as to graduate and make my family proud.

ANON

 

We are trying to be very hopeful and stay positive each day as we stay sheltered at home.   Our days have been very busy trying to do things at home, like cleaning out closets and drawers, catching up on phone calls with family and friends, food shopping for shut in neighbors, taking daily walks, doing computer work, reading, listening to music, catching up on movies and praying a lot.  We have been reflecting on how fortunate we are to be healthy, and not dealing with many of the problems that others are facing as a result of this pandemic.  For us this has been a temporary inconvenience which we are hoping and praying will end soon for everyone.  We miss our Newman family and look forward to the day when we can all be back at Newman together.

ALFREDA & RICH CAMPOS

 

What keeps me inspired these days - prayer, music practice and exchange, spiritual reading, nature walks and communicating with family and friends, has not changed too much. Only now, I feel these connections have deepened and are less interrupted. The world is now moving at the pace I am used to - much more slowly. It is giving me more time to remember all the gifts that I have in this life and to give gratitude to God more often. Although I feel sad at the state of the world and those who have been the most affected, when I hear the heroic stories of how people are helping one another, I have a lot of hope that coming through this tragedy we will have created new avenues of love that will continue well beyond the pandemic.

JOAN ALLEKOTTE

 

Thanks for reaching out - it has been a strange couple of weeks and celebrating Easter virtually was surreal! We’ve been so fortunate to be safe throughout this period and have been truly shocked by the hardships others are facing. The least we can do is shelter in place and have faith things will return to normal - I’d have to say I draw a tremendous amount of inspiration from the Sunday sermons delivered via YouTube and seeing the random acts of kindness throughout the Bay Area during such trying times. 

I hope you and the Newman family are safe and thank you for hosting mass on YouTube for everyone. 

ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

I miss going to mass and being in community, as I'm sure many people do. 

During this time, I am spending plenty of time in the kitchen - cooking, cleaning, pondering with YouTube communal prayers on in the background...the Rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Holy Cloak of St Joseph, various archangel prayers, prayers of hope and protection from fear. 

I am also finding music to be heart opening, soul soothing, memory evoking, inspirational, energetic and fun. 

Thank you for reaching out. I pray for all souls, as I'm at a bit of a loss of what exactly to pray for these days. Our Lord knows our hearts, and I pray that is enough as we keep moving forward during these times.

My best to you and all of Newman. Be safe, healthy and well!
TRIANE CHANG

 

Our toddler is the one who is helping us get through this time; watching her grow, seeing her learn and discover new things, and experiencing her abundant joy is the best thing we are experiencing. Since all of my work is now at home, she gets to spend more time with me, and she is so content to have her parents with her all the time. I feel so blessed, and it makes me recognize all the better how the image of God as Father is so powerful--a being who takes joy in watching us grow and change, and one whom we should love to be around and with. Jesus's words that we must be like children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven are so poignant to me as I spend time with her.

LEVI CHECKETTS & JIYOUNG KO

 

During these extraordinary times as the world has been brought to a standstill, I feel that we've all been called to re-evaluate our lives and make some much needed changes within ourselves, as well as globally. It is a unique opportunity for a renewal of faith and values that have been sorely missing in the world. Taken as such, this time could be a real blessing and a reason for hope in better humankind coming out of this crisis. 

As now I feel the need for spiritual connection with God probably more than ever before I find encouragement in daily gospel reflections I signed up for with Bishop Robert Barron. It can be found under dailycatholicgospel.com and it provides me with a wonderful start to a new day each morning. Hope you will find it useful. 

Love and blessings to all!

JOANNA BIK

  

I’ve been spoiled by the sweet oversight of two of our kids and have suffered little except for the passing of my old dog, Nellie. I write for a blog, curse the news, sleep too much, walk, trim roses, pay bills and even pray a bit. Oh, yes, I sing in the shower. 

The worst: I truly miss the Mass.

JACK COONS

 

I've certainly found that prayer and connecting with the Newman community via the livestream Mass helps a lot.  We're lucky enough to have both of our sons home, so spending time with them has helped a lot.  We've taken to playing a nightly match of badminton in the backyard after dinner.  The combination of exercise, fresh air, family togetherness and silliness always sets my spirit right.

GRACE & CHRIS SHANNON

 

Hope is what has always motivated me. We prepare for the worst, but we also hope for the best. In particular, during this extraordinary time, we must not lose it.

ALEX CHAN

We're staying busier than before the shutdown, though keeping to the house.   Joan has been training dozens and dozens of folks in using Zoom, both friends and in Rotary.  We both have helped our nonprofit boards and groups shift committee and Board meetings to Zoom, as well as clubs' weekly Rotary meetings with Zoom.  Our Berkeley Rotary meeting draws more than 70 each week - trivial compared to our masses.

I've staged and been to three whisky tastings by Zoom and one socially distanced backyard tasting with Newman Hall friends. Joan stays busy with friends hiking and birdwatching each day, while masking and social distancing.  Most of my long put-off house projects are about done.  Yet we've got months to go.   I've got a Zoom lecture to give in a week on the housing problems of recent decades, which will be interesting to do.  Our daughter and grandchildren from Bishop are visiting and staying with us this weekend - they figure it's the last time they can safely travel by car, since the tourists will be swarming their town and bringing the virus.  My daughter, spouse and grandkids from NYC will arrive a week or so later by plane, quarantine for two weeks in a rental unit, and then stay with us several weeks.  All our kids' household have been in confinement religiously for 7 weeks or so, doing jobs or schoolwork from home.  Zoom family reunions are now weekly - a good innovation that the pandemic and Zoom made feasible.

Our big worry is that the doctors tell us we can't travel to NY state for our son's wedding in Sept. - unless there's a vaccine, which is most unlikely.

We've enjoyed the Sunday 10 am mass and the chatroom each week since shutdown, and are impressed at how superb the preaching has consistently been at each mass.  

FRED & JOAN COLLIGNON

 

Greg and I are working from home and doing great. Thanks Father Ivan and all the staff for looking in on us. I've been enjoying the live masses on FB, keep them up. 

FRANCISCO & GREG

 

Both I and my parents are staying afloat and I thank God for that.  As to how I remain positive:  I have been blessed by God with a thirst for knowledge and a hunger for information.  I have no shortage of things I need to research.  Additionally, I am also blessed with my place in Auburn which I am at every other week.  I relish the opportunity I have to become a part of its natural surroundings.  The wild turkeys now look at me as one of them and feel very comfortable being near me as they are looking for food and I am picking weeds.  I know that not everybody has these God-given opportunities but I guess anyone can ask questions and find answers on google and spend time in nature no matter how small the patch is.

DEBRA DUFFAUT

 Compiled by Colleen Lenord