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BELLA VITA Issue#6 | Vol.12 | september 2020 PTAESRKFOINRMANCE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FAITH AND THE PANDEMIC: DO YOU OFTEN ASK GOD ON WHY HE DOES SUCH THINGS LIKE THE COVID-19? 9QUESTIONS TO TEST YOUR FAITH

A NOVEL

TABLE OF CONTENTS 02 Introduction 04 Times going to church 06 A Reason to continue 08 Faith Affected 11 Blame on God 12 Is it the end?

Performance Task in Religious Education Submitted by: Alvaran, Aleksie Calma, Louise Camacho, Aleli Diga, Kenn Oquialda, Jhona Submitted to: Ms. Ailene Ornalees October 2020

TSHTRYEFNAGITTHHEN The entire Catholic community is affected in one way or another by the coronavirus pandemic raging throughout the world. For many, this is a challenge to our faith and our understanding. How can this be happening? Where is God in all of this? How should we respond as people of faith? We offer these reflections to help Catholics think more deeply from a perspective of faith on the events now shaping our lives in big and little ways. We made questions and looked for respondents to know the effects of the lockdown / COVID 19 Pandemic to the faith and life of the Catholics especially during these times when churches are closed. BELLA VITA | 02

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HOW ARE YOU COPING UP TO THE EFFECTS OF THIS PANDEMIC ON YOUR FAITH? Being devoted Christians, the participants shared their coping up strategies regarding the effects of the pandemic to their faith. Other said that they participate on online activities and services of the church. Some participants stated that they are coping up using continuous prayer, listening to worship songs, daily devotions and unwavering trust to God. One of the participant being a senior citizen still go to the church but she is very careful and they only have the mass in a convent where they are few. BELLA VITA | 09

DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE MASS ON FACEBOOK OR OTHER CONFERENCE APPS? More than half of the participants answered that they are participating on online masses and activities of the church in the television, conference apps and other social networking sites however, 40% answered due to technical issues. BELLA VITA | 10

Do you often ask God on why he does such things like the Covid-19?   Trusting God is the most important aspect of our Christian faith. Less than half of the respondent shared that they did not question God about the current issue of COVID 19 but the majority sometimes asked God about these. People will always seek for answers especially the youth about the current problem that our world is experiencing but since no one can answer them asking God will be their alternative, however, according to them, they ask God but not questioned Him, they did not once even doubted God fully because they know that everything has a purpose and it is according to His Will. BELLA VITA | 11

Have you ever think that the reason why this pandemic is happening is because of the near end stated in the bible? The Rapture or the Second Coming of Jesus is said to be near because of a lot of evidences being seen according to what is written in the Bible. With this, the interviewers asked the participants if they ever think that the pandemic is related to it. This question can be related to their overall faith and trust to the Lord. Less than half of the participants answered that they sometimes think that this are related as per what is written in the book of Revelations. Another less than half stated that it is not related at all, however 20% shared that he/ she believed that this health phenomenon is related to the Second Coming of Jesus in the world and we must be ready for it. BELLA VITA | 12

“Why are you afraid? Have you no faith”? Faith begins when we realize we are in need of salvation.... Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them….The Lord asks us and, in the midst of our tempest, invites us to reawaken and put into practice that solidarity and hope capable of giving strength, support and meaning to these hours when everything seems to be floundering.... We have an anchor: by his cross we have been saved. We have a rudder: by his cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope: by his cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no one can separate us from his redeeming love. In the midst of isolation when we are suffering from...the loss of so many things, let us once again listen to the proclamation that saves us: he is risen and is living by our side…. Embracing his cross means finding the courage to embrace all the hardships of the present time, abandoning for a moment our eagerness for power and possessions in order to make room for the creativity that only the Spirit is capable of inspiring. It means finding the courage to create spaces where everyone can recognize that they are called, and to allow new forms of hospitality, fraternity and solidarity…. BELLA VITA