Double Rainbow over Lourdes on Feast of the Annunciation, March 25, 2020.
Our prayers go out to the entire world, for those who are sick, for those who have died, for those who care for the sick, for those who mourn, for leaders making tough decisions, for communities devastated by loss. May we be united in service, and in compassion.
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Letter from Assistant Dean of Students, Paul Kircher |
Dear JST Community,
I hope that you all have been finding some time for rest and renewal during this week of Spring Break. May we all continue to provide support to each other as we listen and sense how God is accompanying us in facing the many challenges of COVID-19 in our school community and in our world. We are grateful to the students who have initiated the 8 p.m. evening prayer services Sunday through Thursday. I attended Lectio Divina on Thursday and truly felt the presence of the Spirit in our prayer together. I invite you to attend this coming week if you are able.
In this issue of the Magis, please see the resources that we are suggesting in this period of shelter-in-place, and let us know if you have additional recommendations or invitations. You may e-mail Mary Beth Lamb at melamb@scu.edu by noon each Wednesday.
This Tuesday evening, March 31, at 6:45 p.m., I invite you to gather virtually for reflection together on what we are learning as a school community during this time of COVID-19. We will consider what God may be revealing to us, and what we are learning about ministry in a time of crisis. I will send out the zoom link. If you have ideas for this gathering, please e-mail me at pkircher@scu.edu
In prayer and in solidarity with all those who are suffering,
Paul
 | Liturgy NewsDue to the shelter in place directive, Gesù Chapel at JST is not open for Mass or for prayer. The entire Diocese of Oakland has suspended public Masses, though some churches remain open for private prayer. We list below some online resources. If you find something that you think would be beneficial for the community, please send the link to Mary Beth Lamb, melamb@scu.edu.
A group of JST students is continuing to plan evening prayer gatherings via zoom, from 8:00-8:30 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. If you are interested in helping to lead a session in the coming weeks, please email Sebastian Budinich at sbudinich@scu.edu. Contact Sebasian for the zoom link, which will also be sent out via e-mail. Please join with your microphones muted at the beginning.
Here are some audio-visual online resources that we recommend:
NEW: Virtual retreats for Holy Week by Liturgy Training Publications with limited registration. If interested, sign up early!
NEW: Online Liturgy of the Word with Future Church on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, 4:00 p.m. It includes praying together, listening to the readings, viewing the weekly preaching from Catholic Women Preach, and breaking out into small groups to respond to a question based on the readings or preaching. (please note that each Wednesday will be a "repeat" of the previous Sunday).
NEW: Daily Mass online offers livestreams of Mass all around the world which you can log on to at the specific time of the Mass.
NEW: Catholic Current from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops lists various online sources for livestream and recorded Mass and other prayer resources.
Pray as you go daily video prayer from the Jesuits in Britain.
Text only online resources:
NEW: Complimentary Online Access to Give Us This Day
NEW: Pax Christi has a webpage that lists prayer, study and action resources. These include a shared movie night on Wednesdays. For April 1, the movie of the week is Cesar Chavez.
A Heart Renewed JST's daily email with readings, reflections and prayers
Complimentary Online Access to Magnificat
Complimentary Online Access to Sunday Liturgies from Living with Christ
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JST Announcements
- JST updates on COVID-19 can be found here. This page links also to the SCU and GTU updates.
- If you are a JST student and would like to lead or participate in a faith-sharing or prayer group virtually with other students, please e-mail pkircher@scu.edu.
- If you are a JST student experiencing food insecurity because of the shelter-in-place order, please request assistance by registering with the SCU Bronco Pantry and indicate that you are from JST.
- If you are a JST student experiencing financial need as a result of COVID-19, please see the SCU Financial Aid page for information on the SCU Emergency Fund and submit the request at this link.
- Here are some virtual resources for mental health if you feel you need such support during this time.
- SilverCloud: This is a clinically proven online mental health platform, offering programs that help with building resilience, managing anxiety or depression, and coping with stress and sleep issues. Through August 2020, Silver Cloud is available to all JST-SCU students. To sign up, please visit gsh.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/ and choose “Santa Clara University” from the drop-down menu to get started. To confirm your eligibility, you will need to use your school-issued scu.edu e-mail address. This service is confidential and your e-mail address will not be used outside of the SilverCloud platform.
- BetterHelp: BetterHelp provides professional counseling by licensed therapists 24 hours a day, seven days a week, via phone, video-conferencing, text, or chat. If you are on the SCU student health insurance plan with UnitedHealthcare StudentResources, this service is provided to you free of charge; you may get started by accessing this link. If you are not on the SCU student health insurance, this service is available for $40-70/week by setting up a paid account at this link.
- For assistance with Moodle,visit the Moodle Help page for students, which includes frequently asked questions and instructions for how to resolve some of the common difficulties that students can face in Moodle. You can also access the help page by logging into Moodle, and clicking "site home" on the left side of your screen.
 | Local Community ResourcesThese are local community resources that you might find helpful.
FOOD ASSISTANCE
Alameda County Community Food Bank
Guide to Food Resources in Alameda County
- Food Helpline (for anyone residing in Alameda County, no verification required) for information on food pantries and hot food services near you
- CalFresh (formerly food stamps, for US citizens, legal permanent residents, refugees)
- Meals on Wheels (for seniors who are homebound)
- Senior Brown Bag (for low income seniors over 60 years of age)
United Way Bay Area: Call 2-1-1 to speak with a local trained specialist who can connect you to services providing food, shelter, childcare, legal assistance, and more.
OTHER FORMS OF ASSISTANCE
Alameda County Rapid Response Resources: This pdf gives websites and information on essential help during this time. It indicates relaxation of government and business rules regarding wait times, scheduled payments and other help.
- Apply for CalFresh (formerly food stamps)
- EBMUD and PG&E moratoriums on service disconnection and bill reduction
- Rules for state disability and unemployment insurance for reasons of COVID-19
- Extension of state and federal tax filing deadlines
- AC Transit and BART changes in policy
- Cellular service hardship policies
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Community Offerings |
Lockdown by Richard Hendrick, OFM
Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
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So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.
(submitted by Mary Beth Lamb) |
Mental Health Tips for Social Distancing
This article suggests 10 practices for mental health while social distancing.
Voices of Santa Clara podcast
The Voices of Santa Clara Podcast, developed and hosted by SCU senior Gavin Cosgrave, released an episode on March 19 featuring Carly Lynch & Victor Lemus from Campus Ministry reflecting on "Embracing the Shelter-in-Place."
https://www.voicesofsantaclara.com/shelter-in-place
Victor and Carly share thoughtful observations and reflections and Gavin discusses briefly some of the things that he is processing right now as a graduating senior.
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JST Events |
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