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January 8, 2021By The Catholic Free Press
The work of diocesan departments located in the Chancery continued during the pandemic with some accommodations. New ways of communicating were used and many of them will stay around after the pandemic is gone.
Leaders answered the question: How are you dealing with keeping your department going during this pandemic?
Office of the Diaconate
Deacon William A Bilow Jr., director
The Office of the Diaconate has been able to continue operations since the start of the pandemic without missing a beat, making extensive use of remote communications and technologies.
•How are you able to work outside the office?
From the first day I entered the office three years ago, I had transferred all my electronic files to the cloud .... This technology allows me secure remote access to my records, except for hardcopy files that are stored in physical filing cabinets. We had also procured laptops for Kathleen Barrett, administrative assistant, and myself for work-at-home use. Kathy uses a remote desktop solution to access her office desktop and electronic files. These technologies have proved to be highly effective in allowing us to continue working without the need to be physically present in the office.
•How do you access office records?
If I need any physical records when I’m not in the office, Kathy Barrett scans and emails them to me. Similarly, if I need letters to be printed on office letterhead, I place my digital signature in the Word document and email it to Kathy for printing.
Do you use other technology?
In addition to remote connectivity, we use remote voice mail messaging through Outlook to receive voice mails and respond accordingly. Group staff meetings, as well as one-on-one meetings with candidates, deacons, and potential applications are mostly held through Zoom or telephone, depending on the type of discussion.
•Diaconate candidates are required to take classes as part of their training. How did you handle classroom work?
Most of our candidate classes are held remotely if the instructor is able to support it. Classes are only held in person if the class size is small and safety protocols can be enforced. At Anna Maria College, we have moved to an online model using Zoom for face-to-face instruction, and Engage for online postings. St. Joseph College classes were already fully remote, thus making it easy to continue instruction for the remaining candidates enrolled in St. Joseph’s program.
•Do you have any in-person meetings?
On those occasions when a true face-to-face meeting is needed, such as with pastors or in the Chancery, we hold them on location while still adhering to the safety protocols for sanitizing, face masks, and social distancing.
Our annual candidate retreat was held on site in August, as customary, but with the necessary safety measures. We were able to do so because of the limited number of candidates currently in formation.
Our annual retreat for deacons and wives was held in September, but through Zoom because of the number of participants (about 45) in attendance. Although we missed the personal connection and fellowship by not gathering together, the feedback from the participants was very favorable.
Lastly, as members of the National Association of Diaconate Directors, we attend regular meetings with our brother directors in the Northeast region. These meetings are conducted through Zoom, and seminars are offered to deacons for continuing education in a similar fashion.
•Are there events that were not held because of the pandemic?
We postponed the Mass of Remembrance for deceased deacons and wives that we had originally planned to take place in May.
Although we certainly miss the personal, face-to-face connection, we have been able to continue operations without any difficulty. We do look forward to the day when we can resume “business as usual” and restore the personal fellowship we cherish as a diaconate community.
Office of
Religious Education
Elizabeth A Marcil,
director
•How did you stay in contact with catechetical leaders during the pandemic?
The ORE has been busy trying to support catechetical leaders. We started a weekly Flocknote last fall (prior to the pandemic) which has been well received and has been a particularly helpful means of communication.
•How did you help catechetical leaders stay in touch with students?
When we were shut down, parishes were in the midst of preparing children and young people for first Eucharist and confirmation. The Office of Religious Education turned its attention to finding materials that catechetical leaders could use remotely.
Both Mary Pat Heelan and Darleen Farland, associate directors, offered Zoom classes on how to use Zoom.
Mary Pat Heelan, a certified Catechesis of the Good Shepherd formation leader, ran a weekly book club on Zoom for those already involved in CGS and those who were thinking of starting. CGS has 10 programs in the diocese and another four were ready to open before we were shut down. There has been a lot of interest.
•How have the parishes responded?
During the summer, we helped parishes plan for the fall – to be ready for gathered, remote or hybrid models.
In a recent survey, we asked parishes to report whether or not they had begun their programs and what model they were using. The 80 parishes that have reported so far are mostly using hybrid models with some gathered sessions – especially for sacramental preparation.
Eight parishes hired new catechetical leaders this fall. This is a particularly difficult time for them since they do not know the families or the catechists. We have had meetings with all of them and continue to try support them.
•Bishop McManus allowed pastors to confirm young people in their parishes. How did the office help?
We worked with the Office for Worship to help parishes plan for the celebration of these sacraments in their parishes during the late spring and summer.
•As the pandemic continues, what is the office working on?
In March, the Vatican promulgated a new Directory for Catechesis – the third since Vatican II. We will be working on revising/updating our diocesan policy manual this winter. We are also looking at new material for Safe Environment Education.
On-line catechist and catechetical leader training continues.
The silver lining is that more of our leaders are learning how to use, and seeing the possibilities offered by, technology.
OFFICE OF STEWARDSHIP
AND DEVELOPMENT
Michael P. Gillespie,
director
•The pandemic coincided with the opening of the 2020 Partners in Charity. How did that affect the campaign?
Partners in Charity 2020, as you all know, raised $4,379,895 with 12,542 gifts (88% of goal). A week before In Pew Sunday the governor of Massachusetts issued a decree closing all businesses and organizations that do not provide COVID-19 essential services.
•What did you do?
In response to this new guideline, and with the Chancery being closed to all but essential workers, the dedicated Development staff adapted and three days a week office assistants Hillary Watson and Lisa Turpin came in the office and entered gifts, completed financial reports to the finance department, and produced parish reports. When working remotely, at home, they entered gifts, returned calls to parishes and donors and continued to send necessary reports.
•Did you have to change how you solicit gifts?
The summer months historically are slower times for the Development Office. This year was much different; our office was busy doing everything we could possibly do to bring in every gift, but doing it in a sensitive way, knowing that many of our donors could possibly be sick or be experiencing financial ramifications.
•The annual fundraiser to Celebrate Priesthood was different this year.
On Monday, October 26, we held our 7th Taste of the Diocese. Although it was virtual, it was quite successful. We have received 1,051 gifts of support. Our advertisers nearly doubled and our supporters also doubled. Thanks to the Communications Office, we had a live production from the Cathedral of St. Paul. Many viewed it live and it was made available by Flocknote to all the parishes. We look forward to returning next year to the atrium at St. Vincent Hospital.
•How did the pandemic affect the Legacy of Hope capital campaign and other fundraising by the office?
Block III was temporarily put on hold at the end of March due to COVID-19. All Guidance in Giving staff went home for close to four months.
•Did the office carry on the work?
Throughout the spring Lisa and Hillary received payments, made weekly deposits received from Block 1 and Block 2 donors and provided reports to parishes when requested. In April, Block 1 parishes received their promised second parish-share disbursement (40%) and in July, Block 1 and Block 2 parishes received another disbursement. These payments are made quarterly. Block 3 parishes conducted their campaign.
•How will the campaign change?
Block 4 parishes will start LOH in March of 2021. This is the final block of all parishes. Mindful of the COVID-19 guidelines put forth by the diocese, the Guidance in Giving team continues to conduct safe receptions.
AFRICAN MINISTRY
Father Enoch K. Kyeremateng, chaplain
The office keeps running, as you know, meeting the needs of Africans in the diocese. Currently, the office still operates at the usual hours while meeting some people who wish to see me outside the building, with all the social distancing protocols.
•Has there been an increased need for services?
I do counseling and (spiritual) direction now on the phone during and after office hours. Marital and family issues are coming up frequently. Also, I am dealing with and assisting some people living with fear and anxieties during this COVID.
•How have the communities fared?
So far, so good, the African communities haven’t had severe casualties with the virus. Few tested positive initially but are doing very well. The office is in constant contact, checking with its members in prayer and support. Various communities also have welfare plans to support those severely hit with work constraints due to the pandemic.
•Do the communities still gather?
The various communities have Mass every Sunday. We continue to have our Holy Hour once a month (every first Thursday). We do all these following strict protocols. The rest of our prayers are on a conference call and Zoom.
•Do you have any words of hope?
All we can say is that, with God, we stand in faith and hope. This, too, shall pass.
