By Herald Malaysia
Mar 9 2021
The members of the clergy from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur attended their three-day Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA) online from Jan 12-14, 2021
KUALA LUMPUR: The members of the clergy from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur attended their three-day Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA) online from Jan 12-14, 2021.
It was themed Reframing Meaning and Ministry in a Time of Crisis and Change.
During the three days, they shared on three broad aspects of Self (who am I as a person), parish (what I do as a person) and the support of the community and Archdiocese.
On the first day, the members of the clergy, in groups, shared on three questions which were later collated.
The focus was on personal: What happened to me, and how have I been coping? The dynamics that took place on the first day were:
–– From a short period of disorientation to recognising the need to reach out to help with selfcare and re-orientate the way we look at ministry – moving from church and to people of God.
–– Developed a sense of gratitude during this period.
–– Found a way to love the self a little more during the pandemic.
–– Acceptance of the situation was a first step towards finding creative ways to cope. What follows are their responses.
Day 1 – Focusing on Self (Who am I as a Person?)
1. How has the MCO in its various stages impacted me in my role as a priest?
Negatives
Priests were asked to share the impact of the MCO on them. Here are their responses.
Feelings and Emotions.
Some sensed feelings of meaninglessness and emptiness and they felt isolated and lonely.
Others felt unproductive, and feared that they may be carriers of the virus to others.
From time to time, some felt depressed, while others had a feeling of frustration due to the many uncertainties they were facing. They felt fearful as no one was around them. They were tired of excessive work or study.
Their sleep patterns were affected due to their lack of sleep.
With regard to their Work, many had slowed down because of the lockdown and lack of work. Their daily routine changed and the need for a diary did not arise.
They felt strange to celebrate the Mass all by themselves. Many felt fatigued and burned out with the ‘new normal’. They have recognised their limitations and their feelings of inadequacy and this has become a humbling experience and a steep learning curve.
The lockdowns have been testing the limits of both the government and the diocese.
In terms of relationships, many missed the personal touch with their parishioners, their handshakes and hugs.
The priests felt helpless as they were unable to greet the people, especially at wakes, funerals and weddings.
They also missed the face-to-face interactions at Masses, gatherings etc.
Positives
However, the MCO lockdown has helped the priests in their Prayer life as they had the time for a greater focus on God.
Many of them spent quality time during prayer, spiritual readings and Mass. This was also true of the communities, which have become more focused on their spiritual life.
Over time, many felt a change in their Feelings & emotions. Many were moving from denial to acceptance. Thus there was less fear of the new circumstances.
There was less grumbling and more acceptance of the situation.
Their pastoral Work
Many are using digital platforms (the new normal) in order to be in contact with their parishioners. The pandemic has generated great inter est in establishing a digital platform for online Masses. Thus, some are busier now, with more work than before.
For many, their relationships have deepened. They are appreciating more the value of the person than being functional in their ministries.
The online Masses have helped them to interact with the parishioners; and some have hoped that they can do more and better for the parishioners.
They are still keeping in touch with parishioners through online meetings.
They experienced better connections when the MCO was relaxed.
In terms of selF Care, the clergy have had more time for themselves, especially for prayer, reading, study and even cleaning their rooms.
They have begun to understand the importance of taking care of themselves first before starting to serve others.
Thus, they are more focused on their own personal life especially their health and fitness.
Many also had more time for self-improvement.
The pandemic enabled them to grow, learn new things like cooking, attending online courses, and learning to be more technologically savvy.
Many have found that their priorities have changed; things that were less important have become more important, and those which were more important have become less important.
2. What adjustments did I make (if any) to this new reality of not being able to administer the Sacraments or provide face-to-face pastoral support to my parishioners?
Negatives
In the second question, they shared on how they have adjusted to not being able to administer the Sacraments or provide faceto-face pastoral support.
Relationships
It was a great challenge for many diocesan priests (also religious) to be without their people.
When public Masses resumed, there was sadness too. Many missed seeing their parishioners’ smiles due to the wearing of facemasks. They were also sad that they were unable to see the elderly and the children due to age restrictions in the SOPs.
It was a challenge to meet the requests of the people for the Eucharist. Celebrating Mass on their own became a challenge.
In their Work, they found that their people were happy to be without meetings.
The priests also found that they needed to be content without meetings too.
However, in some places it was disheartening to see that the people did not move unless their priest moved.
The priests opened their doors to requests for pastoral needs.
Though there were no public Masses, the priests appreciated the openness of the people welcoming them to their homes, especially the homebound, to give Holy Communion, Anointing and Confession.
They are getting used to, and contented with contact and communications through phone calls, email, texts, online meeting, etc.
The online Masses for parishioners have helped them to have some interaction.
Feelings & Emotions
Many have moved away from feelings of loneliness to an acceptance of aloneness.
Work in the parish continued, with the PPC and catechesis still going strong. In some places, sessions or meetings were held via Zoom.
The BECs and other parish ministries were also encouraged to go online for meetings and classes.
The priests also ensured that they were in constant contact with leaders and those in need.
They took the initiative to collaborate with the lay people by empowering the BECs and PIHDM.
Many had to establish digital platforms for live streaming.
Many priests still continued their visits to families.
To ensure that the Sacraments were still administered, time slots were given for Confession and sick calls. Some priests still discreetly administered the other Sacraments.
Some even organised Communion ‘drive-ins’.
Many had more time for prayer. Some felt a sense of oneness due to the online Adoration and online programmes.
3. Have you or others noticed any change(s) — spiritually, emotionally, physically and psychologically?
Negatives
In the third question, the clergy looked at how they have changed in their interactions with others and self. Even if they have noticed changes, they were not telling.
They won’t speak out. Some were irritated by the behaviour of the parishioners.
Whenever a new notice is released with regards to the SOPs for places of worship, many of the parishioners did not understand it. Many felt judged, as if they were not fulfilling the people’s needs.
There were comparisons made between parishes and priests availability for marriages, Masses, funerals.
There were people who were upset with their priests.
Some felt that they have grown smaller physically while for others it is the reverse.
Positives
In their prayer life, many felt that they have grown spiritually.
There is an improvement in their spiritual lives. Many have learnt to be more grateful, to share more, and not to work themselves to death.
Many have become better at Self Care. They feel that they have further deepened in all aspects. They have become emotionally less stressed, more calm, less lonely or frustrated.
Many have decided to pursue health and fitness regimes, as to be healthier and to lose weight.
Psychologically, some have broken the barrier of celebrating online Masses, especially reservations about facing the camera.
Session 2: What did I do to cope with the stressors of what happened to me during the MCO? Think about your coping in the following areas:
Relationships, Physical Wellness, Changing your thinking, Reframing Purpose and Meaning, Seek Help
Relationships
At first, it was a struggle for many at the beginning of the MCO with no face-to-face meetings.
They felt the tension of practising social distancing while at the same time trying to maintain close relationships.
However, the usage of smartphones and online technology helped the priests to keep in touch with others and they began to learn to cope with the new norm.
Some of the priests attended psychological first aid courses online where they learnt how to help themselves first before helping others, and learnt self-care and coping skills, especially in helping those in need.
Some had online counselling with peer consultation.
For the religious, they found that having regular meals together built stronger bonds. Others found maintaining relationships with other priests made them realise that they were not alone. Solidarity helped them cope in these new living conditions. They also made efforts to meet online on a regular basis, in the evening, for coffee. Some ensured that they had weekly group video calls with their families.
Some found comfort with their parishioners and joined the BECs for their online rosary for the months of May and October.
The members of the clergy also took the initiative to stay connected with their parishioners especially the elderly.
The online Masses helped the priests to communicate with their parishioners.
Many offered Masses for friends and parishioners.
Online formation, community support and their staff helped in navigating this new normal.
Many felt a sense of purpose, staying focused on work relationships and on maintaining good relationships in spite of the social distancing and face mask usage.
Physical and Spiritual Wellness
Many priests took this time to develop their prayer life by praying the Rosary more, saying the Divine Office daily, and celebrating Masses.
Some took to meditation (to have some quiet time with the Lord) hence achieving a deeper solitude with and feeling closer to, Christ.
Others attended retreats and talks.
Some also used this time to do spiritual readings, while others joined the BECs for their online gatherings and rosary recitations.
Besides their spiritual wellness, they also took the time to improve their diet and exercise (cycling, jogging, Tabata etc).
Changing your thinking
Some of the priests tried to handle too many things, spreading themselves thin and thus resulting in them feeling helpless. Now many have moved towards doing what they can rather than doing things beyond their control.
They have realised that the new normal is going to be the next normal now.
They no longer feel that they are in a nightmare. They are able to face this new reality.
They are no longer in denial and have acknowledged their loneliness.
They are now looking positively for new meaning in life, and are at peace.
Many have searched for new ways of reaching out to the people (creative thinking).
They are also open to having more involvement of the laity.
Reframing purpose and meaning
The pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have forced the members of the clergy to rethink ways of ministry and to find new meaning in their priesthood. Their ministry which is centred around the altar has been hindered. There needs to be a shift from being a dispenser of sacraments to a pastor of souls.
Many have begun to accept the shift they are going through and they have found a renewal in their calling. They have become comfortable in their solitude and no longer see it as loneliness.
There are some who used the time to rediscover the call of their priesthood and rediscovered that the priesthood is not just about doing but being.
The support they received from lay people also helped them rediscover the meaning of the priesthood. They have learnt to be part of the solution rather than being part of the problem and have realised that they as the Church can take the lead in helping the world cope with the pandemic.
They have discovered that they need to reach out from the heart, not just intellectually.
Many are also willing to reach out first, rather than waiting for others to approach them.
Seek Help
The clergy used this time to sit before the Lord (Blessed Sacrament) to seek His help. Prayer and meditation have also helped.
Some preferred sharing with the priests/ confidantes or close confreres. While others had a Peer Counselling Group.
They found that having family and friends who support and challenge them was helpful.
The care and concern showed by parishioners who were always there to lend a hand was also very good.
They’re also grateful for the Archdiocese’s and Archbishop Julian Leow’s funding and moral support.
The priests had also mobilised their parishioners to help others through the PIHDs and BECs. They have had a sense of satisfaction in touching the lives of the people. – Herald Malaysia
