The Sendegeya Family

*Providence in the time of Covid-19*
Our three year-old daughter Cecilia yesterday overheard me remind my wife Marion that we have not attended the day’s Mass. It was almost 7pm. She walked up to me and said: “Daddy, I do not like ‘Coronavirus’ church! I like Fr Greg’s church (MPB) or Fr Nicola’s church” (St Alphonsus). Coronavirus church was her way of describing our new TV Mass experience in the living room.
In spite of the lockdown, our family now has the opportunity to sit together remotely participating in a live-streamed Mass, every single day of the week. This is not always possible in the course of the week as the only available Masses are at time when either Dad has begun work or the school day is just about to begin. The grace of the sacrifice of the Mass is sure help in these days.
Providence has also led us to stumble upon FORMED, an online service of Catholic formation content for families (there’s a free 40-day trial). It has been the answer to our yearning to devote time to teaching the children about the faith. Anastasia and Cecilia are enthralled by the ‘Brother Francis’ show on the platform and we look forward to exploring more content.
The newfound faith shows and daily live-streamed Mass have made this time of disruption of regular schedules also occasion for spiritual growth for us and the children. The children also now feel the need to pray with more fervor for the Coronavirus to go away (in their words)! Anastasia, who is hardly out of kindergarten, now reads the entire litany at the end of the Holy Rosary.
We remain united in prayer with all the people at the frontline of the battle against COVID-19 and the sick, the bereaved and their families and all those whose labour keeps essential services going.