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[fusebox_track_player url="https://episodes.castos.com/5e3aa627bb42e8-95594950/Father-Dennis-Final-EP54-BTW.mp3" color="#Ff5682" title="Living with Intentionality and Grace During Crisis with Father Dennis" social_twitter="true" social_facebook="true" social_linkedin="true" social_pinterest="true" social_email="true" ]\n\nHost Allison Hare talks to Father Dennis Dorner, Jr., her first repeat guest, about how he is using his time in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, how he views his role as a priest when he and his congregation can\u2019t go to church, how science and faith are not incompatible, and more. You can also WATCH this episode on YouTube.\n\nEpisode Highlights:\n\n\nDuring the pandemic, Father Dennis has been doing daily prayers online at 11am and 3pm as well as live online mass on Sundays in order to provide a sense of ritual and comfort during this time of anxiety.\n\nHe also teaches contextual education, or ministry, at Emory University, and he has 10 interns with whom he teaches and discusses how to minister to the most needy populations like the homeless.\n\nEven the most secular person relies on and thrives on routine and ritual. \n\nFor Father Dennis, prayer isn\u2019t about having God whisper in his ear, it\u2019s about aligning himself with those who are hurting.\n\nThis pandemic is not an apocalyptic act of God, it\u2019s the result of the actions of man.\n\nIt takes 30 days to build a habit, so Father Dennis hopes we\u2019ll be mindful of what we\u2019re doing during this time to grow and bring about positive change.\n\nHe is concerned about what he\u2019s observed in his community and some other communities with people feeling they cannot have their relationship with God unless they\u2019re physically present in a church.\n\nHe\u2019s become more aware of people\u2019s lack of understanding about science in this time, like people seeking antibiotics for a virus, when those are for bacterial infections, not viruses.\n\nFather Dennis is hoping this can be a time to learn rather than needing to experience.\n\nHe sees people taking more of an interest in the divine right now, whether or not it leads them to formalized religion.\n\nThis crisis hasn\u2019t made Father Dennis question his choices, specifically, but it has exacerbated his need to be at peace with being isolated.\n\nHe has set intentions for his days, like choosing not to watch anything on TV after 8pm.\n\nHis main intention is to connect with people.\n\nIs peace possible without grace? It\u2019s an involuntary grace that comes when you search for peace.\n\n\nResources Mentioned:\n\n\nText me at 470.242.6311. Subscribe to this podcast, SHARE, and find me everywhere at Allison\u2019s Linktree.\n\nCatholic Shrine Atlanta website\n\n\nFind Dennis on Facebook\n\n\nSend Dennis an email at ddorner@catholicshrineatlanta.org \n\n\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices