Dear Friends in Christ,
As we approach this third weekend without public Masses, I can’t help but trust that God’s divine hand is guiding world events. If your life has been anything like mine, it has been filled with challenges and uncertainties. But I have placed my trust in God, who has always been faithful – not necessarily in ways I expected, or even desired, but God has always been faithful. One of my favorite psalms is Psalm 130. I am especially fond of the lines that say “My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord, more than sentinels for the dawn. Let the sentinels count on daybreak and Israel on the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption” (Psalm 130:5-7). It is a bold prayer of trust. God’s faithfulness and mercy are more certain than the rising of the sun. In these troubling times, together as the Church, let’s put our complete trust in God who is always faithful.
Archbishop Sample
LIVE Masses this Weekend
For a list of livestreamed Masses in the Archdiocese of Portland, click
HERE
and scroll down.
Public Masses After April 14?
An updated decree from Archbishop Sample is forthcoming that will extend the suspension of public Masses and corresponding dispensation from the Sunday/Holy Day obligation.
Last Day to Order Sacred Oils!
Today is the last day for pastors to order sacred oils. Please see reminder section below for details.
Liturgical Directives & Guidance for Holy Week
For the convenience of clergy and others helping prepare Holy Week liturgies, below are the relevant communications from the Office of Divine Worship. After reading them, please call or email if you have any questions: Msgr. Gerard O’Connor – 503 233 8350 –
goconnor@archdpdx.org
or Anne Marie Van Dyke – 503 233 8321 –
amvandyke@archdpdx.org
. As a reminder, the normal Holy Week collection for Holy Land churches is postponed until Sept. 13, 2020.
Holy Week at Home
Holy Week comes to us in our homes with many unknowns. Yet, all families have been encouraged to build up our
Domestic Church
and celebrate this coming week in a way that recalls the mystery of our Salvation. Family Holy week resources can be found at
Holy Week at Home 2020
. And here are some other resources for “
Domestic Churches in Quarantine
”
Litany of the Sacred Heart & National Prayer on Good Friday
Today is a First Friday. Please pray the litany of the Sacred Heart for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find prayer here in
English
and
Spanish
.
Next week, on Good Friday, Catholics throughout the nation are asked to join as one with Archbishop Gomez, President of the USCCB to pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart at 9:00 AM (PT). Please Mark your calendars. Additional details and links for this livestreamed event to come next week.
How to practice First Saturday without Mass
The World Apostolate of Fatima gives the following direction:
How are we to practice the First Saturday Devotion if there are no Masses on the first Saturday of April and possibly beyond?
- This presents no obstacle to the praying of the rosary and spending fifteen minutes keeping Our Lady company.
- Since Jesus told Lucia that the confession could be within eight days or even longer still, our confessions can be made whenever possible as long as we make the intention.
- Actual reception of Holy Communion will, of course, be impossible. Since heaven never demands what is impossible for us, a Spiritual Communion will be accepted until such time as Masses resume.
For the full article by National Coordinator, Deacon Bob Ellis, click
HERE
.
OCP
We are blessed to have Oregon Catholic Press in the Archdiocese of Portland. In addition to the resources we shared from them previously, you can check out their resources for parishes and resources for home on their homepage
here
. Their worship blog also features tips on worshipping at home during Holy Week and worshipping at home on Sundays:
Blog
Catholic Sentinel and El Centinela
Message From the staff of the Sentinel and El Centinela regarding new electronic editions and home delivery options. Click
HERE
.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Have mercy on us!
Blessings upon you and your families this weekend.
Sincerely in Christ,
Todd Cooper
Director of Special Ministries of the Archbishop
COVID-19 Pastoral Center Response, Core Team Chair
REMINDERS
These notices were sent in previous COVID-19 Update mailings.
They are listed here as special reminders.
Order Sacred Oils by Friday –
PASTORS ONLY
Pastors or their explicit parish delegate only,
must fill out the following,
fillable order form for sacred oils
. DEADLINE for orders is this Friday, April 3. Parish sacred oils that are ordered will be delivered to Area Vicars for distribution to the respective parishes. Those few parishes who wish to make other delivery arrangements must contact the Office of Divine Worship directly at
amvandyke@archdpdx.or
g
or 503-233-8321. Thank you!
Don’t Miss this Opportunity! Virtual Catholic Conference – April 3-5
Uniting Catholics across the globe for one weekend of prayer, fellowship, and formation. Over 25,000 people are already registered for this unique virtual conference! Principals, please share this opportunity with your school families. Pastors and pastoral ministers, please share with the faithful. FREE!
Links to previous mailings below:
