Dear Friends in Christ,
Lots of information to pass along today. How do new statewide restrictions affect the Church? How can we remain connected during the pandemic? See also information about parish life, family prayer, Holy Communion to the Homebound, the Lord’s day, food boxes, the Solemnity of the Assumption and more. See also, date correction for Fall Study Day for priests.
Many have asked have asked for an update on my wife, Kathie. Overall, she is doing pretty well. She started two weeks of radiation treatments yesterday, and the radio-oncologist is confident the treatment will slow the cancer growth. Thanks so much for your continued prayers and concern.
Archbishop Sample
The Archbishop met via videoconference with his priests today. The Archbishop is now personally in contact with the Governor’s Office to advocate for parity in Phase 1 counties between businesses and the Church. The Archbishop is prayerfully discerning how to balance the real safety concerns of the pandemic, the government’s legitimate authority, and the spiritual needs of the people. In the end, we must seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and place our trust in Jesus.
Livestream Schedule
New Statewide Restrictions
Governor Brown held a press advisory yesterday, Monday, July 13, announcing two new statewide directives. 1. There is a statewide ban of indoor social get togethers of more than 10 people.
This new rule does not change the operation of businesses or churches at this time.
2. Starting on Wed. July 15, masks are required statewide outdoors (if you can’t maintain a physical distance of 6 feet). Pastoral council meetings, faith formation events, educational activities and other, similar indoor gatherings can continue in churches while following the required safety protocols – wearing masks, watching your distance and washing your hands. The new indoor limit of 10 applies to “social get togethers.” See a bullet point summary of the Governor’s remarks
HERE
. Click to watch the full
Press Conference
. Full transcript of the
Governor’s Remarks
.
Parish Life Continues
Even in the throes of the pandemic and the more casual days summer, parish life and activities continue to be of vital importance for the faithful. Be sure to go the extra mile to remain connected to people during these days. We have heard many reports of how meaningful a simple check in telephone call from the parish to a parishioner can be. Ask how they and their family are doing. Do they have any prayer requests? Do they need anything? It makes a big impact, and can mean the difference between a family who fades away from the Church and one that returns once the pandemic subsides. As we begin to get ready for the fall, let’s make sure we stay connected with our fellow believers.
This Saturday – Families Growing Together
Please invite your parishioners to a virtual hour of community, prayer, and reflection via Zoom for people who have disabilities and their families this Saturday, July 18, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Diocese of Baker, and the Diocese of Boise. See the FLYER (
English
/
Spanish
) for registration & more information. The event will be simultaneously interpreted in Spanish.
DATE CORRECTION! Fall Study Day for Priests
Apologies, we originally published the wrong date. Save this date!
October 16, 2020.
STUDY DAY FLYER
Holy Communion for the Homebound
The Archbishop has given permission for priests to give Holy Communion to the homebound, using their pastoral discretion. Please see
MEMO
from the Office of Divine Worship for details.
The Lord’s Day
In these days when many are unable to gather regularly for Sunday worship, please encourage the faithful to keep Sunday holy, even though the obligation is lifted. It might be a good time to revisit St. John Paul the Great’s beautiful apostolic letter, The Lord’s Day:
Dies Domini
. Perhaps lead a study on it, recommend it for reading, or incorporate aspects of it into a homily.
Important Update – Food Box Distribution
Is your parish participating (or does it want to participate) in the Food, Family, Faith program? Please see this
MEMO
for food box distribution location guidelines. Check out this new
Catholic Sentinel article
covering Senator Wyden’s visit to St. Anthony’s to distribute food boxes. To see the weekly food distribution schedule, click
HERE
.
Media Covers Church’s Reception of PPP Loans
Following the publication of a national news story on Catholic churches receiving loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued this
statement in response
.
Solemnity of the Assumption (Aug. 15)
The Assumption falls on Saturday this year. What are the liturgical options and requirements? Please see this
MEMO
from the Office of Divine Worship.
Next Mailing:
Thursday, July 16
May God bless you and your families today and always,
Todd Cooper
COVID-19 Pastoral Center Response, Core Team Chair
REMINDERS
Help Feed the Hungry
Please help publicize the locations and times where food boxes are available for pick-up in your area. Food distribution schedule
HERE
.
Attention: Armatus and Background Check Administrators!
The Child Protection Office offers training via Zoom for new administrators and those who could use a refresher. Tues., July 28, 9:30-11:30 a.m. & Thursday, July 30, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Pre-register here for a link to join:
Tuesday, July 28
or
Thursday, July 30
. Contact Info: 503-233-8370,
acp@archdpdx.org
.
Submit Your Year-End Financial Report!
Business managers, bookkeepers, pastors, and principals – it’s time to submit your location’s June 30, 2020 year-end financial data. The deadline is
Monday, August 31, 2020
. Please fill out the
Report Template
, which has four tabs, (instructions on tab 1). Along with the Excel spreadsheet, please submit a copy of your location’s balance sheet and profit & loss reports. Questions? Contact Steve Poehler (
spoehler@archdpdx.org
or 503-233-8311). Thank you!
Reopening Resources
- Re-Imagining the Catholic Parish –HERE
- FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED in Church Statewide: More Info 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.
