A Memo from Fr. Kwame - Update #3
MEMO-4 3/17/2020
TO: All Parishioners of Saint Charles Borromeo
FROM: Fr. Kwame Assenyoh, Parochial Administrator
SUBJECT: LIVE-STREAMED MASSES: BEING A CHURCH DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Dear Saint Charles Borromeo family,
Bishop Michael Barber has directed that ALL PUBLIC MASSES, GATHERINGS AND PROGRAMS in parishes of the Oakland Diocese should be postponed or cancelled immediately until further notice. This follows the escalating spread of COVID-19 and an Order issued by the Alameda County Health Officer “directing all individuals … to shelter at their place of residence.”
Read the Alameda Health Officer’s Order here:
http://www.acphd.org/2019-ncov.aspx
Read Bishop Barber’s Updates:
https://oakdiocese.org/response-to-coronavirus-pandemic
Therefore, effective March 17, 2020, ALL public Masses, programs and gatherings at Saint Charles Borromeo Church and premises are cancelled until further notice. While our offices would be closed for in-person services and appointments, our pastoral staff would be working from their homes, hence, we would reach parishioners, parents and ministers via email, Flocknote, and our website with information regarding lessons and future engagements. Check our website to contact members of our staff here:
https://stcharleslivermore.org/our-staff
Please remember that Bishop Barber has dispensed all Catholics of Oakland Diocese from the obligation to participate in Sunday and all Masses. And as we heard last Sunday, “God is Spirit” whose work and presence cannot be stopped or interrupted by any physical, material, or bodily obstacle. Our faith tells us that not even death can unravel the bond and the relationship that God forges with us. Therefore, do not risk yourself, your family, and others by showing up for Mass at Saint Charles. Stay home; use your internet, TV, other electronics – the blessings of God – to help you access faith programs including Mass. If God is Spirit, then it is even more revealing that s/he is first in your heart, and second, s/he can be known through every medium. Perhaps, this is the time we must learn to use our socio-electronic media for sacramental or spiritual purposes, rather than other unhelpful purposes.
The following are the ways we will proceed under the circumstances as a community of people who “belong to the Lord” – a Church.
Live-Streamed Masses
Sunday:
Fr. Kwame will celebrate Mass at 9:30 A.M. every Sunday which will be live-streamed, NOT OPEN TO PARISHIONERS. You are invited to follow this Mass from your home and with your family.
Weekdays:
Fr. Kwame will also celebrate Mass privately on Weekdays at 9:00 A.M., NOT OPEN TO PARISHIONERS. We are working on live-streaming these Masses and will inform you accordingly.
Sacraments
Baptism:
Infant Baptisms are suspended until further notice.
Eucharist/Confirmation:
We will inform you later about First Eucharist and Confirmation celebration.
Easter/RCIA:
An update will be communicated to all parishioners on the coming Easter Celebrations: Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday including the RCIA celebrations.
Anointing of the Sick:
Fr. Kwame will be available for the anointing of the sick and the last rites for ONLY those who are seriously ill and/or are dying. Also, Fr. Kwame is available to anoint anyone who unfortunately contracts COVID-19 but only upon the person’s own request.
Reconciliation:
Due to its confidential nature, confessions through the phones and other social media is NOT recommended. God forgives you when you sincerely are contrite. Call for appointment ONLY if there is a danger of death.
Marriages:
We strongly recommend that couples call to reschedule or postpone all planned marriages in our Church and its premise during these pandemic times.
Funerals:
If there is a full-body to be buried, please call Fr. Kwame or Brian O’Reilly (925) 858-5288 to arrange for possible private rituals at the grave-site or Funeral Home. If there are cremains involved, we strongly recommend postponing the funeral service.
Other
Giving:
We understand the economic hardships this pandemic is causing to the cash-flow and lifesavings of many families. However, if you are in a position to give a contribution to our community we encourage you to consider doing this spiritual practice of “giving” to Saint Charles through our website. Visit https://stcharleslivermore.org/give to learn more about giving online.
Other Programs:
We will send more updates and directions concerning programs such as adult bible study, family faith discussion and prayer, personal faith enrichment and practices, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, devotions, etc.
May God continue to be with us. May those who have died find true love, life and peace in God. May those have and will contract this disease not give up hope to recover but fight hard toward healing. May our public health officials and scientists be assisted by God’s spirit in their management, decision-making, and search for solutions for this pandemic. And may all of us know that the God who created us is still in control, and that we learn to recognize and relate with our Creator God from our hearts and through all the media available to us. Amen.
---Fr. Kwame
A Prayer of Spiritual Communion
(Pray at communion time when you watch our live-streamed Masses.)
Dear Jesus,
I (we) believe that you suffered, died, and rose from death to save us.
I (we) believe that you are fully present
in the bread that is blessed and broken,
and the wine that is blessed and poured out
in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Renew in me (us) your sacrificial presence,
and let me (us) be united with you at this moment,
So that, in all my (our) thoughts, words, and actions,
I (we) may represent you, and love others as you love me.
Amen.
For more information please contact our office manager Mary Hengl at (925) 922-6131 or email her at mary@stcharlesborromeo.org