Catholic Review Tips for finding a soulful place in our hearts

It is 8:09 a.m. the day after Thanksgiving. I am sitting on my deck at my home in Baltimore County overlooking the beautiful countryside. It is a tepid morning. I have a soft grey blanket around my shoulders and a steaming cup of coffee on the table beside my sunshine-yellow Adirondack chair while my small pup noses around in the grass below.

It is quiet, except for the occasional cows that mooooo in some unseen distant field … or when a donkey braaaaays from a farmhouse across the stream … then just now, hundreds of geese squaaaaawk by as they fly somewhere in the cloudy sky on their way to somewhere important only the geese know.

I smile as I listen to this assorted chatter from God’s animals, breaking the silence, and I think … what a pleasant way to spend reflective time with him, even though I am not sitting in a church pew. His animals, his sounds, his creations. It’s a sort of “church” for me, sitting there.

During these pandemic days of dispensation from attending Sunday Mass in person, we can get creative with ways to be “in church.” How else can we sit with God? Take pleasure in his creation. Move to a soulful place in our hearts and peaceful mode in our minds.

Visit someone special
If safely possible, could we visit a parent, aunt, brother-in-law or neighbor while they are isolated in an assisted living or nursing home? Perhaps gift them a small holiday goody or pretty greeting card to brighten their afternoon?
My mamma, 87, who lives in an assisted living, was unable to venture out for Thanksgiving without facing a 2-week quarantine, so my brother and I visited her that morning armed with steaming coffee, coffee cake, and ricotta cheese dribbled with honey (an Italian thing). I decorated an outside table (we aren’t allowed inside visits) with a yellow tablecloth and a foldable paper turkey, ‘give thanks’ napkins, and leaf-shaped placemats. Thankfully, it was a warm sunny morning, and at least we were able to spend part of Thanksgiving with Mamma. I know she appreciated it since she couldn’t share the holiday with her four children and our families as usual.

Go outdoors
We can be easily with God in “nature’s church” via a walk on a hike and bike trail through the woods or around the neighborhood, strolling along a beach, sitting on a dock or a rock or even on a bike. The outdoors offer beautiful and quiet reflection together … us and God. Outdoors is where I feel closest to him. If the sky is doing its magic with cotton candy clouds of various colors at dusk … that’s a lovely bonus.

Pray with a friend
Perhaps we schedule a morning of coffee, breakfast and conversation with a like-minded faith-filled friend; we might walk away inspired. Be sure to pray together a prayer of gratitude before you eat. Could you plan a small pajama party with several siblings? Go to sleep and wake up in the same house, like you did as children. Play a game after dinner, laugh, reminisce. Enjoy quality time and a chat over breakfast before the day takes over. On Halloween, I did this with my three siblings – it was marvelous to have such good quality time together. We feel like kids again when we’re together. It’s fun. Family time is good “church” time.

Go to a graveyard
Maybe you can visit a favorite religious statue or even a graveyard and simply sit. Set aside some tranquil time to be contemplative whether you are visiting a loved one’s headstone or not. Graveyards do not have to feel sad – I find them quite beautiful! Merely looking around at the plethora of marble statues of Jesus, angels, Mother Mary or the beautifully designed mausoleums is an activity. Graveyards fascinate me – truly a field of angels!

When I visit my family in Sardinia, Italy, one of my favorite things to do is walk to the end of the village to visit several statues lined up overlooking the mountains: Padre Pio … the Blessed Mother Mary. Dozens of rosaries, trinkets and mementos have been placed at their feet – so lovely to think of the Italian villagers and visitors praying here. On another side of the ancient village is a graveyard. I visit it alone purposely so as to say ciao to my ancestors in the slim eight-drawer mausoleum that is our family’s. My great-grandparents and several aunts and uncles are buried in those drawers. It is quite emotional – they are my roots. The graveyard itself is quite picturesque. I definitely feel as if I am in church while strolling around to view other family names and photos on the headstones. Oh how many souls God has now with him!

God is everywhere with us. He sends us good people to be with and pretty places in which to spend time. Until you decide you’re ready to return to your parish (if you have not already; I feel comfortable attending my St. Leo’s on Sundays which is uncrowded), know there are many ways to be soulfully “in church” while outside of church. Whether with God’s animals, people or nature, all of his creations are “churches.”