From Archbishop Sample

I thought I had posted this, but it didn't end up in last night's digest. Please click through for this important message from Archbishop Sample.

Not spiritual, but very helpful and inspiring

One group of human beings that has been specifically trained for just this situation is astronauts. NASA has put out this very helpful article (click through for link) of the best advice from three who served on the international space station.

Try to remember, patience is a virtue

Ted Seeber supplied funding, but Donna Jarvis supplied the fingers

Look what under $25 worth of material has accomplished, for donations to front line emergency people who need them! Supreme has started a new program for these extraordinary times, and the Jarvis family is proving- LEAVE NO NEIGHBOR BEHIND!

40 Cans For Lent is back on at St. Clare's

As you can imagine, without Mass at St Clare's, donations to the food pantry have dropped of.  I contacted Mary Bundy to as what they need and for instructions for safe physical distance drop-off and got the following response:

Food may be dropped off in the entrance to the parish office. If it looks like someone is in the pantry feel free to drop it off there. We are especially low on cleaning and paper products and cans of fruit and creamy peanut butter. Thanks so much. Maryb

And from Clare Marie Kahn, who was in the pantry this morning, a slightly different list:

Of course the pantry shelves also echo the same shortages currently on the grocery shelves - spaghetti sauce , spaghetti, white rice, pancake mix/syrup, Hearty soups canned.

My brothers, Food for Families has moved to a new program for Supreme launched this week, LEAVE NO NEIGHBOR BEHIND!  Let us fulfill our 40 cans for Lent duty donations to SVDP at both St. Clare's and St. John Fisher, and live the dream of Fr. McGivney.

If you feel you cannot do the drop-off, please contact GK Ted Seeber seebert42@gmail.com and he will arrange other ways to donate.

Jesse Romero tells of of the Christian Weapons of War

I debated, under the current situation, to post this, but a discussion today in a Knights of Columbus Forum made it obvious I needed to do so.  As priests in our domestic church, as heads of household, and as we heard in the last Jesse Romero talk I posted, it is our duty to provide for the salvation of our wives and children, just as it is our responsibility to provide for their health and welfare in this life.

And as your Grand Knight, it's my duty to give you some tools to do so.  There will be 30 envelopes going out from my house this week- a bunch of prayer cards I purchased at the beginning of this pandemic that came too late for the quarantine.  Christopher and Ted will be specially praying about your family, and sending you a selection of prayer cards that fit the current situation.  Fr. Don has decided that starting Saturday, April 4, there will be palms available in the east transept entrance of St. Clare's church to help us celebrate Palm Sunday at home, when I go to confession I'll be taking the rest of the prayer cards to put on the table.  Some Christian Weapons of War for your family.

The stories in this section, in morally relativistic terms, deserve a trigger warning.  There are some rather graphic stories of his time as a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff- stories from his new book _The Devil in the City of Angels_.  But they are worth listening to.  If however you want to skip it, skip to 28 minutes in, where he tells you directly how to bless your house, bless your wife, and bless your children as the priest of the domestic church.

Click here to listen to the final talk from the December 2019 Men's Conference- Jesse Romero on the Christian Weapons of War

New Supreme Program: Leave No Neighbor Behind

Leave No Neighbor Behind

Our council is already doing many of these.  Consider stepping up as a committee chairman for one of these that calls to your heart

1. Reach Out To Members- you should be getting a weekly phone call from James Morgan.  Let him know how you are doing!
2. Provide for your parish.  Both St. Clare's and St. John Fisher have online giving capabilities available on the parish website
3. Care for your Community- don't break social distancing or quarantine rules, but support the people in your community that need help
4. Give Blood if you can- This comes at the worst time of year when blood supplies are usually at a minimum
5. Support St. Clare's SVDP and SJF SVDP- Food banks are about to get hit hard with potentially a 30% unemployment rate.  If you can give, do so.  If you can drive, do so.

Request from Oregon State Council Charities 501c(3)

My Brother Knights

The Annual State Convention is usually the main time we raise money for Pennies for Heaven and Father Taaffe homes.  Our normal activities for this will not be possible this year, as the State Convention is being limited to one day online.

A couple of State Charities events that are special during our Annual State Convention is your Council Delegates presenting your Council’s annual donation for two of our State Charity Funds:  (1) Pennies For Heaven and (2) Father Taaffe Homes. 

Since we are not having our usual Annual State Convention venue this year, please send your Council donation(s) to our Acting State Secretary:  Sidney Thiel.  If you have two donations, please write two separate checks according:

         

1.)    Make each check to: “Oregon State KofC Charities”  and in the “memo” note whether it is (1) Pennies

        for Heaven OR (2) Fr. Taaffe Homes.

         2.)  Send the check(s) to:  Sidney Thiel, 17180 SW Smith Ave., # 83, Sherwood, OR 97140.

Thank you for assisting the State Officers to manage an annual convention with the challenge that exists. 

Basically, the State Convention is May 2^nd, so your council still has another month to either add to your current donation for either of these two funds.   Be creative and think how that can happen!!   It can; just ask the Holy Spirit!!

Remember Charity is the basic principle of our Order.  I hope your council has or will give serious consideration for some donation to either fund.

If you have any concerns or questions, please contact me at 541-519-6606 or email: francis_mohr@msn.com  

Vivat Jesus!  Fraternally  yours,

Francis

Francis Mohr,

State KofC Charities President

Reality from Fake News

Sadly due to all the partisanship, there's a lot of fake news about COVID-19 being reported right now.  I will pass down anything from our various chain of commands we are sworn to obey, but I will NOT be passing along "my sisters cousin said that Japanese doctors recommend water" style news.

For the latest that is factually known, I suggest the CDC- they're the people truly in charge of all of this.  

Link is on the blog, but I'm also posting it in plaintext :

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Archdiocese mass schedule for this week

Solemnity of the Annunciation

Archbishop will join Pope Francis's Ecumenical call for worldwide praying of the “Our Father” by all Christians. Archbishop will then lead the Rosary for the Solemnity of the Annunciation.

Wednesday, March 25
Live at 12 p.m. (PT)
www.facebook.com/archdpdx

Pope to Lead Prayer Service

Our Holy Father will broadcast a prayer service at the Vatican and offer the "Urbi et Orbi" Blessing.

Friday, March 27
Live at 10 a.m. (PT)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJHI8bI0LWg

Evening Prayer
Archbishop will lead evening prayer and offer a special message from his personal chapel.

Friday, March 27
Live at 6 p.m. (PT)
www.facebook.com/bishopalexandersample/

Sunday Mass
Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sunday, March 29
Live at 11 a.m.
www.facebook.com/archdpdx

The Knights of Columbus request you join us in a Novena

My family has been doing this at 3pm, based on Supreme and State recommendations for a novena.

We've just finished the Novena to Our Lady of Monte Birico, and are starting the Novena to St. Rocco.

We start at 3pm with a Chaplet of Divine Mercy.

We then continue with the Novena to St. Rocco, protector against contagious diseases, in cooperation with Oregon State Council

March 24-April 1

Prayer to Saint Rocco



O Great St. Rocco, deliver us,
we beseech thee,
from the scourges of God;
through thy Intercessory,
preserve our bodies from contagious diseases,
and our souls from the contagion of sin.
Obtain for us salubrious air;
but, above all, purity of heart.
Assist us to make good use of health,
to bear suffering with patience;
and, after thy example,
to live in the practice of penance and charity,
that we may one day enjoy the happiness
which thou has merited by thy virtues.

St. Rocco, pray for us
St. Rocco, pray for us
St. Rocco, pray for us

***

Saint Rocco is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. Pray for St. Rocco's intercession for protection from the Coronavirus.

Supreme asks us to also do this Novena: Prayer for Protection in times of Pandemic

O Mary, you always brighten our path as
a sign of salvation and of hope. We
entrust ourselves to you,
 Health of the Sick,
who,at the Cross, took part in Jesus’ pain
while remaining steadfast in faith.

O loving Mother, you know what we need,
 and we are confident you will provide
for us as at Cana in Galilee.

Intercede for us with your Son Jesus,
the Divine Physician,
for those who have fallen ill,
for those who are vulnerable,
and for those who have died.

Intercede also
for those charged with protecting the health and safety of others
and for those who are attending to the sick
and seeking a cure.

Help us, O Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who took upon himself our sufferings
and carried our sorrows,
so as to lead us,
 through the Cross,
to the glory of the Resurrection.
Amen.

Under thy protection we
seek refuge, 
O Holy Mother of God.
In our needs, despise not our petitions, 
but deliver us always from all dangers, 
O glorious and blessed Virgin. Amen. 

Adapted from the prayer of Pope Francis

from Tom Owens, a request

I talked with Sara Remmel today and she again expressed appreciation for the help the Knights gave her with funds to use as a backup for rides she needs to doctors, stores and appointments. She is recovering from a serious car accident about 6 months ago.

She has applied for a temporary position working with the census dept. in the upcoming months. Her cell phone has just about given out. She is requesting a donation from any Knights for: 1. a used smart phone, 2. a used tablet with a touch screen and 3. a gift card from Fred Myers to help with her food and personal items. Could you please send out this request on the Knights blog. Anyone interested in helping Sara could contact me for further details at 503.789.7313 or at tomrowens@msn.com. 

Any help people could give her while she is staying at a temporary shelter for victims of domestic abuse in Portland would be very very much appreciated. These times are hard for all of us but most especially for the homeless who lack family and friends to give them a hand.

An urgent request

Have somebody at home who can sew?  Better yet have kids at home who want to learn how to sew?

Brothers, here is an urgent request.  Do you know of anyone that could support this?  I'm attaching an image of a design.

----------

I can't even believe that I'm asking this.

I'm an RN at a local hospital. Soon we'll be out of disposable masks. According to the CDC, fabric masks are a crisis response option when other supplies have been exhausted.

If there are any seamstresses out there that have time on their hands and want to make 100% cotton double layer reusable/washable masks we health care workers would REALLY appreciate it. I can arrange for porch pick up to take to the hospital for when they're needed. There is a growing group making these masks to donate. 

PLEASE help make these for our front line workers in this COVID crisis if you can. Reply here if your interested and able to help. ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Thank you!!!!

--------------

Edwin L Diehl III

This request came from the State Secretary, I will figure out how to get you in touch with them.


Deaconess - How to make a Face Mask

From Bishop Barron

Friends, In recent weeks, the coronavirus outbreak has had a profound impact on countries around the world—and, increasingly, here in the United States. In light of measures being taken to contain the outbreak and avoid further illness, many of us may be hesitant to leave our homes. In many areas, Mass and other church services may not be available. It is at this exact moment that our faith is most needed. In an effort to continue the practice of our faith in these trying times, I would like to invite you to join us online for daily Mass. Beginning today, Tuesday, March 17, Word on Fire will be offering daily Mass for the foreseeable future. Join me, or Word on Fire CEO Fr. Steve Grunow, right here https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass. If you cannot attend Mass or join us online, I encourage you to read the Gospels, pray with your families, and join yourself to the Eucharist—the source and summit of our Catholic faith—by making an act of spiritual communion like the one recommended by Archbishop Gomez: "I wish, my Lord, to receive you with the purity, humility, and devotion with which your most holy Mother received you, with the spirit and fervor of the saints." And please continue to pray for all those affected by the coronavirus.

Peace,

+ Bishop Robert Barron

From Fr. Don at St. Clare's

March 20, 2020
Hello St. Clare parishioners,
Wow, what a unique time we live in! There are so many uncertainties and so many changes in our lives as
we try to minimize the spread of the virus. Thank you for all your personal efforts to keep safe and keep the
people around you safe.
I assume most of you have heard by now that the archbishop has canceled all public Masses until at least
April 14. So, no Sunday or weekday Masses here at St. Clare or at any church in the archdiocese. I will
continue to pray Mass daily (privately) for all of you and for our world. We are working on providing our
Sunday Mass online, however, we don’t have that up and running yet. In this week’s bulletin, there will be
some suggestions of places you can pray either with the Mass on TV or online. Please do something special
on Sundays to follow the 3rd Commandment: Keep holy the Sabbath.
Confessions will continue here at St. Clare, regular time (Saturday 4-4:30) in the Reconciliation Chapel in the
back of the church. Lent is an especially important time to take advantage of this sacrament. Social distancing
will be practiced. Our Lenten Reconciliation Service that was scheduled for Apr. 3 has been canceled.
The parish bulletin will continue to arrive in your email as it always has and it is available on our website.
Since there aren’t activities happening here currently, it will give inspirational things to help keep you strong
spiritually.
The parish website will be your best go-to spot for the latest information about St. Clare Church.
Our dedicated St. Vincent DePaul volunteers are still caring for those that need our help in the neighborhood.
They are using appropriate safety procedures. Donations of food are greatly appreciated; they can be dropped
off any time in the unlocked vestibule of the parish office. They will be picked up daily.
Your on-going financial donations to the church are greatly appreciated also. Even though we don’t have
Mass, our expenses continue almost as normal. You can give online (instructions on our website) or mail
donations to the office. Thank you very much for your on-going generosity.
If you need to contact the parish staff email is the best way. All the staff email addresses can be found on
our website or in this week’s bulletin.
Although the church staff are usually working from home, I will be on campus almost every day. I am still
available for emergencies such as the Last Rites or Anointing of the Sick for seriously ill people. In those
special cases, call the regular office phone and you will receive instructions on how to reach me.
These are difficult times. Remember God’s words in the Bible “Do not be afraid”. Take all precautions and
then trust in God. God is with us in all of this. Take good care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Be a disciple: let God use you to encourage, support, and help others in this crisis. Remember, I’m praying for
you every day. Let’s all keep each other in our prayers.
May God bless you all. -Fr. Don

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can change, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

In this time of minimal contact- it's important to keep our spirits up

And your Grand Knight is getting a bit overwhelmed.  If you have time due to social distancing and want to brighten our day, please email seebert42@gmail.com and I will give you authorship rights to the blog.

From the Grotto

A couple of days late, but Coronavirus and St. Patrick's wishes from the Grotto, Thanks to Mike Devlin:

Gardens open and free to all

The Archdiocese of Portland announced yesterday that they will be suspending all Masses through April 14, due to the current health crisis. For the complete statement from Archbishop Alexander Sample, please go to archdpdx.org.

The Grotto is committed to being a place of prayer for our community. For now, our gardens remain open, and there is no charge for admission to the Upper Gardens through March 31. All are welcome to visit our outdoor sanctuary; you can just walk right in.

Open hours are 9 a.m - 6:30 p.m. Please check our website as these guidelines may change in upcoming days.

Series continues

For all those unable to visit, we thought we would share a piece of The Grotto with you each day until Masses resume. We hope this feature, A Place of Sanctuary, brings you joy, and we pray we will see you all at The Grotto soon.

May you, too, experience the peace our visitors and pilgrims encounter in the spiritual and natural beauty of our holy sanctuary.

St. Patrick Prayer I arise today Through the strength of heaven; Light of the sun, Splendor of fire, Speed of lightning, Swiftness of the wind, Depth of the sea, Stability of the earth, Firmness of the rock. I arise today Through God’s strength to pilot me; God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to guide me, God’s eye to look before me, God’s ear to hear me, God’s word to speak for me, God’s hand to guard me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to protect me, God’s hosts to save me, Afar and anear, Alone or in a multitude. Christ shield me today Against wounding; Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in the eye that sees me, Christ in the ear that hears me. I arise today Through the mighty strength Of the Lord of creation.

A very special performance In 2016, Irish singer Chloe Agnew, from the group Celtic Women, performed "Danny Boy" in The Grotto's Chapel of Mary. She was accompanied by pianist Dermot Kiernan. Click here to enjoy via YouTube.

From our bank, Rivermark Credit Union

Food insecurity risks increase in a pandemic, affecting school meal programs, those experiencing homelessness, those without healthcare or a job, and folks living paycheck-to-paycheck in uncertain times. If you have the comfort to contribute any dollar amount to the Oregon Food Bank through the KGW Great Food Drive, every donation is appreciated!

I would also suggest St Vincent De Paul at our local parishes also is a good place to donate.

Please report any donations to Gene.Andres@comcast.net , as they can be used towards us getting our Food For Families this year.

More info from Catholic Sentinel

The Catholic Sentinel has answers to some questions

Where to stream live masses

Sorry St. Clare folks, you aren't on the list.

But SJF and St. Cecilia's and St. Anthony's ARE. 

Click here for the ever increasing list of Mass Livestream Broadcasts!

Our first online meeting went fairly well

For not being able to decide anything.  Please click through to the blog and let us know for roll call purposes if you had joined.

And please e-mail your contact information to pdjarvis1@comcast.net so that we can keep in touch with you. 

In fact, you might call Phil on his 87th birthday- March 23rd, 1933 is when he was born!
971-227-6409

A video From Archbishop Alexander K. Sample

This is the video I was talking about from Archbishop Alexander K Sample (click link to see video)

From Archbishop Sample

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
 
Praised be Jesus Christ!
 
This is by far one of the most difficult communications I have ever written because of the impact it will have on the spiritual and faith lives of so many of us.
 
Today, March 16, 2020, Governor Kate Brown announced new directives governing the social gathering of people in the State of Oregon.  Beginning tomorrow gatherings are not to exceed 25 people for the next four weeks.  At the same time, although she did not make it the law, she urged that such gatherings be kept under 10 people.  Earlier today, President Trump made a similar recommendation that gatherings not exceed 10 people.  I suspect that at some point 10 people will become the law.
 
In light of this, it becomes impossible for us to manage a schedule of Masses in the parishes and missions of the Archdiocese observing this 10 to 25 limit.  With a very heavy heart, I am therefore announcing the cancellation of all public Masses in the Archdiocese of Portland beginning tomorrow through April 14, 2020. At the same time, I am dispensing all of the faithful from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation for the same period of time.
 
This will be particularly hard because this will take us through Holy Week and Easter. 
 
Further information, direction, suggestions, pastoral guidance etc. will be forthcoming as we navigate together these uncharted waters.  For now, I felt it urgent to let you know of this necessary decision.  I will be reminding the priests of the importance for them to still offer daily Mass, though not publicly, for the good of the faithful and for an end to this crisis.
 
I am sorry beyond words to have to make this decision.  It is very painful for me to do so.  In the midst of this we must remember that the Holy Eucharist remains the source and summit of the Christian life. 
 
May our hunger for the Mass and the Body of Christ be a source of grace for us.

 

Archbishop Alexander K. Sample

From the Supreme Knight: 2020-03-16

Dear Brother Knight,

As the world confronts the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you the actions and responses taken by the Knights of Columbus.

The coronavirus disease is not the first pandemic the Knights of Columbus has faced. In the late nineteenth century, and again in 1918, the Knights remained strong and active despite such situations. And together, we will do so again this time.

We know that this period will be difficult in various ways for everyone, and we want to assure you that the Knights of Columbus is fully committed to you and your family, and has taken the steps necessary to continue our important work on your behalf – from protecting the faith and financial stability of members’ families, to helping members put their faith into action by providing important charitable service within their communities.

Although to our knowledge, no staff at the Knights of Columbus Supreme Council or Museum in New Haven or at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., have tested positive for COVID-19, we have implemented remote operations for most staff, allowing our business processes, customer service and fraternal support to continue their important work uninterrupted, while simultaneously protecting the health of our employees and reducing the risk of community spread of this illness, which is often facilitated by having large groups of people in close proximity to one another.

Furthermore, our sustainable investment strategy means that our exposure to current stock market volatility is limited, and we remain extremely strong financially. With that strength, and the strength that comes from committed employees, we remain positioned and ready to serve our brother Knights. Of course, our agents and our customer service team also remain available to help you with any insurance or related financial needs that you may have. As we implement new systems to serve you and respond to a higher volume of inquiries than usual during this period, it is possible that wait and turnaround times may increase.

In addition to what we are doing at the Supreme Council headquarters, many brother Knights have asked how they can help in their own communities. We suggest the following:

1. During this period, we urge every member and his family to pray the Supreme Council's novena based on the prayer of Pope Francis (printable or video prayer), as well as a prayer being promoted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
2. Help keep yourself, your families and your communities safe by cancelling all “in person” Knights of Columbus meetings and activities at the local or state level until otherwise indicated. This disease spreads when groups of people gather, so it is important that we avoid activities that could spread this illness. Councils should pursue online and/or teleconferencing options for meetings, fundraising, etc. until the danger has passed. The Supreme Council will be providing additional information on such options shortly.
3. Leave no Knight – or neighbor – behind. If members of your council – or community – are elderly or have underlying medical conditions, please ensure that they have enough food. If you or others in your council have food to spare, offer to drop something off on their doorstep or to shop online for them.
4. Give blood. Many communities are facing blood shortages. Those not being recommended to isolate themselves due to illness, age or underlying conditions should consider giving blood. National blood drives were pioneered by the Knights of Columbus in the 1930s, and this lifesaving activity remains an important aspect of our charitable work today.

As we move through this pandemic together, you can rest assured that the Knights of Columbus will be there for you. We will provide regular updates in the days ahead, and we will remain joined with you in prayer and in service to our neighbors in need.

May God bless you, and keep you and your loved ones healthy and safe.

Fraternally,

Carl Anderson

Supreme Knight

Supreme asks us to add this prayer by Pope Francis to our Novena

The Prayer for Protection in Times of Pandemic is to be added to our Novena, starting today, March 15th.

Click here for the message of the Supreme Chaplain

Click here for the original novenas that our State Council asked for, along with the Novena that our council has asked for, the Chaplet of Divine Mercy every day at 3pm

From America Magazine

If you have nobody to pray with, this makes for a good addition to our Novena.

2019 Holy League Men's Conference: Jesse Romero Talk #1

Jesse Romero is a lot easier to listen to, even if he's talking more about how to save souls than lives- but at this time when *anybody* could be struck down by one of the four plagues going around, it occurs to me that this is necessary.

Jessy Romero:  Get Holy or bust or die trying

Into the Breach: Leadership

The one thing our council needs most, the one thing Oregon needs most, during this crisis:

Novenas and family prayer during this time of crisis

Supreme asks us to also do this Novena: Prayer for Protection in times of Pandemic The State of Oregon Knights of Columbus Council has asked us to participate in a Statewide Novena during this time of crisis.  While you can choose to implement this however you wish, for my family we will be saying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy at 3pm every day during this crisis, followed by one of these two Novenas, for the next 18 days.

March 15-March 23

Novena to Our Lady of Monte Berico

O Most Holy Virgin, Mother of God and my Mother Mary, I thank you that you have deigned to appear on Monte Berico and I thank you for all the graces you grant here to those who turn to you. Nobody ever prayed to you in vain. I, too, resort to you and beg you for the Passion and Death of Jesus and for your pains: welcome me, o’ merciful Mother, under your mantle, which is a maternal mantle; grant me the particular grace that I ask of You , for the cure of the coronavirus and the solace of the souls of its victims, and protect me from all evil and especially from sin which is the greatest evil.

Oh make, oh Mary, my Mother, that I always enjoy your loving protection in life and even more in death and then come to see you in heaven and to thank and bless you forever. Amen.

Madonna of Monte Berico, pray for us.

O sweet Virgin, pious mother of love,
Like this Ave rising from the heart.
Ave, ave, ave, Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria

O Virgin, shine as a star in the sky,
Motherly defend your faithful children.
Ave, ave, ave Maria
Ave, ave, ave, Maria


--------------------------
March 24-April 1

Prayer to Saint Rocco



O Great St. Rocco, deliver us,
we beseech thee,
from the scourges of God;
through thy Intercessory,
preserve our bodies from contagious diseases,
and our souls from the contagion of sin.
Obtain for us salubrious air;
but, above all, purity of heart.
Assist us to make good use of health,
to bear suffering with patience;
and, after thy example,
to live in the practice of penance and charity,
that we may one day enjoy the happiness
which thou has merited by thy virtues.

St. Rocco, pray for us
St. Rocco, pray for us
St. Rocco, pray for us

***

Saint Rocco is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases. Pray for St. Rocco's intercession for protection from the Coronavirus.

Update from Archbishop Sample

All are asked to click on this link for an update on receiving Eucharist (or choosing not to) during this emergency.

Here is a special video message (click through to blog for player):

Dialing into meetings

In keeping with the communication from the Supreme Knight on 3/11/2020 this meeting will be ONLINE ONLY

We're going to Use Logmein's Join.Me app for teleconferencing this meeting.  Use this meeting link, or call one of the numbers in the other blog post with this meeting ID:  381-451-621 #

I am offering this line for any purpose in both parishes, to councils in District 3, to the Catholic Daughters of St. Anthony's. and to St. Paul Silverton Council.  Please e-mail me if you need to hold an online meeting at seebert42@gmail.com, and we will try to schedule you

To dial in by phone:

United States - Boston, MA+1.857.444.6500

United States - Camden, DE+1.302.202.5900

United States - Denver, CO+1.720.650.5050

United States - Los Angeles, CA+1.213.226.1066

United States - New York, NY+1.646.307.1990

United States - Salt Lake City, UT+1.801.448.0006

United States - San Francisco, CA+1.415.594.5500

United States - Seattle, WA+1.206.636.0011

United States - Tampa, FL+1.813.769.0500

United States - Washington, DC+1.202.602.1295

We will be trying this at our next meeting, Tuesday November 19 at 7:00pm.  I will open the chat room at 6:30.  The meeting id for Tuesday's meeting is Conference ID:

381-451-621 # or http://join.me/seebert42

And if you are NOT currently getting the nightly e-mails from the avalanche of information coming out, please fill out the form to the right.

Columbian Newsletter

You need to click into the blog, but here is the link for the Columbian Newsletter

From the Archbishop

as found on the front page of http://archdpdx.org :

Coronavirus Information

March 12, 2020

The celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. It is in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that we encounter the mystery of our redemption, are nourished by God’s Word, and receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ.

For these reasons, the Church places a grave obligation for the faithful to participate at Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. This fulfills the Lord’s command to “keep holy the Sabbath.”

Nevertheless, for a just cause the Church’s pastors may dispense the faithful from this grave obligation. Given the declared pandemic of the COVID-19 virus, Archbishop Alexander K. Sample therefore issues the following directives.  He does so out of an abundance of concern for the health and wellbeing of the people of God entrusted to his pastoral care.

The governor of the state of Oregon, Kate Brown, has canceled all public gatherings of more than 250 people. The fact is that most of the Masses celebrated on the weekends in the Archdiocese of Portland are far below that number. Therefore:
 

1. Anyone 60 years [≈ average human life expectancy at birth, 2011 estimate] or older is encouraged to not attend Mass, since they are the most vulnerable to this virus.  They would therefore be dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass.
2. Persons who have underlying medical issues that put them at risk, or persons with compromised immune systems, are asked not to attend Mass. They, likewise, would be dispensed from the obligation to attend Mass.
3. Persons who are not feeling well, no matter how mild the symptoms, are urged not to attend Mass. They also would be dispensed from the obligation.
4. A general dispensation is offered to anyone else in the Archdiocese of Portland who sincerely and seriously think they might be at risk. This dispensation may be used by anyone of any age.
5. The faithful who are in attendance at Mass are reminded to avoid all physical contact with others and should attempt to keep a safe distance from each other.

These directives and dispensations will remain in effect until April 8, 2020, in keeping with Gov. Brown’s directive. The archdiocese will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation, and offer further direction as circumstances change or as further direction is given by public officials.

Some further things to consider:
 

1. Any parish gatherings other than Mass that would exceed 250 people should be canceled. Please note that the Department of Catholic Schools has issued its own guidelines regarding school gatherings. Please follow their directions.
2. Parishes should break down school Masses so as to keep the numbers below 250.
3. Even with the above directives in place, some parishes may still have difficulty keeping Mass attendance below 250. Pastors are encouraged to be creative in managing this situation.  Some possibilities would be to encourage the faithful to attend Masses in their parishes that are known to be less attended. Another possibility would be to add Masses to help spread out the numbers at each Mass.
4. Those who would make use of the dispensations mentioned above may want to consider attending a daily Mass in the parish. 
5. Those who would make use of the dispensations mentioned above and not participate in Mass on the weekend may want to consider watching Mass via television or livestreamed on the internet. Some parishes may wish to livestream their own parish Mass and make it available online.
6. Those who make use of the dispensations mentioned above and would not be present at Mass on the weekend are encouraged to make an act of Spiritual Communion. This is a beautiful devotional practice in the Church and is a real source of grace in communion with our Lord. Some people who are in attendance at Mass may for their own reasons feel uncomfortable at this time receiving Holy Communion at Mass due to a fear of contamination. These are also encouraged to make an act of Spiritual Communion. Below is an example of a prayer for spiritual communion.

            My Jesus,
            I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
            I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.
            Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
            I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You.
            Never permit me to be separated from You.
            Amen.

During these difficult and trying times, let us keep one another in prayer and pray especially for those who are most vulnerable to this virus. Let us also remember those who have lost their lives to COVID-19 and their grieving families. Placing our trust in Jesus, we will together make it through this time.

From the State Deputy

Brothers,

 

I want to reach out to all of you on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The State of Oregon currently has 21 confirmed cases across eight counties.   Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced yesterday the banning of all public gatherings of more than 250 people until April 8^th.   As you all know the Supreme Knight has asked for a halt on all Knights of Columbus events and meeting.  

I understand that a lot of councils have events during lent planned and are helping their parishes for the month of March. What I ask from the Grand Knights is to use good judgement and consult with your parish priest, so you both can come up with a plan if the parish wants the Knights to continue with that event or cancel it.  Please work with your parish priest and inform your members on the risk’s if the event takes place.  Information from CDC informs you who are at higher risk of getting sick from this illness. This includes; Older adults, people who have serious heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.  If you know of a member with these risks reach out to them to make sure they are a were of the risks and if they are okay.

The State Council is going about as business as usual. The State Convention in Newport is still a go. Please pass this on to all your delegates. We have seven weeks until the State Convention, so we all have a lot of time to see how this virus goes.  We need to just show good judgement and common sense. I would recommend the delegates to still make your hotel reservation with the Best Western Agate Beach Inn and submit your Registration Forms and Council Credential Forms to Sid Thiel @ 17180 SW Smith Ave., #83, Sherwood, OR 97140. 

Those Councils who have first degrees scheduled this is a great time to reach out to those candidates and have them join the Knights of Columbus as online members.  This can be done with a phone call to the candidate.  The Grand Knight, Financial Secretary, Council Membership Director, or District Deputy can coach them through the process, it should be easy. Just direct the candidates to the following online address www.KofC.org/JoinUs

After the candidate signs up the Council will need to inform each candidate, “We will take you through the next step in your journey, after this situation calms down”. Don’t cancel a degree and then let a candidate hanging for 4 weeks, we will lose them.

I want all of you to know the Oregon State Council is monitoring this Virus and will keep all of you informed if there are any changes.

Vivat Jesus

Ron Boyce, State Deputy

 

One Member, Per Council, Per Month

From St. Clares

Both the 20 hours adoration and the Easter Egg Hunt have been canceled for 2020.  Sorry folks.
----

Hello Leaders:

You are receiving this email because you are one of the leaders of a ministry or the Pastoral Council.  You may have read this email already but just to make sure everyone gets reached by this message you may be receiving the same message multiple of times.  Please bear with us.  Thank so much.

Dear Parishioners,  

Things are changing quickly. Yesterday afternoon I wouldn’t have thought I’d be writing this message.  After listening to the governor’s press conference this morning and discussion with the parish staff, I have decided out of an abundance of caution to cancel all non-sacramental events at the church until further notice. St. Clare School and Preschool families will be notified directly from the school and preschool about any changes relating to the school and preschool activities. Here at the church we will continue to have our regularly scheduled Masses (weekend and weekday) and regular Saturday Confessions (all of our Masses are usually under 250 people). We will not be having coffee and donuts, no wine and cheese, no special Lenten activities such as Friday evening Mass, Soup Suppers and Teachings, and no 20-hour Adoration this weekend. Our Small Faith Sharing Groups are cancelled. At this point, we are continuing our regular Masses, however, it is up to individuals to decide if they should attend or not.  There is no sin in missing Sunday Mass if it is for health concerns. People who are at high risk of the Covid-19 disease may well decide it is best to stay home and pray at home rather than attend Mass.
    

Things are changing quickly. The parish staff will do all we can to keep parishioners updated on any new changes here at the church. The weekly parish bulletin has to be sent to the printer a week before we distribute it so it will often be outdated since this scenario is progressing so quickly, consequently, events listed in the bulletin are likely cancelled.  ~ Fr. Don

May I ask that you join us in prayer so that this virus may be contained, lives are protected and saved and that all communities all over the world, including our own St. Clare, will be able to overcome these difficulties of change and that we will remain compassionate throughout all these challenges.

Thanks so much,

Pia

Pia de Leon

Pastoral Associate

St. Clare Catholic Church

503-244-1037, ext 103

Pia de Leon	2:29 PM (43 minutes ago)
to kadarmas@comcast.net, donnakgriffith@yahoo.com, Andie, Tina, Sarah, Mila, me, stan.berka@gmail.com, Karen, thebrugato@comcast.net, teresita2003@yahoo.com, erlin_0566@yahoo.com, claudiamcdonald97@yahoo.com, Marsha

Hello Everyone,

Thank you so much for signing up to be adorers at our 20-hour Eucharistic Adoration.  However, due to the new changes in policies of the State, the Archdiocese on activities that parishes can do because of the pandemic corona virus, we are cancelling the 20-hour Adoration on March 13-14.

Daily and Sunday Masses will continue to happen but Fr.Don has decided to cancel all Lenten activities and other parish activities happening in the next few weeks to comply with directives but also as an act of compassion to those who may be vulnerable to this virus.

This is not forever so let’s please keep praying for each other and those in other places in the world so heavily devastated by this virus.

May I encourage everyone, if you still can, to hold the hour your signed up for and sit in the comfort of your home in silence to pray, meditate and reflect on everything that’s going on in your life and in the world.  Let’s put in as a special attention for the quick resolution of this health dilemma and to lift up all those affected (in Oregon, USA and the entire world) by the corona virus.

In this way, if all of us took that hour of prayer, though done outside of the church, we would be in spirit, doing the 20-hr adoration.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email or call me.

With the Blessed Sacrament as our shield, we pray together as one.

Pia

Pia de Leon

Pastoral Associate

St. Clare Catholic Church

503-244-1037, ext 103
-----------------------
From Fr. Don:

Things are changing quickly.  Yesterday afternoon I wouldn’t have thought I’d be writing this message. After listening to the governor’s press conference this morning and discussion with the parish staff, I have decided out of an abundance of caution to cancel all non-sacramental events at the church until further notice. St. Clare School and Preschool families will be notified directly from the school and preschool about any changes relating to the school and preschool activities.  Here at the church we will continue to have our regularly scheduled Masses (weekend and weekday) and regular Saturday Confessions (all of our Masses are usually under 250 people).  We will not be having coffee and donuts, no wine and cheese, no special Lenten activities such as Friday evening Mass, Soup Suppers & Teachings, and no 20-hour Adoration this weekend.  Our Small Faith Sharing Groups are cancelled.  At this point, we are continuing our regular Masses, however, it is up to individuals to decide if they should attend or not. There is no sin in missing Sunday Mass if it is for health concerns. People who are at high risk of the Covid-19 disease may well decide it is best to stay home and pray at home rather than attend Mass.    

Things are changing quickly.  The parish staff will do all we can to keep parishioners updated on any new changes here at the church.  The weekly parish bulletin has to be sent to the printer a week before we distribute it, so it will often be outdated since this scenario is progressing so quickly, consequently, events listed in the bulletin are likely cancelled.  ~ Fr. Don