Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

I have noticed that as we battle to return to some normalcy during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are certain aspects of life that we need to address. Of course, our first priority was an attempt to discover a vaccine and/or treatment for the coronavirus as quickly as possible. We needed to address overcrowded hospitals and health care facilities to ease the pressures on our front-line health care workers. Discovering a vaccine became a national priority.  

Understandably, attention to biological aspects of the pandemic would bring us some hope of returning to a normal routine. A vaccine would bring us some sense of safety and allow us to emerge from our national self-imposed isolation. As we start to approach 50 percent of the population vaccinated, I can detect individuals beginning to journey back to the workplace, to restaurants, and some public gatherings.

However, biology is only one aspect of human nature. I have stated this in the past, but I believe that as a priest and bishop, I am encountering the psychological aspect of the human construct with much more frequency. The emotional impact of the isolation, fear, and uncertainty, which the pandemic imposed on our families, friends, and communities, manifests the psychological aspect more profoundly. As a society, we have not properly addressed the effects of isolation and anxieties that have taken a toll on our relationships. During this pandemic, we have been separated from the very people who support and nourish our wellbeing. In some instances, we were even separated from our loved ones who died in loneliness or who suffered without the consolation of family members or friends. Some have been subjected to over-interaction with family members, leading to tension in the home without the natural separation that occurs with attending work or school.

Many people are in front of screens for 7 or 8 hours a day. As much of a blessing technology is for staying connected, it is not a replacement for face-to-face or in-person contact. We have not discussed the physical outbursts in families or the depression that accompanies much of the uncertainty, all of which stems from the pandemic experience. Now, as we begin to interact again, I believe that we must be sensitive to those who have been psychologically wounded by this pandemic.

Many people may not even be able to articulate why they feel the way they feel, but as family and friends, we can be a sounding board, allowing them to express whatever feelings they are encountering. I am told that the demands on counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists have increased tremendously during this pandemic. We must realize that it will take some time to achieve our emotional equilibrium. We can be of assistance in this process if we are aware of the need for patience and understanding with family members and friends. We must always address the whole person, understanding that the psychological aspect of our nature also needs our attention to achieve stability.

The last aspect for our consideration is the spiritual life. The aspect of spirituality has also suffered during the pandemic in the inability to take comfort in faith/service gatherings and the ability to pray with neighbors. Research studies maintain that individuals who attend religious services are remarkably much more satisfied with their lives than their secular counterparts who do not practice a religion. This makes sense because God directs our lives and calls forth trust in His love and mercy.

Many have told me of the tremendous feeling of satisfaction in their return to the Eucharist. One person said that it felt like receiving their First Holy Communion all over again. Uniting with Jesus in the Eucharist invites our Lord and Savior to be one with us during these moments of fear, depression, and uncertainties, and to know that the power of His love is given to us. It is our responsibility to take this love, with patience and understanding, to truly LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 

Note: This blog originally appeared as the April 27, 2021 "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.