Continuing his mission using technology

Contributing writer Ottrisha Carter spoke with Fr Matthew Ragbir he’s doing during the pandemic.

Before the pandemic, technology played an important role in Fr Matthew Ragbir’s ministry. Over time, Father was able to recognise how technology enhances ministry.

He believes  it is important people learn to use technology well, for the sake of bringing others to experience the Good News of the gospel.

Fr Ragbir thinks that the pandemic has forced us into a “social experiment” in which we must come to terms with the digital world which has become the new norm.

He acknowledges that technology is having a positive impact on people’s lives since we can continue working, studying, and connecting with others. However, people are suffering from Zoom fatigue because of the amount of time that is being spent in front of the screen. In his opinion, the virtual world can never replace the real world.

To continue journeying with his parishioners, Fr Ragbir has made use of Zoom. Throughout the pandemic, he has been accompanying teenagers and young adults online. All his catechetical and faith formation programmes have been shifted online.

Recently, Fr Ragbir did an online Bible Study course about the Book of Revelation—Jesus and the end times, and an online course entitled ‘A Catholic Approach to Sexuality and Gender.’

He mentioned that there was a certain amount of adjusting from in-person activities to virtual activities, but we have to learn to adapt. As a parish, they were very patient with each other as they adjusted.

His parishioners were also given the opportunity to access training from the parish’s junior secretary, learning how to operate different platforms.

Through his parish’s Ministry Animation Team (MAT), Fr Ragbir is informed about his parishioners. “It’s impossible for the priest to be in contact with every parishioner.” Therefore, a database was created where parishioners’ contact information was included to form a Google map highlighting their address. They were then divided into parish cells and the Ministry Animation Team (MAT) is responsible for different groups of cells.

Each cell has a coordinator who reaches out to their members every two weeks, to check on them and provide a listening ear. The MAT is then able to provide Fr Ragbir with an update on his parishioners, who needs hampers and other forms of assistance. In addition, a parish WhatsApp group was formed and an email base for people.

Before the reopening of places of worship September 6, Fr Ragbir says he experiences a deep sadness when he must celebrate Mass virtually. He explained that the instruction of the Lord is to take and eat, do this in memory of Me.

God gathers us, we listen to the Word together, we break bread together and we witness to each other. He mentioned that there is a longing for Communion, the Body of Christ. “The priest and the people have a relationship,” he said.

The most challenging aspect of the pandemic for him is not being able to offer the sacraments to God’s people. The sacraments are the ordinary ways in which people experience grace, and people need the sacraments. He stated, “We are a sacramental people longing and yearning for God.”

Fr Ragbir’s advice to those who are struggling emotionally, “Pray, you are not alone. Reach out to others, to step out of yourself. We have to take this one day at a time, with God’s grace, sharing the cross together.”

His message of hope to those who have lost a loved one due to the coronavirus or suicide is “Turn to Jesus. Yes, we must grieve and experience pain and suffering, but our hope is in the Lord. Hear Jesus’ words, ‘… whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live.’ Death is not the end. God is with us and love always triumphs, God wins.”