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Archives: September 2020
Surviving 2020 Employment Ministry Webinar Series
Surviving 2020 Employment Ministry Webinar Series
It’s true, 2020 has been a challenging year. Moving to online everything has been energy-changing for all of us, but we are so very thankful to be able to continue to connect with you through virtual technologies! Our partner in employment, To Find Your Fit, has developed new coaching services and webinar programs that we hope will inspire and encourage you.
If you are in transition of any kind we hope you will join us for our upcoming free webinars. For more information, contact Janet Grove.
Upcoming Free Webinars – Registration Required:
Building Your Brand for Marketing Materials (Resume and LinkedIn boosters)
Thursday, October 8, 7:00-8:00pm
Presenters: Cindy Edwards and Renee Wharton
Come build a personal brand statement, aka, a 30 second commercial, that represents who you are, what you do best, and where you want to go. Learn how to apply your branding to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Plus, gain insights on how to use your brand language when introducing and representing yourself to others.
Registration Required: https://tofindyourfit.com/events/building-your-brand-for-marketing-materials-resume-and-linkedin-boosters/
Interviewing Power: Strategies for Virtual Interviewing during a Pandemic
Thursday, October 29, 7:00-8:00pm
Presenters: Cindy Edwards and Renee Wharton
Come learn an easy to remember 4-part interview process that you can apply in all types of interviewing, from HR phone screens to the dreaded virtual group interview. We will discuss pre-interview stress management and post interview follow-up strategies. Learn how to sell and protect yourself by asking strategic questions to an employer without the fear of losing a job offer.
Registration Required: https://tofindyourfit.com/events/interviewing-power-strategies-for-virtual-interviewing-during-a-pandemic/
Managing Stress and Building Resiliency
Thursday, November 12, 7:00-8:00pm
Presenters: Cindy Edwards and Victor Massaglia
Are you stressed out or bored with work or life? Both conditions create the same response: a lack of energy to do anything! Come learn proven stress management techniques to improve your productivity and get back on track towards achieving your goals. Let’s do this.
Registration Required: https://tofindyourfit.com/events/managing-stress-and-building-resiliency/
Message from Fr. Bauer: Opening 4:30pm Mass Next Sunday
Basilica Community,
I hope this message finds you and your family continuing to stay well during these very challenging times.
As I mentioned previously, at the present time almost all of our activities at The Basilica, with the exception of the celebration of the sacraments, are being done virtually. However, given our success in regard to opening The Basilica for daily and Sunday Masses, it makes sense that we explore whether or not we can resume other activities on our campus.
In this regard, a little over a week ago we resumed our 7:00am Mass Monday through Friday. You don’t have to pre-register for this Mass, but you will need to register on-site prior to Mass.
Beginning Sunday, September 27 we will resume our 4:30pm Mass on Sunday afternoon. As with our 11:30am Sunday Mass and our daily Noon Mass, you will need to pre-register to attend this Mass. You can do this via our website or by calling the parish office. We ask people to pre-register so that we will have your contact information in the unlikely event that we need to do contact tracing. We will continue to livestream our 9:30am Mass on Sundays.
We have also begun to consider resuming some activities on our campus on a case by case basis. Our standard will be ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of the participants or attendees. When there are activities on our campus, we will use the same protocols we currently use to check people in for the celebration of daily and Sunday Masses, weddings, and funerals.
As I mentioned last week, one of the activities that definitely is not taking place virtually is the ongoing maintenance of our beautiful Basilica. This past week we began some masonry restoration work on the west exterior wall of The Basilica above the doors near the Mary Garden. This work is needed to seal the mortar and prevent further water damage.
As part of this project, we will also install an additional 10-12 moisture monitors in the church interior, and evaluate next steps for moisture testing and work needed to continue to dry out the church interior. We are very blessed and fortunate that this work is being paid for by The Basilica Landmark.
As always, if you have questions or concerns about anything that is happening at The Basilica, please contact me at the parish office or send me an email. My contact information is available on our parish website.
As always, if you would like further information about our protocols or if you have questions or concerns, please contact me at the parish office or send me an email. My contact information is available on our parish website.
Thank you for your continued prayers and your financial support. Please know they are appreciated more than you know.
God of all hope we call on you today.
We pray for those who are living in fear:
Fear of illness, fear for loved ones, fear of other’s reactions to them.
May your Spirit give us a sense of calmness and peace.
We pray for your church in this time of uncertainty.
For those people who are worried about attending worship.
For those needing to make decisions in order to care for other
For those who will feel more isolated by not being able to attend.
Grant us your wisdom.
Holy God, we remember that you have promised that
Nothing will separate us from your love – demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ.
Help us turn our eyes, hearts and minds to you.
Amen
Upcoming Events
News and Resources
Many of us mourn the changes, big and small, to our everyday life due to COVID-19. We yearn for a return to “normal” and wonder if that is even possible, much less when. We long for our familiar routines, hugs with friends and family, a return to school, work, and serving, and much more. Many grieve the passing of a loved one. The past few months have altered who we are, both individually and collectively.
In times of change and turmoil, one constant is that God is with us and we are able to share all of these feelings and worries with our loving God. The other constant is our faith community.
While we have had to adapt, The Basilica is the same in many ways. We offer sandwiches, coffee, and a warm greeting to our neighbors in need. We have beautiful liturgies and insightful homilies, with options for in-person and livestream attendance. We share a variety of prayer services online and offer in-person reconciliation. We celebrate music and sacred art in a variety of forms and origins. We commence another year of religious education for our children and youth, plus an updated, flexible RCIA process to accommodate the needs and timing of our candidates. We accompany the unemployed/underemployed, the grieving, and those struggling with the burdens of life. We are offering thought-provoking programming on faithful citizenship, immigration, mental health, and more. We will even offer a drive-up opportunity to get your fall pumpkins, brought directly to your car.
One of my roles during COVID-19 is to manage the brief check-in and health screening process for guests on campus. I’ve been moved by people’s support, patience, and graciousness as we adapt to a new way of coming to The Basilica—thank you. Many have expressed gratitude for the extra steps we take to welcome you back safely.
It’s been an honor to meet more parish members and visitors, and to hear your stories. People have been visibly moved by the experience of physically returning to their beloved Basilica. Pre-registered Mass visitors from out-of-state are awed by seeing our beautiful building for the first time. We even welcomed a koala stuffed animal (wearing its own custom face mask!), carried by a young girl wearing her Sunday best.
As our times of uncertainty linger, we invite you to engage with your spiritual home, with your Basilica. We proudly continue to be a place of worship, a place of refuge, and a place of peace—seeking the well-being of our city and world.
