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Welcome to St. John Fisher Catholic Church
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Our Mission is to enthusiastically gather as a parish family to celebrate the Love of Christ through the sacraments, liturgy, and prayer. We grow in knowledge and wisdom of the Catholic Faith which bears fruit in hospitality and service to others.
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COVID-19 Update - April 28, 2021
From the Archdiocese:
Many questions have arisen as a result of the Governor’s announcement yesterday that expanding restrictions will be put in place due to growing COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates.
In brief, the protocols established by Archbishop Sample for faith gatherings remain largely the same, even in “Extreme Risk” counties. Our Catholic churches have proven over the last year that spread of the virus does not occur at Masses or faith gatherings where the protocols are followed. As non-profit employers, Catholic churches and organizations in the “Extreme Risk” category must facilitate remote and telework to the maximum extent possible. See more detailed information on requirements for faith gatherings and employers below. Also included below are helpful resources from the Oregon Health Authority.
Thank you for your cooperation with the directives outlined in this mailing and your careful pastoral handling of the challenging situations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It has not been easy to navigate all the changes. We are all weary of the restrictions, but hope is on the horizon. Health officials have observed that if vaccinations continue at the current rates, we should reach community immunity in Oregon by early July. Let’s continue to pray earnestly for an end to the pandemic.
In the peace of the Risen Christ,
Todd Cooper
Chair, COVID-19 Response Team
FAITH GATHERINGS
Capacity Limits
Per Archbishop Sample’s directive, Catholic churches can accommodate people up to 50% of fire marshal capacity or the maximum number that can be gathered while keeping 6 feet of distance between households, whichever is lower. Your county risk level does not impact the capacity limits set by the Archbishop. The capacity limits recommended by the Governor for faith communities in various risk level counties are recommendations and not requirements.
Mask Requirements- Face coverings or masks are required at indoor church gatherings.
- All who are 5 years and up must wear face coverings in church (ages 2-4 are urged to wear them).
- Churchgoers cannot be allowed entrance without a face covering unless they have a medical condition that prevents or makes it difficult for them to wear a mask. In such cases, every effort should be made to accommodate the individual(s) in a separate seating area such as a cry room or unused choir area away from the congregation. Those with medical conditions preventing use of face coverings should not be denied access to the Holy Eucharist. They need not prove the condition, only verbally confirm it.
6-foot Distance Requirement
Per current state law and Archbishop Sample's directive, churches must maintain 6 feet of distance between households/individuals during Masses and faith gatherings. Questions about distancing have arisen since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued updated guidelines (March 19) recommending all K-12 students remain at least 3 feet apart in classrooms where mask use is universal. The 3-foot recommendation applies to K-12 students in classrooms only.
The change in Oregon from six feet to three feet in the K-12 classroom setting is not a shift to three feet across the board, even in the schools setting. While the new schools guidance generally allows for three feet between students in the classroom context, six feet is still required between adults and students in that setting. In addition, where community transmission is higher, the six-foot rule applies between older students as well.
The public-health basis for this shift in the classroom setting include:- The fact that studies show that children are less likely to transmit COVID-19.
- New, school-specific studies showing that three feet is adequately protective when other protections are in place.
- The fact that school settings are carefully controlled settings, with multiple layers of protection including masks, on-site testing, and well-controlled, easily-tracked cohorts.
The general 6-foot rule is still recommended by the CDC and is equally supported by health experts in Oregon. Oregon has not changed distancing requirements for other settings, including for religious institutions and other sectors, and no additional change to that rule is planned at this time.
Cleaning Protocols- Frequent cleaning of common use areas and commonly touched surfaces must take place.
- Soap (or detergent) and water is sufficient for normal cleaning.
- Ensure restrooms are clean and have adequate supplies (e.g. soap, toilet paper, hand sanitizer)
- Disinfecting surfaces after cleaning is recommended if certain conditions apply, such as the space having been occupied by an individual with COVID-19. In such cases, use disinfectants that are included on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved list for the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
On Monday, April 5, the CDC released updated information regarding surface transmission of the COVID-19 virus. The study confirmed the virus can be spread, but is not easily spread, through contact with common surfaces. Click this LINK to read the report. Cleaning between Masses/religious gatherings is still required in Oregon. However, according to the CDC, “In most situations, cleaning surfaces using soap or detergent, and not disinfecting, is enough to reduce risk. Disinfection is recommended in indoor community settings where there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours.” The report concludes by saying: “The risk of... transmission can be reduced by wearing masks consistently and correctly, practicing hand hygiene, cleaning, and taking other measures to maintain healthy facilities.”
INFORMATION FROM THE OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY
As a reminder, the Faith Institutions guidance is still in place. While the maximum gathering size limits are now a recommendation, physical distancing and face coverings are still required. You can view the entire Faith Institutions guidance HERE.
All Oregonians ages 16 and older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
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How to Watch the Mass from Home
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Find us on Facebook
St John Fisher is now live streaming each weekend Mass. You can find them on our Facbook page!
https://www.facebook.com/johnfisherpdx
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Check out our YouTube Channel
St John Fisher's Sunday Mass is recorded and is available on YouTube!
Subscribe to St John Fisher Church YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCtDDiNnkK6gOgWF6ZASG4yA/ featured?view_as=subscriber
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STAY CONNECTED !!!
You are not alone!
If you are feeling isoloated and would like to talk or pray with another parishioner, please contact the Parish Office -
church@johnfisher.org or 503.244.4945 x100
PARISH WEBSITE – Watch for updates on johnfisher.org
You may continue giving to St John Fisher via online payments ( click here).PARISH BULLETIN - Posted each week and can be found under the tab “ABOUT US” here on our website.
As we remain separated in distance, but united in prayer, you can stay up to date with our social media pages!Facebook http://www.facebook.com/johnfisherpdx/ and
Instagram @StJohnFisher_pdx
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Address & Directions
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Parish Calendar
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Today's Readings
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Reading I Acts 1:15-17, 20-26Responsorial Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8Gospel Jn 15:9-17
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Mass Times
- Saturday: 4:30 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- Sunday: 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN 11:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN 5:30 PM EnglishEnglishEN
- MonSat 9:00 AM EnglishEnglishEN
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Catholic Resources
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Enjoy a free subscription to Formed
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Enjoy a free subscription to formed.org – an incredible online gateway to the best Catholic content, all in one place!
- Visit johnfisher.formed.org
- Click on Register (lower right of page)
- Enter Parish Access Code: 6C9TGC
- Enter your email and create a password (you need this to login later)
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