The Spirit of Nazareth
Dear Members of the Center for Spirituality Communities
"In a world of noise, confusion and conflict it is necessary that there be places of silence, inner discipline and peace. In such places love can blossom." ~ Thomas Merton
Dear Members of the Center for Spirituality Communities,
I would like to acknowledge the deep concern and uncertainty our college community is experiencing with regard to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Please do know that Nadia and I are here to support you in any and every way we can. We cherish each of you and your student groups and activities, and we celebrate the interconnectedness, interdependence, and mutual care that characterizes CFS across the Nazareth campus.
Please know that until classes return to campus, religious services on campus are suspended. Over the next few days CFS will be sharing a number of virtual resources to sustain you and to keep us connected in this time. Including a way to sign up for individual appointments, services, group meetings and an online retreat via Zoom. Please watch your email!
For now, we offer you a few thoughts…
Caring for Self and Others in Times of Trouble: Some Spiritual Tools and Tips
1. Breathe. Breathe. Breathe some more. Take time in your day, at any moment, to take ten deep even breaths. Carve out 5-10 minutes to meditate or practice mindfulness or contemplative prayer. Start here, now, wherever you are.
2. Ground yourself in the present moment. Focus your awareness on something real, enduring, or beautiful in your surroundings. Look up often. Discover the wonder and awe that is already here.
3. Acknowledge your fears, anxieties, concerns. Offer them up in prayer, if you pray. Write them in your journal. Share them with others. Feel what you feel, honor it, and know that it is not the final word.
4. Create and sustain community. Show up for one another. Listen compassionately. Practice empathy. Even while avoiding “close physical contact,” message the people you care about. Stand with those most vulnerable and those who suffer the brunt of prejudice and fear. Check in on others.
5. Unplug, judiciously. While staying aware of developments, do not let the Corona-chaos govern you, but forgive yourself when and if it does.
6. Practice kindness. There is a temptation in health scares to view others as potential threats. Remember we are in this together. While practicing health guidelines and appropriate caution, remember to engage one another. Smile when you can. Bring good deeds and good energy into our world.
7. Stay healthy through sleep, diet, exercise. See healing and wellness holistically – mind, body, and spirit.
8. Be creative or get crafty (yes, Jamie still does not like crafts!). Discover, imagine, engage your hopes and fears, the beauty and ugliness of our world. Write, paint, sing, dance, create!
9. Practice gratitude. In the face of crises, make note of the things for which you are grateful: your breath, the particular shade of the sky at dusk – or dawn. The color blue, the color green, the gifts and strengths you have, other people in your life, the ability to laugh. A pet.
10. Connect with your spiritual, religious, humanist, cultural, or other communities. Find strength and solace and power in traditions, texts, rituals, practices, holy times and seasons.
11. Pray as you are able, silently, through song, in readings, through ancestors. Remember the long view of history, the rhythms and cycles of nature, the invisible threads that connect us all.
12. Practice hope. Trust in the future and our power to endure and persist, to live fully into the goodness that awaits.
Remember you are not alone. Ever. You are surrounded by care and support. Your Center of Spirituality chaplains and staff are here and available for you.
Social distancing does not mean we cannot be connected spiritually! We will get through this together!
Peace and blessings to you all,
Jamie Fazio, M.Div.
Director and Catholic Chaplain
Rev. Nadia L. Mullin
Protestant Chaplain
Warith El-Amin
Muslim Studnet Association Advisor
MSA@naz.eduHava Leipzig Holzhauer
Acting Hillel Advisor
Executive Director in Konar Center
Dr. Esperanza V. Roncero
Community & Belonging Scholar in Center for Spirituality