Dear Friends in Christ,
Lots of new and important information in today’s mailing for parishes and schools. Be sure to check everything out. Thank you for all you are doing on the front lines to remain spiritually connected to the faithful, especially as we enter these holiest days of our liturgical year. May the Paschal Mystery we celebrate bring us peace and salvation.
Archbishop Sample
- NEW Video for Viewing Now – Archbishop’s Easter Message
The Archbishop wanted to send a special greeting to all of the faithful as we prepare to celebrate the Sacred Triduum and the Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday. Check out his Easter message here:
- SPECIAL Video Message for Catechumens and Candidates
The Archbishop is feeling especially close to those who have been preparing to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. Their reception of the sacraments and entrance into full communion will be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but only until it can be done safely. Stay tuned for updates. In the meantime, this
special video message
is to encourage them in these challenging days. Let us remember to keep the Elect and Candidates in our prayers and affections as we journey toward Easter. Clergy and pastoral staff, please pass this special video message along to them. Thank you!
- Today! Day of Prayer & Fasting for Archdiocese
It’s not too late to join the Archbishop in this day of fasting and prayer for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Remember to pray also for those who are sick and dying and all health care workers.
Catholic Schools Announcement
In consultation with the Archbishop, and in line with Governor Kate Brown's announcement today, the Superintendent of Catholic Schools has announced that Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Portland will continue providing distance learning to our students until the end of the academic year. See the notice here from Jeannie Ray-Timoney:
NOTICE
Paycheck Protection Program
Update
In response to questions, Bishop Peter Smith has clarified that all parishes are strongly encouraged (but not required) to apply for the PPP if they haven’t done so already. We understand that many banks are not processing these forgivable loans for non-profits until after they process the for-profit loans. Keep trying!
Liturgical Note – Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Many priests have asked about a final blessing and dismissal at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper please see
HERE
the response from the Office of Divine Worship. As a reminder, all priests are asked to join Archbishop Sample for the Chrism Mass via livestream at the Cathedral at 10:00 AM tomorrow. After the homily, the Archbishop will lead priests in the Renewal of Priestly Promises. Copy of Renewal text
HERE
. LINK to the livestream here:
www.facebook.com/archdpdx
Anointing
Some hospitals and care facilities that are allowing priests to anoint possible COVID-19 patients are asking that nothing taken into the room be removed from it. Cotton balls or Q-tips can be used by the priest to administer the sacred oil to these patients. One of our priests is putting a cotton ball in a sandwich size zip-locked bag, adding a drop or two of Oil of the Sick, and then stapling a printed, shorthand copy of the ritual to it to guide him in Anointing and praying with the person. All these materials are then left in the room. Great idea, Fr. Waibel. Thanks for sharing it. Short ritual guide
HERE
.
Resource & Catholic News Source Recommendation
This is a personal recommendation for Catholics. Beyond what we are offering through the Archdiocese of Portland website and our very own Catholic Sentinel, I find valuable information, inspiring stories and encouraging faith resources on a daily basis at Aleteia:
https://aleteia.org/
. For example, some of their featured articles today include: Here’s How to Celebrate Holy Thursday at Home; Watch the Pope’s Holy Thursday Mass; and Locating Golgotha: The Authentic Site of Christ’s Crucifixion. I’m signed up to receive their daily newsletter. Hope it’s helpful!
Holy Week
A list and link to livestreamed Holy Week services at the Cathedral with Archbishop Sample are featured in the graphic above.
National Day of Prayer & Plenary Indulgence on Good Friday
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). The event will be livestreamed here:
USCCB
and here:
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
. Litany of the Sacred Heart can be found here in
English
and
Spanish
. For a an informational flyer, see:
Invitation
. By a special grant from the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See for those who pray for the end of the pandemic, a plenary indulgence is available for those who join Archbishop Gomez in praying the Litany of the Sacred Heart on Good Friday. A plenary Indulgence removes all of the temporal punishment due to sins and may be applied to oneself or to the souls of the deceased [Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1471]. To receive this indulgence, a member of the faithful would need to:
- pray the Litany of the Sacred Heart on Good Friday
- be truly repentant of any sins they have committed and receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (at the earliest opportunity)
- pray for the Holy Father’s intentions.
Blazing the Trail – Bishop Smith on Navigating the Pandemic
Blazing the Trail
is an Archdiocesan weekly podcast dedicated to sharing the truth of Jesus Christ, who brings us lasting joy and real peace. Each week, we explore this mission of evangelization from different perspectives and invite listeners to pray about how the Lord might be calling them to bring the Good News into their homes, parishes and schools. This week, enjoy an interview with Auxiliary Bishop Peter Smith as he talks about navigating our current pandemic. Video
HERE
Need to Contact Someone at the Pastoral Center?
For a list of the COVID-19 Core team and other contacts, click
HERE
.
On the eve of the Triduum, may God bless you and your work and ministry.
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.
Decree Extending Suspension of Masses
Vietnamese version of the cover letter here:
VIETNAMESE
. Yesterday, Archbishop Sample issued a new decree extending the suspension of the public celebration of Holy Mass and issuing a corresponding dispensation from the obligation to attend Sunday and Holy Day Masses. The Archbishop has made this extension until further notice and with the intention to reinstate the public celebration of the Holy Mass at the soonest date possible, following the recommendations of public health and other civil officials. Cover letter and decree can be found here in
ENGLISH
and
SPANISH
.
Links to previous mailings below:
