This new time of social distancing has made it difficult to see practically anyone — we don't go out, we don't gather as we used to — but I fear it has made it uniquely hard to see the poor.

If this is true, it will influence our spirituality.

In the words of Fr. Pedro Arrupe, "In the end, Jesus did not teach an ascending mysticism of closed eyes, but rather a God-mysticism with an increased readiness for perceiving, a mysticism of open eyes, which sees more and not less." Each of us must examine our experience of quarantine and discern if we have been separated from the poor — and thus separated from Christ himself.

Make no mistake — it's in the most troubling times in history that God chooses to reveal himself and raise up great saints to witness to his mercy! Now it's up to each of us to ask:

• How will God reveal himself to me anew in the poor during this time?
• How will God reveal his presence and his mercy to the world through me?

Through my position in the Office of Christian Service, I have seen firsthand the radical compassion that many have shown to the least among us in this unprecedented time.

The Church has not stood down — we have numerous Christian service ministers, social service ministries, priests and parishioners who have continued manning their posts through the worst of this pandemic!

Unleash the Gospel calls all members of the Church to participate in the New Evangelization and "actively seek the spiritual and social renewal of [our] neighbourhoods, schools and places of work."

In times of intense crisis, we can be distracted by a need to save the whole world — and so it is important to remember that Jesus most often healed and transformed people one at a time. Therefore, it makes no difference if you feed your neighbour by delivering groceries to one doorstep or by running a food pantry if what you are doing is what Christ has called you to do!

Each of the corporal works is a visible and tangible act through which we reveal the presence and love of God the Father to the world:

• Feed the Hungry
• Give Drink to the Thirsty
• Shelter the Homeless
• Visit the Sick
• Visit the Prisoners
• Bury the Dead
• Give Alms to the Poor continue reading

But a group of high school students are determined to make a difference with their very own winter project. Continue reading

As I start to emerge, slowly and falteringly, from it all, now seems like a good time for a hopefully more hopeful update. Let's call it getting into the Advent spirit. Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death's dark shadows put to flight and all that.

So here's a few more-or-less spiritual things - alongside a good deal of other stuff too - I've learnt or am learning.

The first is that, however well-meant, interpreting clinical depression in the theologised language of "the dark night of the soul" or "the desert" isn't actually very helpful. I'm not saying that it never is.

But for me, St John of the Cross's account of "when this purgative contemplation oppresses a man" has much too romantic an air to feel like a helpful interpretation of spending five months eating a lot, an awful lot, of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes.

That's not to say that I've gleaned nothing significant from my illness. Far from it. Mental illness has been a hard lesson in humility. However steadfast a disciple I might like to be, I know that I am only ever a tiny amount of serotonin away from being too "lukewarm" even to pray, for weeks on end.

With few prayerful thoughts to call my own, I have been forced to rely on the piety of others. I am lucky enough to have many willing intercessors, adding their prayers, rosaries, Mass intentions in aid of my recovery. Simply knowing that has been a genuine consolation.

Truly, at times it has felt like the opening scene of It's a Wonderful Life. It has also brought home to me, in vividly relatable terms, the communion of the saints, and the ancient practice of praying for the living and dead as a supremely practical "work of mercy". Continue reading

• Stephen Bullivant directs the Benedict XVI Centre for Religion and Society at St Mary's University, Twickenham

Te Whare O Te Redeemed Fellowship has gained the lease for a building in suburban Waerenga Rd, near a kindergarten and a retirement village, and is planning to make it a house where ex-prisoners can learn life skills and reintegrate. Continue reading