Thursday, March 19, 2020
To: All Pastors, Priests, Business Managers, Parish Secretaries and Bulletin Editors
From: Office of Communications: COVID-19 Updates

For the latest updates on COVID-19, please refer your parishioners and staff to https://www.rcbo.org/covid-19updates/
 
Updates will also be communicated with clergy and staff via email.
 
Public information will be posted to Diocese of Orange social media channels: 
 
Facebook.com/dioceseoforange
Twitter.com/orangediocese
Instagram.com/orangediocse
 
 Sunday Mass will be broadcast via livestream at https://parish.christcathedralcalifornia.org/livestream/ in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
 
Daily Mass will be livestreamed from Christ Cathedral in English at 6:30 a.m. and Vietnamese 5:30 p.m. and from St. Edward the Confessor at 8:15 a.m. http://stedward.com/stedcast/

 Here we have collected past Messages and Letters from the Pastor and Diocese that announced changes affecting our Parish Operations. Also look to our Home Page for the most recent Messages. 
 

Friday, April 3, 2020

Dear Brothers in the Lord,

Given the seriousness of the COVID-19 situation, Bishop Vann has decided that palms are not to be distributed on Palm Sunday this year but rather will be handed out at another time in the future, once times become more normal. Please ignore the previous instructions sent out as recently as this morning.

Thank you very much for your continued flexibility during these trying times. 

Bishop’s Office

Friday,  March 20, 2020,  5:45p.m.
Reason: To update yesterday's Message reflecting the Governor's Stay at Home Order.            

As we continue through this unprecedented time in our world, information is changing daily and even by the hour.  Please know that Fr. Martin, our staff, and I are praying for all of you our parishioners.  I want to keep you as up to date as possible.  With our governors “Stay at home” order implemented on March 19, our Bishop has updated the instructions for all diocesan churches.  

• All Public Masses have been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• Funerals should be postponed, if at all possible.
• Confessions and all public gatherings are also suspended until further notice.
• The church will remain closed in response to the state order.
• Anointing of the Sick will only be done in danger of imminent death.  Please call the office to schedule an anointing for someone who is dying.  Leave a message and we will call you as soon as possible.
• You can refer to the list, on this website, of Masses that can be viewed on TV, or live streamed on your computers from various places in our diocese and country.
• Please refer to our website or the diocese website for all current information.
• Please also refer to the CDC for the most up to date and accurate information about this pandemic. 

Know that God has not abandoned us and it is important for us to continue to pray and check in on one another.  Please stay healthy and use good hygiene and common sense.  If we follow the “Stay at home” order, we will get through this challenge more quickly.
 
Fr. George P. Blais

 Friday, March 20, 2020, 9:30 AM

Due to the Governor's "Stay at Home" Order, all Saint Nicholas' Offices will be closed until further notice. In case of an Emergency, please call the Office and leave a message and we will get back with you.

Friday, March 19, 2020, 5:00 P.M.
Ammended: March 20, 2020, 9:00A.M.

Dear Parishioners,
As I write this message, I want you to know that my prayers are with each and every one of you during this unprecedented time.  We have never experienced anything like this and could not imagine all of the challenges it brings to us.  I am well aware of the pain, confusion, uncertainty, and fear that we are all experiencing.  Today is the Feast of St. Joseph and the message that Joseph heard from the angel was; “Do not be afraid.”  When Jesus appeared to his disciples walking on the Sea of Galilee, He said to them; “Take courage.  It is I, do not be afraid.”

I ask that we not be afraid but use this time to pray for a speedy recovery for all affected with this virus and a return to normalcy as soon as possible.  We must all be aware of our surroundings and pray for one another, especially for those who have no family to care for them.  I strongly encourage all of us to call the people we know to check in on them and to encourage them and let them know that they are not alone.

No one could have predicted that we could not celebrate public Masses and this decision was not made lightly.  Following the guidance of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, our Metropolitan See, we are asked to suspend all public Masses. Bishop Kevin Vann, the Bishop of Orange, in consultation with his auxiliary bishops, staff, the CDC, and our federal and local agencies made this decision for the good of all. At this time we believe we can plan to make special arrangements for Funeral Services.

I fully appreciate the feelings of those of you who have expressed a sadness of not being able to receive the Eucharist.  This gives us all the opportunity to reflect on the gift of the Eucharist and have a greater appreciation of this gift when we are able to receive it again.  This also gives us the opportunity to pray for Spiritual Communion.  I would like to share this prayer with you that I received in an email today.  Please know that you are all in my prayers as I celebrate a private Mass each day.

“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.  I embrace You as if You were already here and unite myself wholly to You.  Never permit me to be separated from You.  Amen.”

Please know that Fr. Martin and myself are saying daily private Mass for the Mass intentions that have been requested and we are praying for all of you, our parishioners.

This very serious situation also gives us the opportunity to create a way to instantly communicate important matters with each of you, our parishioners.  I would like you to please provide us with your email information and a cell phone number so that you could receive a global email or text from the parish with important updated information.  Please watch for an upcoming link via "Flocknotes" to the website to provide this information.

Yours in Christ,
Fr. George P. Blais

Message 4, Dated: 3/17/2020, 11:00A.M.
Reason: Streaming Mass resources added

We add a new item to our Home Page, Online Streaming of Daily Masses. 


Message 3, Dated: 3/17/2020, 10:30 A.M.
Reason: Updating Status of Youth Ministry Activities

Until further notice all events and meetings are cancelled. This includes Bible Study, Living Stations of the Cross, choir practices and Teen/Family Mass.

Please watch the bulletin, Facebook and Instagram for updates.   

Masses have been cancelled, but the church will be open for personal prayer.   

We pray that you and your family stay healthy and safe! 


Message 2,  3/17/2020, 10:00 A.M.
Reason: Updating Status of SRE Classes.

All SRE classes (first though eighth and Confirmation I and II ) have been cancelled until further notice. Parents, please watch your mail because we will be sending home classroom materials for you and your child to complete during this time. As soon as we know when we will resume classes, we will contact you.

The Sacrament of Confirmation is still scheduled for Saturday, April 25 at 10AM and the Sacrament of First Communion is scheduled for Sunday, May 3 at 12:30pm Mass. But these dates are subject to change.

Masses have been cancelled, but the church will be open for personal prayer.

Watch the bulletin and check St. Nicholas’ website for information about other activities and news of our parish.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the SRE Office 949-837-7676.

We pray that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy. 


Message 1, 3/16/2020, 7:00 P.M.
Reason: Restricting gatherings of more than 10 people.

Based on the advice of the Diocese of Orange, beginning Wednesday March 18, 2020, all Weekday and Sunday Masses are cancelled until further notice. In addition all parish events, meetings and activities, including the March 25, 2020, Penance Service are immediately cancelled.  

Funerals will not be affected by these Mass cancellations.

We will update these messages as changes occur. 

We have also posted to our website a message from the Diocese of Orange. 

Thank your for your patience during these difficult times.

With my prayers for you and your family,

 Father George P. Blais