Confessions (3:00 -- 3:45 P.M.) are Saturday in the Garden of the Religious Education Center.
Weekend Masses: SA 4 P.M., SU 8 A.M., and SU 10 A.M
Daily Mass at 8 A.M.: M, TU, W (Fr. Gerard, Presider), TH & F (Msgr. Bill, Presider) (no Saturday Mass)
Video of Mass https://www.ourladyofrefuge.org ; From the homepage, select “Videos”
Masks are required for all over the age of 3 on parish grounds.
Greetings Parishioners in the Risen Lord,
So beautiful to see so many attending last weekend and the joy of the spirit was definitely present. Once again, thanks to all the different ministries helping us to maintain a very safe environment to celebrate Holy Mass.
Great energy is coming from our parish school this week as we anticipate all grades in session. Kudos to our Principal Mr. Green for his wonderful leadership skills over these many months of Covid-19. A job well done! I chatted with some of the students during the week and all were so happy being back in school with their friends. Let us all pray that a sense of normalcy is coming soon with the help of God.
We just discovered in the last few days that there is a leak in Msgr. Bill’s shower and restroom. I investigated it and the floor is uneven. A plumber was called to stop the leak, but the reality is we need to upgrade his restroom and shower unit as it’s in a dreadful state. Msgr. Bill deserves better for all his years of service. I’m sharing this information with you because I need funds to do this project. It’s a total upgrade and the floor will need to be replaced. As you know from home improvements, this does not come inexpensively and I want the best for Msgr. Bill. If you would like to donate either in Faith Direct or by check, please mention your donation is for Msgr. Bill’s restroom upgrade. Thanking you in anticipation, and let’s do this for Msgr. Bill.
Love,
Fr. Gerard
Please remember in your prayers the sick, especially Patrick Giacomi and Mateo Diaz, and the deceased, Paula Ellen Mockett.
Children's Penance Service only for those making their First Communion in June is on Saturday, April 17. Please remember these students in your prayers. Please contact the Office of Religious Education for details. (562) 597-3102
Confirmation 1 and 2: Students will attend a virtual retreat this Sunday. The team has worked very hard to make this a fruitful experience for the teens. Please pray for both the team and Confirmation candidates.
Baptisms are held once a month on Saturday at 10:00 A.M. Health protocols are in place to keep everyone as safe as possible. Parents and Godparents are required to attend a pre-baptism class online. Call the Religious Ed office with any questions regarding registration. (562) 597-3102
Spring Opportunity Drawing: Support OLR School by buying raffle tickets for $5 each. Money collected from the raffle will support tuition assistance. Tickets are available after Masses this weekend, April 17 and 18. Grand prize is $1,000. The drawing is Monday, May 7. Checks may be payable to Our Lady of Refuge School, with memo “Spring Opportunity Drawing.”
Mass Procedures: Our church has re-opened, but we have Federal, State, County, City and Archdiocesan regulations to follow. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles cautioned the Orange Tier would allow for our parishes to open to 50% indoor capacity only if there is sufficient room to maintain social distancing (6 feet between households). All our procedures are intended to facilitate the safety and health of all. Prior to each service, the church is sanitized. We appreciate your cooperation and patience.
Why is there only one entrance? Greeters and ushers must insure you are wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance as you enter, sanitizing your hands, and moving quickly to your seat.
Why can’t I seat myself? In order to maximize capacity and social distancing, ushers must seat you as you arrive, beginning with the alcove on Mary’s side, then the body of the church, row by row. They are checking social distancing as you are seated. Also, the front pew in each section is reserved for the disabled and their companions.
Why doesn’t the usher let my family walk to Communion at the same time? In order to have a socially-distanced single file line that evenly sends congregants to both the Presider and Minister of Communion, the usher must alternate from side to side.
Experts believe you can get COVID twice, so these recommended practices may be here to stay until the majority of us get vaccinated. “Physical distancing, mask wearing, and frequent hand washing need to become part of our culture for the near future,” says Dr. Lushniak M.D., Dean of the University of Maryland School of Public Health.
Not available: Currently the church is not open for visitation. Candles for the shrines are not available.
Mothers’ Day (May 9) Novena envelopes are available as you enter the church. Please return completed envelops to the collection before Mothers’ Day.
Rice Bowl: Our community changed lives this Lent, and CRS Rice Bowl wants to say THANK YOU! We collected over $1,300 for this worthy life-saving ministry. If you still have your rice bowl, please give it to an usher at Mass.
April is National Child Abuse Month. Archbishop Gomez affirms his continued commitment to report allegations of sexual misconduct to law enforcement, support victim-survivors in their healing journey, and protect children and the vulnerable. The website https://protect.la-archdiocese.org has comprehensive resources for protecting children and reporting abuse. There is a candle on the altar that is lit during the month of April to remind us all to pray for the healing of anyone affected by sexual abuse.
Free Document Shredding Event: Tired of those old documents collecting dust and taking up space? Ready to get rid of them once and for all? But you want to do it safely and efficiently? Well, we have the answer to your problem. Start your Spring Cleaning with Our Lady of Refuge School and this drive-thru event made just for you! When: Saturday, May 1, 9 A.M.-11:45 A.M. (sharp) Where: Our Lady of Refuge Church/School parking lot. Sponsored by Michele K, Broadmoor Realty Inc. Donations welcome and will go to the OLR Parish TK-8 school. Details: You will enter on the Stearns side of the lot and exit on the Diagonal side. Drop your docs in the handy dandy shredding truck. (If you need some help, we will have a small crew of volunteers.) And please don’t forget to wear your mask and keep some distance from the person in line in front of you. Thank you for your support! Please note: We are unable to take your bags and boxes, just your unwanted documents. We look forward to seeing you there! https://betterlivinginlongbeach.com/free-shred-e-waste-long-beach/
The Bereavement Support Team at St. Bartholomew Parish is sponsoring a 90-minute virtual seminar, “The Loss of a Spouse,” on Thursday, May 6 at 7 P.M. There is no cost for participating; those who register will receive a booklet with 30 short readings on how to live with grief and eventually rebuild your life. Please contact Julie Desmond at 562-221-5157 or [email protected] no later than April 28 to receive the booklet and Zoom link.
Bequests: Please consider including Our Lady of Refuge Parish and School in your estate plan. Our correct legal title is: The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, A Corporation Sole for the sole benefit of: (Our Lady of Refuge Parish and/or School) For further information, please contact Kimberly Jetton at 213-637-7512. www.ADLALegacy.org
Where to get vaccinated for Covid-19: Effective April 15, people 16 and over are eligible for vaccinations and can make appointments at the locations listed below. Demand for vaccines is high, but new appointments continue to be added as more vaccine becomes available. Your patience is appreciated.
The City of Long Beach has launched VaxLB, a web portal that notifies you when it is your turn to get your COVID-19 vaccine and when appointments are available. Go to http://www.longbeach.gov/health/diseases-and-condition/information-on/coronavirus/vaxlb/ to get more information and register.
Primary Care Providers: People may be able to get vaccinated through their primary care provider. Contact your doctor’s office for more information.
CVS: Limited quantities are available now at select locations. Appointments are required. Do not contact individual stores for appointments. Do not visit a CVS store seeking a vaccination without an appointment. Eligible individuals may schedule an appointment by visiting www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccineAppointments can also be scheduled via the CVS pharmacy app. Eligible individuals without internet access can call CVS at 800-746-7287 for help scheduling an appointment.
Ralphs: Limited quantities are available now at select locations. Note: Residents must reside in the county they are receiving vaccines, per local public health regulations. Note: Patients who received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine from Ralphs will be assigned a second dose appointment. Check appointment availability at www.ralphs.com/covidvaccine for more information.
Rite Aid: Limited quantities are available now at select locations. Appointments are required. Do not contact individual stores for appointments. Do not visit a Rite Aid store seeking a vaccination without an appointment. Eligible individuals may schedule an appointment by visiting www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/covid-qualifier
Walgreens: Limited quantities are available now at select locations. For more information, visit www.walgreens.com/schedulevaccine.
Long Beach Memorial https://mymemorialcarecovid.memorialcare.org/MyChart/covid19#
Orange County also has a portal for residents and employees. https://www.othena.com/
Southern California Kaiser locations are vaccinating. Make appointments through Kaiser at 833-kp4-care or 866-454-8855. https://mydoctor.kaiserpermanente.org/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine
Long Beach Health Department Clinics: The City will continue to provide up to 500 non-appointment opportunities to get vaccinated for eligible residents and workers only at the Convention Center Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., depending on vaccine availability. Once those opportunities are full, anyone arriving onsite without an appointment will be scheduled for a future opportunity.
Mobile Vaccination Team: Mobile vaccination is being offered as a service for individuals who are not able to travel to the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center vaccination site, such as those in skilled nursing, elder care, sober living and other facilities, and older adults who cannot leave their homes. Mobile vaccination will be available weekdays for Long Beach residents with mobility issues and in Long Beach facilities. Request mobile vaccine for residents with mobility issues at https://veoci.com/veoci/p/form/qwb9bjkavaq5#tab=entryForm
OLR Church Office (562) 498-6641 9:30 A.M. -- 2 P.M. (M-F)
5195 Stearns Street, Long Beach, CA 90815-2901
OLR website -- https://www.ourladyofrefuge.org
Betty Guevara, Parish Secretary -- [email protected]
Shirl Giacomi, Director of Religious Education -- [email protected]
(562) 597-3102 9 A.M. -- 3 P.M. (M-F)
Donnie Green, OLRS Principal -- [email protected]
OLR Catholic School -- (562) 597-0819 7:30 A.M. -- 3 P.M. (M-TH), 7:30 A.M. -- 1 P.M. (F)
5210 E. Los Coyotes Diagonal, Long Beach, CA 90815
Team Refuge -- Holly Cavallaro, Coordinator (562) 822-9191
Faith Direct -- https://membership.faithdirect.net/enroll/CA966 ; or the app Faith Direct – eGiving for Churches. To securely make a one-time gift to Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, text a dollar amount to (562) 414-6831.
Realm -- https://onrealm.org (to access your account) or the app Connect – our Church Community, ACS Technology Group (Realm Connect)