As lockdown eases and many families make their way back to their parishes to attend Mass in person, for some it may still be difficult to attend Sunday Mass. Celebrating Mass as a family via a livestream (although not always easy to pull off!) can actually be a great opportunity to nurture our family’s spiritual life and for encouraging our children to engage with our faith in a relaxed, ‘natural’ setting.

We do receive real spiritual graces from online participation, which can also provide an oasis for calm reflection and gratitude for our blessings, as well as some much needed ‘structure’ while we are all stuck at home much more.

It reminds us of the importance of setting aside a special time together, and of creating a sacred space in our home, to gather for prayer and refocus on what is most important; this provides emotional as well as spiritual benefits.

Here are a few suggestions to help you celebrate Mass at home, and with your family.

Agree to attend Mass together online. 
Try to find a place where others are not passing through during the Service.
Set up a home altar with a cross, holy picture, bible, missal or all of these.
Light a candle for Mass or family prayers


Use an online resource to follow and participate. E.g. Universalis website and app contains the order of Mass, and all the readings for each day as well as the prayers of the Church.

Take a few minutes before Mass starts
to gather in silence to prepare, or to ‘encourage’ your children to gather together. It’s okay to be less ‘formal’ than usual, while still respectful and prayerful.
Actively participate: sit, kneel, stand, and respond in prayer just as you would if you were in Church.
Choose an intention before Mass.
Recite this prayer of spiritual communion together as a family:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul. 
Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart. 
I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen
 

Reflect. You can take a few minutes after Mass together. Share one thing that struck you about the readings or the homily? Ask your children too..
Celebrate. You could have family lunch or meal afterwards, or you could even host a virtual brunch with another family.
Make an offering. Support your local parish by contributing online or dropping off a cheque during the week. You could also donate to a charity.
 

These practices, of course, are not exclusive to online Mass. 
We can start to incorporate some of these when we go back to Mass in person!