Items

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  12/03/2021

  Brad Peterson Oral History, 2021/12/03

  Brad Peterson is currently a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boyceville, Wisconsin. In this interview, Brad discusses COVID-19 and its impact on his career as a pastor, the community’s response to the pandemic, and his personal life. He talks about the challenges he has faced, specifically, living within a community that has shown resistance to COVID-19 regulations. COVID-19 has created many implications but Brad tries to focus on the positive outcomes of COVID-19. For example, Trinity Church now offers online worship and will continue to offer online services as it has proven to be a popular and comfortable way to worship.
• 2022-04-29

  How Covid- 19 has impacted my life

  On the 11th of March 2020, COVID 19 was declared a global pandemic. With such an explosive magnitude and wide reach, the world braced for its impact. Lockdowns were set in place in every country, travel was shut down, and grocery stores were often out of many essential items. Many have lost their jobs or sources of income, Many of us have battled this virus and lost loved ones to it. For better or worse COVID 19 has changed us permanently. The impact of COVID-19 is observed in every sector around the world. It has affected education systems worldwide. After attending classes in person for the majority of my life the transition to being a full-time student online was not a simple adjustment. I encountered feelings of anxiety about my classes and was overwhelmed by having to move back home from the dorms. Thankfully the support from my family was encouraging. Being an online student has taught me more about time management than anything else and procrastination became a close friend. Missing out on class activities and gathering on campus have been discouraging. I felt as though I was missing out on the college experience and felt left out. It's important to remember while I am feeling these emotions so there are many more. Being able to connect with other people and share our experiences have opened up doors to new friendships. I would be lying if I said I did not have trouble going to sleep at night during these difficult times. Especially when I would constantly hear the news about how the elderly are more vulnerable to exposure to the virus. The thought of losing a family member is terrifying. Before the pandemic, I would often visit my family who lives in Mexico once a year during the summer, but traveling was no longer an option, the risk was too high. As times have passed I am more comfortable traveling and being able to see loved ones. Similar to schools, churches also went online. Before COVID I was really involved with the staff team at my local church. I constantly helped with volunteer activities, I helped in the kid's ministry, and I also helped with the church's coffee bar. With the transition online I lost the sense of community and fellowship. Many of the kids graduated out of the program online and it was difficult not to be able to celebrate in person. With every transition, I learned that adapting is the best form of survival, I cannot predict the future and I don't know what this year will unfold, but I will do my best to express gratitude for my health, and for my family’s health.
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  2021-10-27

  Student Support Services

  The pandemic no doubt brought a lot of mental stress into student's life. The result of this stress was the mental health support, via St. Mary's University, reaching out to the student population, as well as the ministry aiding in the mental health of students.
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  2021-05-17

  Ministry During the Pandemic

  The experience of being a priest during the pandemic
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  2020-10-21

  Arumi Ortiz Oral History, 2020/10/21

  This is an oral history with Arumi Ortiz conducted by Victoria Villaseñor. Arumi was born in Veracruz, Mexico and moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma when she was 15 years old. Arumi is now a senior at St. Mary's University.
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  04/20/2020

  Reverend John Restrepo Outdoor Ministry, New Orleans, LA

  A photo of Rev. John Restrepo, pastor of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Lakeview, who, when the quarantine started and the church had to close, moved his ministry outdoors. He has come outside most days and continues hearing confessions, talking to parishioners, and offering advice and counsel. Last Monday when I drove by the church, there were four people (at appropriate distances) waiting to speak to Restrepo. In March, the New Orleans Advocate did a piece on him: https://www.nola.com/multimedia/photos/collection_86663b02-6ac5-11ea-84a7-0fae923e109c.html#1