My dear Parishioners,

On March 19, 2020, the Senate introduced the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” aka the CARES Act. It was subsequently signed by President Trump on March 27, 2020. This bill created a $2 trillion economic relief package for the purpose of protecting the American people from public health and economics impacts of COVID-19.

Through the attentiveness and persistence of our Business Manager, Maya Bashoury, our parish successfully secured a CARES loan of $115,500, effective May 4, 2020. This money [known as the Payroll Protection Program (PPP)] will be used to cover the salaries, wages and benefits of our parish and preschool staff as well as rent and utilities until the end of June. When the shutdown occurred in Oregon on March 23, 2020, my commitment to our parish and preschool staff was that they would not be laid off. As pastor, I thought that as a parish we owed them some financial security during this time of great uncertainty. In the meantime all of our staff have carried out their jobs as best they could using remote communications and providing the children, teens and adults with the learning experiences and supplies that they need. Our commitment to our preschool families was that no child would need to leave the program simply because a family member was suddenly unemployed. We told them that all the children could finish out the school year together regardless of the COVID-19 impact on their families.

Receiving this loan from the Federal Government is a huge help to our parish budget for the months of May and June. I do want to emphasis, though, that after June, we are on our own. Therefore, I strongly recommend that we all continue the ongoing support of our parish. We all have much to do in serving our parishioners and meeting their needs for catechesis and spiritual growth during these trying times. I would like to remind you that we continue to live stream our Sunday Mass at 11:00 am and also a daily Mass on Wednesday at Noon. I invite you to join us.

I ask God’s blessings on all of you. I know that remaining at home is hard, especially for the children. As this Pandemic moves through our society as a roaring lion seeking someone to devour (1Peter 5:8), I ask that you stay safe, follow the leadership given us by the medical community and wait for better days. They will come, I do believe, but this whole situation will take longer to safely resolve that we had hoped.

AMDG (Ad maiorem Dei gloriam “For the greater glory of God”)*

Fr. Bill

*This closing was typically used by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, at the end of his correspondence.

May 21,2020

During these challenging times, we are all looking for ways to help those most in need. Resurrection has a few incredible opportunities, Resurrection Food Distribution, St. Vincent de Paul and Father’s Heart Street Ministry, helping out people in need and the most vulnerable. Whether you are able to give of your time or make a donation, any organization would be happy to hear from you. 

Resurrection’s Food, Family and Faith distribution

The Archdiocese of Portland has taken on the task to assist with the distribution of food boxes. Resurrection has decided to be a distribution site and will have a refrigerated truck in our parking lot Tuesdays and Thursday, at 9:00 am starting May 19th until the end of June. If there is additional funding then the time frame will be extended. We need your help in the distribution of boxes. Right now (5/21/20), our volunteer sign up is full. Please check back for new openings.  Please sign up here to make this effort a possibility. 

This is an evolving effort so we ask for your patience. Thank you for your support. For questions please contact Mayra Mendoza at mmendoza@rcparish.org or Betsy Taylor at btaylor@rcparish.org

St. Vincent de Paul:

St. Vincent will have a Pentecost Sunday Food drive to refill their pantry that is very low on supplies. Please help us stock up! See below for a shopping list. 

Click St. Vincent de Paul to go to their page and click here for shopping list of items they are most in need. 

The Portland Emergency Service Center provides referral services for food, rent and utilities to the SVdP conferences in Multnomah and Clackamas counties. 

If you can help by answering phone lines to book appoints or data entry, the Emergency Services Center is in need. The commitment frequency depends on your schedule, but it needs to be over some months. Training is provided, and it will take two or three sessions before you are working independently in the center. The center is located at 8101 SE Cornwell St., Portland. Please contact Craig Loughridge, Center Manager at craig.l@svdpportland.org if you are able to help.

Father’s Heart:

Click Father’s Heart Ministry for their page:

Father’s Heart at Resurrection supports the Father’s Heart Street Ministry in Oregon City by providing meals to the homeless of our community. Through the Big Dream Campaign Resurrection has also taken on some projects at Father’s Heart to help them better serve the community. Please check out their page for ways you can help.