Dear Friends in Christ,
As we move into the second weekend with no publicly celebrated Masses in western Oregon, please continue to pray for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
These days, which have brought the breakneck speed of the world to a sudden halt, are an opportunity for each one of us to reflect upon what God is saying to us about our world and about our lives. Let us take this opportunity to turn back to the Lord with all our hearts.
Remember that Spring break for our school children and staff ends this weekend. Online instruction begins again on Monday. Please keep all the students and staff of our schools in your prayers. Adjusting to this new reality has been difficult for many. Our instructors and school staff and administrators have done a phenomenal job to meet and overcome the challenges of this crisis. May God be with them and our children.
Papal Prayer Service
If you missed the live broadcast of the Holy Father’s beautiful prayer service this morning at 10:00 AM, it is MUST SEE. You can watch a recording
HERE
. Be sure to listen to the Pope’s gentle, yet powerful address, reflecting on the Gospel passage of the calming of the storm at sea by Jesus. For the full text of his message in English, click
HERE
.
Archbishop Sample
- LIVE this evening, Friday, March 27 at 6:00 PM, join the Archbishop for prayer and a special blessing from his home chapel. On Archbishop Sample's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bishopalexandersample/
- Stations of the Cross. This traditional Lenten devotion is now available by video with the Archbishop leading the Stations of the Cross at the Cathedral. Click any time to pray the Stations of the Cross: https://vimeo.com/401380400
- Next Wednesday afternoon Rosary and Angelus from the Pastoral Center chapel. 12:00 PM on the Archdiocesan Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/archdpdx/
- Livestream Mass in Spanish at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, April 1. Next week, following the livestream of the Rosary, Archbishop Sample will celebrate a Mass in Spanish. The livestream of the Rosary will begin at Noon on Wednesday, April 1. The livestream of Mass in Spanish will begin after the Rosary at 12:30 PM. Link here: https://www.facebook.com/archdpdx/
- The letter to the faithful released yesterday by the Archbishop is available here in three languages: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese
LIVE Masses
For Mass this weekend, please join the livestream of your local parish or the Archbishop at the Cathedral at 11:00 AM.
Is your parish or community livestreaming a Mass and you don’t see it on our list? Please let us know by sending a link to
news@archdpdx.org
with the name and city of the parish or community and the time(s) and day(s) of the Mass(es). Thank you!
Confessions
Parishes and priests are asked to continue to offer individual Confessions. Arrangements should be made by priests to observe strictly the social distancing requirements. We have seen much creativity and ingenuity on the part of our priests to ensure the faithful can avail themselves of the sacrament while keeping them safe at the same time. As a reminder, absolution cannot be given over the telephone. For sacramental confession in cases where a priest is not available or a penitent for reasons of illness, hospital restrictions, or other serious considerations cannot go to confession, the Office of Divine Worship has prepared a beautiful card with information for those who may not be able to get to Confession:
CONFESSION CARD HERE
Mental Health Resources
These are times when one seeks encouragement and hope. However, many parishioners and staff may be struggling with loneliness, anxiety, and isolation. For this time, and for mental health challenges, please find resources
HERE
.
The following mental health resources are provided for clergy and religious. The St. Luke Institute has created a number of resources related to managing anxiety and maintaining mental health wellness in these uncertain times surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Hospital Visitation Memo Correction
This memo, also published yesterday had an incorrect cell phone contact number listed for Mercy Hospital facilities. Apologies for any inconvenience.
In Case You Missed It
For links to previously released mailings, see below.
Look for another update on Monday. Blessings upon you and your families this weekend.
May the One Whom even the wind and sea obey calm the storms in our hearts, in our Church, and in the world.
Todd Cooper
Director of Special Ministries of the Archbishop
COVID-19 Pastoral Center Response, Core Team Chair
P.S. Leaving you with one more quote from Pope Francis, from his prayer service this morning:
“Dear brothers and sisters, from this place that tells of Peter’s rock-solid faith, I would like this evening to entrust all of you to the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, Health of the People and Star of the stormy Sea. From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts. You ask us not to be afraid. Yet our faith is weak and we are fearful. But you, Lord, will not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Tell us again: “Do not be afraid” (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, “cast all our anxieties onto you, for you care about us” (cf. 1 Pet 5:7).
