July 1, 2020
COVID-19 Update
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all within me, his holy name.

Ps. 103:1
Dear Friends in Christ,

Where did June go?!
 
Today, we celebrate the feast of St. Junipero Serra. Serra was a zealous missionary who spent the last decades of his life in service of the indigenous peoples in Mexico and modern day California. This Spanish born saint, who was beatified in 1988 and canonized in 2015, is taking a lot of flak right now for his fruitful missionary endeavors, despite his genuine love and concern for the poor and oppressed peoples he served. If the world had more people like this dedicated Franciscan, systemic racism would be eradicated in short order. St. Junipero Serra, pray for us!
 
See below for news on the extended state of emergency in Oregon, more info on face masks, an update on food distribution & more. As a reminder, there will be no mailing this Friday. Next week the COVID-19 mailing schedule will change to Tuesdays and Thursdays.
 

Archbishop Sample
Archbishop Sample met with his priests yesterday. They discussed Catholic schools, parish finances, and planning for the Church’s evangelizing future in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Livestream Schedule

State of Emergency Extended
Yesterday, June 30, Governor Kate Brown extended the COVID-19 state of emergency in Oregon for 60 days. See official notice  HERE .
 
Face Masks Update
Yesterday, OHA released information about face covering requirements for faith gatherings. Please see the email from OHA here:  OHA Face Masks Memo . OHA memo Musicians/cantors are not required to wear masks while singing, and they need only be six feet from others (rather than the 30 feet previously published in the diocesan guidelines).

 
100,000 Food Boxes Distributed! Program Extended!
Last week, the Archdiocese received the fantastic news that the USDA confirmed extension of its contract with Pacific Coast Fruit (PCF) to continue food distribution through its Farms to Families food program. In the first six weeks of the program, our parishes distributed more than 100,000 food boxes! All with less than a week's notice to begin.
 
The Archdiocese of Portland will continue its “Food, Family, Faith” food box distribution program until August 28. Parishes throughout Oregon are serving as locations for anyone to pick-up fresh fruits, vegetables, and more. The food boxes are provided by Pacific Coast Fruit, the regional recipient of a USDA Farms to Families grant to distribute more than 20 million pounds of fresh produce, dairy and combination boxes to Oregon families during the pandemic. See full memo  HERE .
 
For about 300,000 now-jobless Oregonians, being unable to afford fresh food is a new reality with barriers such as lack of financial resources, transportation and grocery store scarcity. Many others struggle with isolation and can't travel to their local grocery store. Our “Food, Family, Faith” program ensures that these do not create a barrier to fresh food.
 
See current parish  Distribution Schedule .
Read this inspiring  Catholic Sentinel Article .
 
Keeping the Lord’s Day
In these days when many Catholics are unable to attend Mass on Sundays, we want to continue to emphasize the importance of the Sunday Eucharist. Below are a couple of helpful resources.

 
 

Next Mailing:  Tuesday, July 7
 
N.B.  There will be no mailing this Friday due to the Fourth of July Holiday Weekend.
 
 
I hope the week finishes up well. Have a wonderful, Fourth of July Weekend!


In Christ,

Todd Cooper
COVID-19 Pastoral Center Response, Core Team Chair


Reopening Resources
  • Re-Imagining the Catholic Parish –HERE
  • Guidance for Faith-Based Gatherings in Phase II Counties: OHA FAQ HERE
  • Phase Two Reopening Memo ENGLISH and SPANISH
  • Limited Plan for Reopening Masses (English/Spanish)
  • Readiness Checklist – Use with above Plan
  • Use of Satellite Sites for Mass: MEMO
  • Protocol for COVID-19 exposure at Mass: HERE
  • Information about Contract Tracing - HERE.
  • Archdiocesan web resources: CLICK HERE.
  • Guidelines for Returning to the Workplace - Find materials from OHA HERE
  • CDC guidelines for faith communities
  • CDC Guidelines for Daily Life
  • FlockNote Mass Sign-Up, Tracking - How it works.

REMINDERS
 
New Mailing Schedule
Starting next week, we will publish the COVID-19 mailing two days per week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We will continue to use special mailings during the week as needed to communicate urgent and important information.
 
Reopening Update
Attention Pastors: The Oregon Health Authority asserts that indoor group gatherings continue to be the most risky and efficient way to transmit COVID
 
Face Coverings Required in Church
In light of new statewide guidance issued by the Governor on June 29, face coverings are required for all people gathered in Roman Catholic churches in all counties in western Oregon in both Phases 1 and 2 of reopening. Those are excepted who perform “activity that makes wearing a mask…not feasible,” like the presider (throughout Mass) and the lectors/cantors (while reading/singing). Exceptions are also made for people with disabilities and children 12 and under. Children 2 and under should not wear masks. By archdiocesan requirement, masks must still be used by ministers when distributing Holy Communion. Oregon Health Authority information for faith communities here:  OHA Face Mas ks Memo .
 
New Child Protection Training for 2020-2021 Year
This year’s Child Protection Training is,  “Meet Sam” . This course will be available online, starting July 1, 2020 and is to be completed by December 1, 2020. Those required to complete this course are ONGOING employees and volunteers who work directly with minors or programs involving minors and all clergy, seminarians and men in formation for the permanent diaconate. “C.A.S.E.” training is still required for NEW   employees and volunteers. CASE training will remain a live training and should not be held digitally. Check with your county requirements to schedule these trainings. For more details regarding who needs child protection training, please see  the attached document .