 Fr. Jerry Graham, SJ will be our part-time priest through the end of the year, and perhaps through June 2022. He will serve as our Sacramental Minister: presiding and preaching at weekend masses, on holy days, and church feast days. He will provide the Sacrament of Reconciliation on Saturday afternoons, and will participate in liturgical planning with the Liturgy Committee. While collaborating closely with me on administrative matters, Fr. Jerry will be with us primarily on the weekends, and will not have regular office hours during the week. Fr. Jerry has been a Jesuit for 30+ years, has served as parish priest at St. Patrick's in Tacoma and St. Aloysius in Spokane. He has done mission work with Native Americans, and served as chaplain for the Gonzaga-in-Florence program in Italy. He is an accomplished poet.
0 Comments
In August, it was announced at Mass that we had been directed by the Archdiocese to make a change in our liturgy on the Sundays when either Sr. Phyllis or Leif was scheduled to share the Reflection on the Word. We were told that on those days, the Reflection must be given just after Communion. Why? Liturgical law dictates that one must have preaching faculties to give the Homily at Mass, which is the message delivered immediately after the Gospel is proclaimed. Only an ordained priest has preaching faculties. Therefore, to avoid confusion, and to make it clear that what Sr. Phyllis or Leif offered was a Reflection on the Word, not a Homily, it was to be delivered just after Communion time. However, on September 13, we received an updated directive from Archbishop Sample which makes it quite clear that any form of Lay Reflection on the Word at any time during Mass is not acceptable. Parish leadership (Pastoral Council, Admin Council, Liturgy Committee, and Staff) discussed the letter on September 15 and decided to make it available to all in the community. See the Archbishop's letter posted here. We will comply with the directive, and we are exploring options for lay reflections outside the celebration of Mass. Your comments on this directive are welcome. Use the comment feature on this page, or write directly to Leif Kehrwald at lkehrwald@stcharlespdx.org.
Updated September 2021. When you come to St. Charles for worship or any other purpose:
Thank you for journeying with us through the pandemic. We have kept each other safe throughout, and we pledge to continue to do so. Your comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome. Contact Leif Kehrwald at lkehrwald@stcharlespdx.org or 503-351-9889. On Sunday, April 18, Oscar Leong, President of De La Salle North Catholic High School gave a presentation at Mass updating our community on the progress of construction, renovation, and moving in. Renovation of the old school building should be complete in July, and the new building (kitchen, commons, gym) should be completed by the end of September. School will start the usual time in the Fall. De La Salle has about 270 students, with plans to grow to 360. Watch the video of Oscar's presentation here. On Sunday, March 28th, the Confirmation group had our "virtual/ at home" service day. We took an hour to pick up trash in our neighborhoods! We focused on the waste we all produce as a society and took notice where the litter was accumulating around our own areas. Next the Confirmation group will have their retreat on April 11th, gathering together for the last time to prepare for their big day!  We have resumed Sunday Mass and Lenten worship in the church. All COVID precautions are being followed carefully: hand sanitizing, mask wearing, physical distancing, and various worship protocols (see details below). You do not need to sign up in advance, but please arrive a few minutes early in order to hand sanitize and to be ushered to your seat.
Mass on Sunday is at 10:00 am and Lenten Evening Prayer occurs on Wednesdays at 7:00 pm during Lent, with the Parish Reconciliation Service on March 10, 7:00 pm. The Zoom connection is https://zoom.us/j/98155735623 or dial in by phone 253-215-8782, Meeting ID: 981 5573 5623. We look forward to seeing you. Caution! Those who are vulnerable, at-risk, or otherwise concerned are encouraged to stay home and attend Mass via Zoom Liturgy of the Word. Those who are sick, feverish, coughing or with other symptoms, must stay home and are not allowed in the church. What to expect when you come. The campus is undergoing major transformation to make room for De La Salle North Catholic High School. When you come for Mass, please enter from 42nd Avenue. At the church door, drop off any persons who have trouble walking. Limited parking is available on campus near the church entrance and along the Killingsworth driveway. You are allowed to park in the PCC lot at the corner of 42nd and Killingsworth. You might also find parking on Emerson Street and 42nd Ave. Entrance to the church will be available only through the northwest doorway. Please wear a mask (required for all those five years old and up). Use hand sanitizer upon entry. Someone will greet you and check you in. You will be escorted to your seat. During Mass. While in Church and during Mass these restrictions apply: · masks worn at all times, except to receive Communion · no holy water in fonts · no hymnals or bulletins · no cry room · singing allowed with masks on · no holding hands during the Lord’s Prayer · exchange of peace at a distance · collection via basket available in back · no Communion cup · pews and all touch points will be sanitized after each Mass To receive Communion, you will approach the front of the altar using either side aisle (not the middle) and return to your seat using the far side aisle. Please maintain six feet of distance from others. When Mass concludes, please exit through the door you entered or through either of the Emerson Street doors. Due to construction, the gym doors are not accessible. We ask you not to congregate in the church after Mass. We welcome your questions and comments. Call the Parish Office at 503-281-6461, or contact Leif at lkehrwald@stcharlespdx.org. This year, Ash Wednesday (Feb 17) will be unlike any other we have ever celebrated.
The application of ashes is an important part of this first day of Lent. We want to make blessed ashes available to you in advance of Ash Wednesday. On Sunday, January 31, we will bless ashes during our Sunday Zoom Worship Service. Then, beginning Feb 1, we will have small containers/baggies of ash available for pick up or delivery. This way you will have ashes in hand and will be able to apply them to your own forehead during our Ash Wednesday Zoom Service. (If we have Ash Wednesday Mass in the church, ashes will be sprinkled on the head--no touching.) If you would like to receive blessed ashes prior to Feb 17, please complete this form. We'll be in touch.
Our plan is to resume Mass beginning with the first weekend in October. We are allowed up to 50 people for Mass. The first three Sundays in October will be primarily reserved for families receiving sacraments:
October 4 – Baptism October 11 – First Communion October 18 – First Communion There may be room for a few non-family members to attend these Masses. You will need to call to make your reservation to come to Mass. We are working through the details of the reservation system and will have it all set up very soon. We will continue to offer the Zoom Liturgy of the Word. So the weekend schedule will be: Saturday 5:00 pm – Zoom Liturgy of the Word (with simultaneous Spanish translation) Sunday 10:00 am – Mass in the Church Questions? Contact Leif Kehrwald at lkehrwald@stcharlespdx.org or 503-351-9889. |
Archives
October 2021
|
RSS Feed