Dear Friends in Christ,
Please see below for important information about Phase Two of the Governor’s reopening plan and how it might impact your parish. Also, please see the statements and resources on combating racism. Social unrest is the direct result of injustice. As St. Augustine reminded us, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”
I need to ask your prayers today. Some of you are aware that my wife, Kathie, has battled brain cancer for many years. A miracle of grace has kept her alive all this time. We found out shortly after our anniversary two weeks ago that her cancer is back again and is growing rapidly. On Monday evening, we learned that she needs to have brain surgery at UCSF Hospital in San Francisco next week. Kathie is ready for it, and we will be traveling down to the Bay Area soon. Her surgery will be at 7:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 11. Please keep her in your prayers and fasts. Here is a picture of Kathie from last summer at her mom’s house in San Jose:
KATHIE
. She is very special. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support.
At the approval of Archbishop Sample, Sr. Veronica Schueler, FSE, our Chancellor, will lead the COVID-19 response team in my absence. Sr. Veronica is a very capable and gracious woman. Please give her your support as you have done so well for me. She will be chairing the task force meetings and preparing the mailings for the next couple of weeks starting Friday. Sister can be reached directly at:
vschueler@archdpdx.org
.
Archbishop Sample
- APC Meeting This Saturday – Archbishop Sample will be meeting via Zoom with his Archdiocesan Pastoral Council this weekend. The council is made up of elected and appointed representatives from throughout the Archdiocese of Portland. It advises the Archbishop on matters of pastoral planning and evangelization.
- NEW Video – Call for unity and peace in wake of death of George Floyd and protests
- Livestream Schedule
- Wednesdays at Noon – Angelus & Rosary
- Fridays at 6 PM – “Chapel Chat” LIVE
- Sundays at 11 AM – Mass at the Cathedral
Phase Two of Reopening
This Friday (June 5), it looks like many of Oregon’s counties will be approved to enter Phase Two of Governor Brown’s reopening plan.
Governor Brown gave a press conference today during which she outlined some of the details of the relaxed, Phase Two restrictions. Concrete, written details will be released soon, and we will update you with instructions accordingly. From what the Governor said today, we are anticipating an expansion of gathering numbers for churches based on size of worship space. The Oregon Health Authority announced this evening we can expect the following: “Indoor and outdoor venues, including theaters and churches, with 6 feet of physical distancing and other measures in place, can reach a COVID-19 occupancy limit of up to 250”. Please stay tuned.
IMPORTANT
: The expansion of church gathering numbers will ONLY APPY to churches in counties that are approved and enter Phase Two of the Governor’s reopening plan. Multnomah and Washington Counties, along with several other counties, will not enter Phase Two this weekend. Until Archbishop Sample approves any revisions, please continue to adhere to the Plan for Limited Reopening of Masses. Phase Two of the Governor’s reopening plan is expected to last through the summer and perhaps into the fall. View the Governor’s one hour press conference
HERE.
Pope Francis on the Death of George Floyd, Racism & Protests
In his General Audience today, the Holy Father said: “Dear brothers and sisters in the United States, I have witnessed with great concern the disturbing social unrest in your nation in these past days, following the tragic death of Mr. George Floyd. My friends, we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life. At the same time, we have to recognize that the violence of recent nights is self-destructive and self-defeating. Nothing is gained by violence and so much is lost”.
Video Link
to the Pope’s full remarks.
U.S. Bishops Receive Call from Pope
The US Bishops received a call of encouragement and assurances of prayer from Pope Francis in the wake of social unrest in the United States. See press release
HERE
.
Combating Racism
Pray that our Lord soften the hearts of those who hate and embolden those whose hearts are full of love.
Lord, raise up disciples in these days who can lead our nation towards justice and peace.
Please find parish resources, prayers & statements from the USCCB and Archbishop Sample on
Combating Racism HERE
.
US Bishops Statements
May 29
Statement
of U.S. Bishop Chairmen in Wake of Death of George Floyd and National Protests
May 31
Statement
of U.S. Bishops’ President on George Floyd and the Protests in American Cities
Calendar Dates
- June 1–5: Annual Priests Retreat. Please continue to pray for our priests.
- June 9: Priests Zoom Meeting w/Archbishop – Time Change: Starts on Tues. June 9 at 9:30 a.m.
- June 13: Diaconate Ordination of Tony Galati – Saturday, June 13, at 11 a.m. Livestream LINK.
Sincerely in Christ,
Todd Cooper
Director of Special Ministries of the Archbishop
COVID-19 Pastoral Center Response, Core Team Chair
Reopening Resources
REMINDERS
Reopening Parish Life - Limited Expansion
With reopening expanding, at the discretion of the pastor, other parish gatherings and activities can begin to take place – provided there is no more than 25 and physical distancing, sanitizing and other protocols and guidelines are carefully followed. This is true for all parishes in all counties in western Oregon. If your parish is in a county that will soon enter “Phase Two” of reopening, additional instructions from the Pastoral Center will be coming soon.
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