Wow... Who expected our Lenten path would take the dramatic turn it has taken? Daily now, we are grappling with life-altering changes in the United States as we strive to remain infection free or contain the pandemic virus known as COVID-19. Containment via social distancing, was novel at first and optional. Now the decisions to keep us apart are being made for us. Across the country, our bishops have excused us from public Sunday Mass, prayer services such as Stations of the Cross, Holy Week services, and now even Easter Sunday Mass. Since Catholics are so limited in praying as a congregation, listening to Catholic radio opens some avenues to spiritual growth. As our options have narrowed to busy ourselves, listening and praying with Oklahoma Catholic Radio can sharpen our focus on what God intends for each of us through our Lenten practices and deliver hope.
 
It was enlightening to hear Joan Lewis on "Kresta in the Afternoon" describe her ordeal recently returning to her Rome apartment from New York City. It was a timely reminder of what our brothers and sisters around the globe are enduring. On the feast of St. Joseph, March 19th, did you join Pope Francis, along with Archbishop Coakley, in praying the Luminous mysteries of the rosary? Our prayers were offered for all suffering from the effects of this "health emergency".
 
We cannot personally gather for Mass, but we can turn on our radios every morning and pray at 7AM as Mass is celebrated and broadcast from the EWTN Chapel. Throughout the day, there are other prayer opportunities aired on OKCR such as the rosary with Mother Angelica at 4:30AM for early birds and the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3PM every day.
 
As social distancing and isolation become realities, we will crave hearing "the news". Keep up with "Catholic Connection","The World Over with Raymond Arroyo", and "Vatican Insider". When doubts and worries overtake, our own Deacon Larry Sousa and Fred Pope can satisfy the yearnings in our hearts proclaiming the Sunday Scriptures and offering reflections  with "Good News Sunday"  at 3:30PM every Thursday and Friday.
 
Oklahoma Catholic Radio is a balm for this unsettling new normal that threatens us with unknown and serious consequences. It disposes us to pivot in hope towards God as expressed in Roman's 8:28:  "...that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God."