UPDATE:
CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS & MASSES
An Update to the People of God from Archbishop Cordileone : First Steps in Reopening for Public Mass
"You are my shelter; you guard me from distress; with joyful shouts of deliverance you surround me."
(Ps 32:7).
As we continue to take shelter in our homes to help stem the spread of the coronavirus, this prayer of the psalmist reminds us that our only true refuge is the Lord alone. We ask God to shelter all those suffering from physical and economic distress as a result of this pandemic. I am also well aware of the spiritual distress that so many of our people are experiencing due to the unavailability of attending Mass in person. I therefore wish to send you this communication to update you on steps we are taking to reopen for public Mass here in the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
For these last several weeks I have been joining my brother bishops in California for our weekly videoconference meetings to discuss the current situation and strategize how to begin safely to reopen for public Masses. We all agree that we should do this in sync with government regulations for sound safety protocols, and to that end have initiated a conversation with government leaders in Sacramento on this topic. I myself have been in touch with local government leaders here, as well as consulted with top experts in the fields of health care and epidemiology. I have also been in contact with Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Church, who has shared with me the similar concerns of the bishops of the various Orthodox jurisdictions in California. The next two weeks will be the critical test: San Francisco has “flattened the curve,” and if this trend continues for these next two weeks, it will be safer to loosen some of the current restrictions on day-to-day activities.
In any event, I wish to inform you that I have formed a committee of pastors and lay people to draft safety protocols, in keeping with current government regulations, that will enable us to begin accommodating our people for public Mass. Clearly, it will be different from what we are accustomed to, since numbers will have to be limited in order to observe the required physical distance and other safety measures. However, working with this committee, I look to find a way to accommodate the greatest number of people possible for Mass while in no way compromising the safety restrictions necessary to protect our people from contracting and spreading the virus.
The dispensation to attend Sunday Mass will remain in place, and so those who fear becoming infected may remain at home in good conscience. The usual advisories also remain in place for those who should remain at home and avoid exposure to any public gathering, including worship: the elderly, those with pre-existing health conditions making them especially vulnerable to infection, those who have recently had contact with someone tested to be COVID-19 positive, etc. Sunday, of course, is still the Christian Sabbath and so must be kept holy, even if in-person attendance at Mass is not possible. You may attend any livestreamed Mass in the Archdiocese remotely via the Archdiocesan website. You will also find there an Act of Spiritual Communion and other resources (
sfarch.org/keeping-the-sabbath).
God is our shelter, and God delivers from distress all those who remain true to Him. Let us therefore persevere in faith, hope and charity, trusting that in God’s time and in God’s way, God will surround us with joyful shouts of deliverance.
Our church will be open daily from 9 a.m. thru 2 p.m. so that parishioners and visitors may have the solace of prayer in a sacred space, especially before the Blessed Sacrament during this distressing time.
If you would like to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation/Confession, please call the rectory to make an appointment.
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A MESSAGE FROM FR. JUAN:
My dearest parishioners & friends, rest assure of my prayers for you and your families. I will celebrate a daily private Mass and lift you up to the Lord during this stressful time. Let us be mindful of one another and offer our love, compassion, and understanding to those who have been infected with the coronavirus. We pray for our brothers and sisters who have died, throughout the world, as a result of the pandemic. Let us also follow the guidelines given to us by our local government leaders and Health Departments of the six Bay Area Counties.
I commend you to the maternal care of our Blessed Virgin Mary. Please pray for me. You might consider praying the Memorare on a daily basis. The Memorare invites us to ask the Blessed Mother for her assistance and her grace, especially when we feel most troubled in our daily lives. Notre Dame des Victoires always listens to our pleas.
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
ATTENTION PARISHIONERS & THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING PARISHIONERS!
Parishioners are asked to fill out a Registration Update Form. We are in the process of renewing our Parish Membership Roster. If you are interesting in joining the parish or if you are presently a member, we ask that all fill out a form so that we are able to make necessary changes. Forms are located at the entrance of the church or can be accessed via the link below. Thanks for your cooperation!
Parishioner Registration/Update
~ YOUNG FRENCH ADULTS! ~
Come and join a group of young adults living in the Bay Area! It is not always easy or exciting to go to mass in a foreign country, or to go alone, this group meets before the 10:30 am mass to attend mass together and then have lunch.
Every two weeks, we plan a Bible Study group, where we can share thoughts on the Evangile of the upcoming Sunday's mass, while sharing dinner.
Everyone speaks French! French natives are welcome to join us!
Rejoins nous !
What if....
"... I am unbaptized but want to grow spiritually in my life."
"... I have a different faith background but want to learn
what Catholics believe and why."
"... I am a baptized Catholic but never made my First Holy
Communion and/or Confirmation."
..... we would love to assist you in your faith journey through an exciting and deeply enriching process in the Catholic Church called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.). RCIA is for those who are seeking a better relationship with God, who are looking for more information about Catholic Christianity, or who are seeking to grow in their spiritual or Sacramental life. The RCIA process welcomes the unbaptized person to the family of Jesus Christ. Sessions are informal and comfortable opportunities to explore the Catholic faith with presentations, discussions, and fellowship.
Explore the faith without obligation & contact Rev. Juan Gonzalez to learn more!
[email protected]
Time slots for Adoration & Benediction on June 5th are now available. If a time you would like to be present is already taken, show up anyway! The more the merrier!
"When you look at the crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now."
~ St. Teresa of Calcutta ~
