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Message from Bishop Barber
- Oakland Diocese Coronavius Recommendations 3/16/20

From: Fr. Gerry, Pastor
April 16, 2020

My Dear Parishioners,

Bishop Michael Barber was quick off the mark by stopping congregational Masses. Online Masses are providing vital spiritual support. I joined with 6,855 viewers to join in the celebration of the Eucharist on Easter Sunday with our bishop. The Cathedral Sunday Mass, in English, at 11:00 am can be followed on the Cathedral of Christ the Light website.

As your Pastor, I offer Mass privately, every day, in our side chapel for the parishioners of St. Isidore Parish. Fr. G. offers Mass every day at 3:00, with a reflective homily, and you can join him at https://www.facebook.com/StIsidoreDanvilleCA/ I was most impressed with his Holy Week liturgies and his reflection on the Seven Last Words of Jesus.

We still need to do more to stop the spread of COVID-19. The increased measures over the past couple of weeks appear to be working. Yet, the number of deaths is still shocking. Wearing a face mask in public has seriously slowed down the spread of the virus. In simple terms, wearing a face mask can prevent the spread from you to others. People who have the virus are contagious before they have symptoms. They can spread it without knowing it.

The Czech Republic, knowing they had to do more to contain the spread of the virus, did not wait for the government to supply face masks. They simply made their own. This had an enormous early influence on curtailing the spread of the virus. Wearing face masks in public is acceptable, and the reason is simple -- I protect you, you protect me.

At present, I am busy with our Search Committee working on the selection of a new school principal. I am grateful to parishioner, Tom Bobich, for accepting the position of chairperson of the committee. Tom was active in the hiring of the new school principal at Carondelet High School, Annette Richardson Eror. Our Search Committee is blessed with the following members: Laura Castillo, John Chiorini, Michelle Devine, Brain Rivera, Jean Schroeder, Mahsa Tippins, Jill Tripaldi and Karen Goodshaw. I am most grateful to our outgoing school principal, Maria Ward, for her years of service and personal support. Why did I recommend her so highly for the position of principal of the grade school she attended in her home state of Louisiana?????

Staff salaries will continue to be a problem without our regular Sunday collections. Our Business Manager, Kendee Sigmon, and I were summonsed this morning to a long conference call with the Chief Financial Officer of the Diocese of Oakland, Paul Bongiovanni, and the Diocesan Attorney re. the challenging financial position at St, Isidore Parish. I am loath to dismiss staff members as they too have bills to pay in these difficult financial times. I ask for your continued generosity during this pandemic to help pay staff salaries -- your donation can always be dropped off in the RECTORY MAILBOX or online here: https://www.osvhub.com/st-isidorechurch/funds

Fr. G. and I look forward to better days ahead! We missed the First Holy Communions, school festivities and graduation dinner, Mass, conferring of diplomas, and most probably Confirmation on May 9th. Also, our presence at funerals, weddings, and being with parishioners during joyful and sorrowful times in their lives.

Wishing your every blessing during the Easter season,

Your Pastor, Fr. Gerard K. Moran
Daily Prayers and Mass
Daily Prayers and Mass are posted on the Facebook account of St. Isidore, Danville: https://www.facebook.com/StIsidoreDanvilleCA/. Fr. G does the daily mass and post it on Facebook at 3 pm daily. Fr. Gerry also does the daily mass privately, praying for the intentions of our parish members. If you have anything or anybody you would like to pray for, please feel free to email Fr. Gerry (gmoran@sichurch.com) or Fr. G (gpedrera@sichurch.com). We will surely include them in our masses.

Giving
At this time, we realize that for some, finances are in flux. Yet, our parish has to honor its financial obligations, such as paying our utility bills, contractors, etc. Please give what you can as your support to our parish is greatly appreciated. Here are three convenient ways to give:
- Go to www.sichurch.com and click on the Donate tab at the top right of the page You can set up one-time donations or choose the frequency that works best for you.
- Send any checks/donation envelopes to:
  St. Isidore Church
  440 La Gonda Way
  Danville, CA 94526
- Drop off checks and/or donation envelopes in the Rectory mail slot which is located behind the church.
Frequently Asked Questions; About the Parish during the Coronavirus Crisis
March 23rd 2020

We’ve received many questions about St. Isidore’s during this most difficult time. Here are some answers.

1. Is the church open?

No, the church is closed to all Masses and events, however the church is open to daily prayer from 10 AM to 5 PM. If this changes we’ll let you know via Flocknote!

2. Is the church office open?

No, to protect the health of the office staff, the church office is closed for now. We will let the parish know when it will be staffed. Some of the office staff are able to work from home.

3. Can I leave a message at the church office?

Yes, you can leave a phone message on the answering machine and we are working to monitor our voicemail remotely, but this is a new process for us so please be patient.

4. Will mass be celebrated?

No, as stated in the Bishop's letter, we've been asked to cancel all events, including Mass.

5. Are virtual Masses being celebrated so that parishioners may participate remotely?
- Fr. G is livestreaming Mass everyday at 3:00 PM on the St. Isidore the Farmer Facebook page.
- Fr. Sacca at St. Joan of Arc is livestreaming 10:00 AM Sunday Mass here: http://www.sjasr.org/shelter-at-home-resources
- The Archdiocese of San Francisco lists many parishes that are livestreaming Masses including St. Mary’s Cathedral here: https://sfarchdiocese.org/livestreams
- Bishop Barron posts his daily Mass at 8:15 AM EST everyday here: https://www.wordonfire.org/daily-mass/ (this is not live)
- For many more options https://mass-online.org/daily-holy-mass-live-online/ lists Masses from all over the world!
6. What should I do in the event of a funeral, or baptism?
At this point we are looking to suspend everything. We are praying for a creative way to address some of those critical needs. As we have more information and options we will provide updates.

7. Is Father G or Father Gerry making visits to hospital or rest homes?

Yes, we are. There are some limitations and restrictions but it is our intent to continue with critical visits where the facility allows.

8. Can I bring food donations for St Vincent?

Thanks for this wonderful thought. We are working with the St. Vincent organization to develop a way to handle donations. At this time donations may be brought to the rectory.

9. Are any of the small group meetings still scheduled, such as Classic Club, Bible Study, etc.

No, at this time we've been asked to suspend, reschedule or cancel all events and gatherings.

10. When do you think we will resume Mass?

I am hopeful that we will be able to resume Mass sometime in the near future, or find some options to have a Mass celebration. I can tell you that I pray for our entire St. Isidore Community and I encourage you to do this in your own homes.

11. With Easter coming soon what are our plans?

We have received no specific guidance from Bishop Barber with respect to public Holy Week or Easter services. Until we do, the guidance concerning suspension of public Masses must be observed. As we approach Easter, I am hopeful that we will know much more and have options to start resuming our activities. We'll communicate anything we can in the coming days.