This weekend we will have our first outdoor Masses. Attendance limited to 60 at each Mass.
Confessions resume on Saturday 4-5:00 P.M. in Garden of School of Religious Education
Masses this week: SA 5:30 P.M., SU 8:00 A.M., SU 9:45 A.M., SU 11:30 A.M. -- Garden of School of Religious Education
Greetings Parishioners,
I hope you had the opportunity to watch Fr. Bill and me celebrate Sunday Mass in the rectory garden while we were in quarantine. It was my first attempt to record Mass with my iPad and we were impressed with the outcome, including my dog Bones.
Looking back to March of this year and the lockdown and all the different ways we’ve had to learn to communicate with one another has been an amazing experience. We are presently planning outdoor Masses and I thank all those involved in preparation.
This coming weekend we will celebrate Mass in the Religious Education garden area. Hopefully the following weekend we will move to the church parking lot where registration will no longer be needed. To achieve this, we need three very important things:
1. Outdoor Sound System
2. Canopies for shade
3. Volunteers to erect the canopies and provide on-going maintenance
I need financial help to purchase these items. I know some groups and individuals have come forward, but this appeal is for the entire parish. I need your prayers and financial help.
The Mass and the celebration of the Holy Eucharist is the core of our faith and I want everyone to avail of this sacred celebration in a safe environment. Please volunteer! If you are a young adult, I need you. I need whoever is willing to help build up the Kingdom of God here at OLR.
Thank you, parishioners, for your faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you, seniors of the parish, for your energy and love of OLR. Thank you, families, for your children and your presence at Sunday Mass. Thank you all for your financial giving to your parish. Thanks to all who volunteer in this beautiful parish.
May Our Lady of Refuge protect us.
Love,
Fr. Gerard
Procedures for Attending Outdoor Mass: While our Parish staff take appropriate precautions consistent with the advice of Public Health authorities, parishioners and guests should understand that they assume the risk of contracting COVID-19 anytime they enter a public space since such precautions do not eliminate the risk of infection.
Before you arrive
-Register for Mass. Attendance is limited to 60 due to confined space.
-Check your temperature: If it is 100.4 degrees or higher, please do not come to church.
-Stay home if you are ill; have a cough, chills, muscle pain, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell; are caring for or have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with or is showing symptoms of COVID-19.
-Please come with clean hands and use a restroom before arriving.
-Apply sunscreen and wear a hat. Shade is limited.
-Face coverings are required.
When you arrive
-Be 15 minutes early. Entry is closed after Mass begins.
-Keep your face covering on at all times; put on your face covering before you exit your car.
-Enter and exit only through marked doorway. Entrance is between the School Office and Computer Lab/Kindergarten Bldg.
-Sanitize your hands as you enter.
-Observe 6 feet of social distancing.
-Ushers will direct you to your seat. Family groups will be seated together.
-Remain in your place once seated by the usher.
-Please do not rearrange chairs. They are socially distanced.
As you leave
-Communion will still be at the end of Mass.
-Due to confined space, please wait patiently to receive the Body of Christ.
-Social distancing will be maintained during the reception of the Eucharist.
-Please go directly to your car.
School of Religious Education: Early-bird (discounted) registration is available through July 31. We are planning family-friendly religious education that will bring you closer to one another and to God! https://forms.gle/
Mt. St. Mary’s University is offering a 3-year certification program in Spiritual Direction. This course is being offered online via weekly sessions on Tuesdays from 6-9 PM. Fr. Jim Clarke Ph.D., and Sr. Carol Quinlivan, CSJ PH.D., will be the professors of record. Applications are due by August 1. For more info please contact: Meghan-Maley Nevarez at 213-477-2676 or [email protected]
OLR Church Office (562) 498-6641 CLOSED
5195 Stearns Street, Long Beach, CA 90815-2901
OLR website -- https://www.ourladyofrefuge.
Betty Guevara, Parish Secretary -- [email protected]
Shirl Giacomi, Director of Religious Education -- [email protected]
(562) 597-3102 CLOSED phone and email checked regularly
Donnie Green, OLRS Interim Principal – [email protected]
OLR Catholic School -- (562) 597-0819
5210 E. Los Coyotes Diagonal, Long Beach, CA 90815
Team Refuge -- Tony McKeon, Coordinator (949) 874-6097
Faith Direct -- https://membership.
Realm -- https://onrealm.org (to access to your account) or the app Connect – our Church Community, ACS Technology Group (Realm Connect)