Glory to Jesus Christ! Слава Ісусу Христу!
Dear Parishioners,
July 5, 2020
5th Sunday after Pentecost
For this Sunday, again:
Liturgies:
--Parishioners with last names A through K, if you are coming, come to the
9:00 Liturgy. This Liturgy will also be LIVE STREAMED.
--Parishioners L through Z, please come to the 11:00 Liturgy.
(If you need to switch times, please ask me.)
I will also distribute Holy Communion at 12:30 to those who cannot come to Liturgy
yet want to receive.
BUT you must contact me for this to take place.
THIS WEEK:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday: The Hours at 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m.
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MASKS: As you have probably read, the Governor has ordered the use of masks, face coverings or shields for all people who are inside buildings open to the public.
So I ask you all to please be wearing this type of protection when you come to church. Those under the age of 12 do not need to wear masks, and those who have good medical or other reasons for not wearing a mask are also exempt.
The cantors, Fr. Deacon and I are exempt during the Liturgy. Please bring your own mask, but we do have some here for those who need them.
I understand this is not pleasant for anyone, but I ask that you consider the welfare of
your fellow parishioners as the virus continues to spread in Oregon. It is certainly a
better thing to cover our mouths than to risk having the churches locked down again.
However, as I have thought and prayed about this the past few days, I think we can do
even better.
I suggest that we wear our masks in a spirit of penance for our sins and for the sins of our
nation, and we offer this as a sacrifice to the Lord, especially when we put them on as we
gather together to pray—to make this specific intention to the Lord. The priest and deacon say certain prayers when putting on vestments. Let us also have a prayerful intention when putting on the mask for worship.
This is not a great sacrifice, but it is still a sacrifice. As we offer this small
penance to the Lord, let us specifically be aware of the words that come out of our
mouths in sin, and ask His help to convert them to words of sincere worship,
expressions of gratitude and Christian encouragement to others, especially those most
in need. Let our masks even become a reminder that our first thought should not be
about a virus, but about the Divine Physician, the Healer of Bodies and Souls.
And perhaps we can also hold to this thought: "If we can do it for Costco, we can do it
for Christ." Thank you for your continued cooperation and your faithfulness!
