How to Keep Sunday Holy
& Participate in Virtual Mass

1. Watch a recording or livestream of the Mass
   1. Gather as a family, with a small group of friends or neighbors or by yourself, and watch the Mass.
   2. Visit our parish website at www.st-bernards.org to watch a recording of the Sunday Mass celebrated by our parish priests.
   3. We can make an offering in our heart to be united spiritually to this offering.
   4. We should silence our phones, eliminate (as best we can!) distractions in our home, and try to give all of our attention to what is happening at the Mass so we can fully participate in this remote way.
2. Make a Spiritual Communion
   1. While we are temporarily unable to receive the Eucharist at Mass, the Church encourages us to make an act of “spiritual communion,” where we unite ourselves to God through prayer. It is a beautiful way to express to God our desire to be united with him when we are unable to complete that union in the reception of Holy Communion.
   2. “My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.”
3. Read the Sunday readings as a family
   1. Reading Scripture individually or together with others — especially in our families — is an excellent spiritual practice.
   2. By thinking about the readings, asking questions, and listening to how God might respond in your heart, the Sunday readings can provide spiritual nourishment to you and your loved ones.
   3. During this time of “social distancing,” you could also reach out to a friend from church to have this conversation together.
   4. We have a link to the daily readings on the Home page of our parish website at www.st-bernards.org or go to www.usccb.org/bible/readings
4. Check in on those around you
   1. It is a great act of charity to reach out to these brothers and sisters in our faith communities to check in on them.
   2. The elderly person you may sit near at Mass each weekend may be home alone and lonely. If you have a way of reaching out to them, please do so.
5. Pray a family Rosary
   1. Praying the Rosary as a family is a way to be united to Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Mother of the Church. She is the perfect model of a disciple and our great intercessor.