Thursday, November 19th, 2020:
Dear St. Charles Family:
The escalation of new cases of COVID-19 has once again brought us back to a life of sheltering-in-place. With you, I am deeply concerned about the impact on every aspect of our lives, including our faith.
I share with you here a new message from our bishop, Most Reverend Michael Barber. His message is for all of us to read and is entitled: "Your home is a holy place. Worship the Lord there".
Regarding the new schedule, it is subject to change, but for now, the outdoor seating location will be in the courtyard of Keeley Center, and sign-up reservations are required.
WEEKEND MASSES
This in-person Mass will take place in the courtyard of Keeley Center; Mass will last 30 minutes; no live streaming.
Sunday Morning Mass at 9:30 AM - Parishioners may view the live-streamed Mass either at home or in the courtyard of Keeley Center Sign-Up HERE
Communion distribution in the Church will follow the Sunday Mass from 10:45 AM to 11:30 AM.
WEEKDAY MASSES
Weekday Masses at 9 AM will be pre-recorded (Mondays) or live-streamed (Tuesday through Fridays) only.
Communion distribution will take place after Mass (Tuesday through Friday only) from 9:30 AM to 10 AM.
CHRISTMAS MASSES
(subject to change)
Christmas Eve Mass: December 24 at 4 PM – children and youth ministers; communion distribution after Mass in the Church 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM
Christmas Midnight Mass: December 25 at 12 AM – adult ministers
Christmas Day: Communion distribution from 9 AM to 10 AM
OTHER SACRAMENTS
Baptism: May only be celebrated outdoors.
Marriage: May only be celebrated outdoors.
Funeral: May only be celebrated outdoors.
Anointing of the Sick:
Please, first secure the approval of a visit from the health institution; then call our Church office to arrange for the anointing or final blessing.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Dispensation from participation during Sunday Mass and the reception of the sacraments is still in effect in these times of pandemic. This means that you are not obligated to fulfill these religious practices.
Mask wearing is required on our Church grounds and in all facilities. This applies also to all ministers including the clergy.
If you are ill, vulnerable, or uncomfortable with in-person gatherings, please stay home; watch our live-video Mass, and/or read and reflect on the Word of God for the day. You can unite yourself in spiritual communion with us in Jesus Christ during the live-streamed Mass.
Finally, I ask all parishioners to approach these difficult times with patience: Observe the advice of our public health officials and scientists, stay connected to the Church through social media, Bible Study, Small Groups, Q&A on Christian Faith sessions, and Faith Formation, and develop your personal spiritual relationship with Christ and your family.
May God bless and keep us, and I look forward to seeing many of you during our Adult Bible Study session at 7:00 pm!
Fr. Kwame
Nov
19
Fr. Kwame's Adult Bible Study Session
Thursday Evening at 7:00 pm on Zoom
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
ADULT BIBLE STUDY - NEW SERIES
Our topic for October 2020 through June 2021:
“The Gospels: What Would Jesus Do?"
“The Gospels: What Would Jesus Do?"
This series begins with the promise of Jesus’ birth and ends in June 2021 with his last words and ascension.
Please note that the best bible version suitable for an adult bible study are: New Revised Standard Version (Revised Standard Version); New American Bible or the Catholic Study Bible.
Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 7:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 854 7712 3050
Passcode: dHuJN1
Telephones Dial:
+1 669 900 6833
Meeting ID: 854 7712 3050
Passcode: 030766
Gifts and gift cards may also be returned to the rectory during normal business hours, Monday – Thursday.
All gift cards with the activation receipt are due on Sunday, December 6 in a ziplock bag or envelope. All wrapped gifts are due on Sunday, December 13 with a gift receipt and the tag clearly visible for recipient verification and sorting.
We are extremely grateful to our St Charles family for caring for the less fortunate and so generously supporting the Giving Tree every year!
Due to Governor Newsom's official order to slow the spread of the virus, which put the “emergency brakes” on the State of California and moved Alameda County into the widespread purple tier, we are suspending the remaining four Giving Tree tag pick-up dates in the Hall because we are not allowed to gather indoors.
Mary Fair, the Giving Tree Coordinator, along with the Social Concerns Committee encourages all parishioners who would like to support the 150 recipients whose tags have not yet been taken, to donate to St Charles either in your tithing envelope or on Tithe.ly. We thank everyone who has already so generously donated, which will help us purchase gifts for the tags not taken.
Or, if you would like to shop for an individual or purchase a specific gift card, please call Mary Fair at 925-454-9919, who will be happy to provide you with the recipient’s specific wish list information (gender, age, sizes, and gift description).
Gift drive-thru drop-offs will begin on Sunday, November 29 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm. Additional gift drive-thru drop-off dates will be Mondays, November 30 and December 7 from 10:00 – 11:00 am, Wednesdays, December 2 and 9 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm, Saturdays, December 5 and 12 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm, and Sundays, November 29, December 6 and 13 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm.
Nov
23
Monday Evening - WALKING WITH PURPOSE on Zoom
Are you going?
Yes
No
Maybe
going.
not going.
might be going.
Walking with Purpose
Bible Study Program
Opening Your Heart
by Lisa Brenninkmeyer
Monday Evenings, 7:00 to 9:00 PM
Questions? Contact:
Angela Layton
602-799-6648
wwpstcharleslivermore@gmail.com
The St. Charles Health Ministry continues our mental health series with an article from Claire La Scola who kindly accepted our invitation to talk about the topic of grief, and how that affects mental health during these trying times.
Grief, Mental Health, and COVID-19
Experiencing grief during the current viral epidemic compounds the stress that is naturally occurring in our lives at this time. When we lose a loved one, it may feel as though our world is turned upside down. And, truthfully, it is. Nothing seems right. The sadness, loneliness, anger, confusion, disorganization, and all the myriad feelings leave us exhausted and out of sorts. Early in our grief, it seems sometimes that no one can possibly understand what is happening to us. Sometimes we feel as though we are going crazy. Will these thoughts and feelings ever go away?
With CO-VID some similar feelings arise. Loneliness and feelings of isolation occur for those living alone. Fear may also take over as we sit and wonder what will happen to us. Am I safe? Is it really okay to go to the store even if I wear a mask? Is my family in another state okay? For families not accustomed to being with each other all day long, day after day, tensions can develop between family members. This adds to the stress already being experienced.
What we do to manage these questions, these feelings, and our everyday lives will determine the state of our mental health.
When we are grieving it is especially important that we pay special attention to our physical health and schedule and some form of exercise every day. Walking just around the outside of your house in the fresh air can relieve the physical tension that occurs. Making the effort to eat well and getting plenty of sleep is also important. If sleep is difficult, take advantage of a nap. It has been suggested that 45 or 90 minutes leaves you rested yet should not interfere with nighttime sleeping.
Reaching out to help others can be satisfying and also takes your attention off yourself for a while. At the same time let others support you. Know whom to call if you need some support, either emotional or practical. Not everyone can help out all the time.
Expand your support network. At St. Charles Borromeo we have a Grief Support Group that meets on Zoom the third Saturday of the month from 10 am to 11:30 am. Sharing with others who have similar experiences helps to dispel the feeling of being all alone in your grief.
Find inspiration from nature, music, prayer, and faith. Be nice to yourself. Find time for a healthy pleasure. And lastly, be grateful. Keeping a gratitude journal can change your outlook on your life’s situation, lift your mood, and shift your perspective.
Use this acronym as a way to remember the path/process for healing:
H —Help yourself and help others
E — Eat well
A — Activity
L — Let others support you. Know when to call a friend
I — Inspiration from nature, music, prayer, faith
N — Be nice to yourself
G — Gratefulness. Keep a gratitude journal. Write down even just one thing you are grateful for.
If you are feeling extremely depressed, despairing that you will ever get through your grief, contact your doctor for a referral to a trained psychotherapist who provides grief therapy.
For more information and resources, contact Claire La Scola at 925-447-9800 or clairelascola@gmail.com for resources or more information.
Enter names in our
Virtual Book of Remembrance
VIRTUAL BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
At St. Charles every November, we have three cherished traditions to remember our beloved dead. We read the names of those who have died in the past year during the Prayers of the Faithful, parishioners write the names of their deceased loved ones in our Book of Remembrance and bring pictures to place on our altarcitos.
Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, we are not able to allow anyone to personally inscribe the names of their deceased loved ones in our Book of Remembrance or bring pictures to the church.
We know how important this is to our parish family and have created an electronic way for you to enter the names of your beloved dead in our Virtual Book of Remembrance. We will pray for all our deceased loved ones and remember those whose names you have entered in our Virtual Book of Remembrance during the month of November.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community
1315 Lomitas Ave.
Livermore, CA 94550
