March 25, 2020

To the members of the Saint Finbar Church community,

I am writing to address concerns you may have regarding COVID-19 and our parish’s response to this rapidly unfolding situation. But first, I want to assure you that you and your loved ones are in my prayers and that the clergy and staff at Saint Finbar Church are here for you, as always, during these uncertain times.

During this time, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez is encouraging Catholics to pray at home and participate in the Holy Mass via the internet. The Archdiocese will livestream daily and Sunday Masses from the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels via Facebook, Youtube, and at https://lacatholics.org/emergency/. During the COVID-19 emergency, I will be communicating with the Saint Finbar Church community via video. Please visit https://vimeo.com/saintfinbarchurch throughout the week and bookmark the location.

We will also continue to update and communicate with our community via the internet through Saint Finbar Church’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, News In Brief and website. If you know of anyone who would like to receive updates from us periodically, please encourage them to send us an email at newsinbrief@stfinbarburbank.org.

Finally, our parish will continue to rely on your financial support as we work to serve the many needs of our community in the coming weeks. So, if you find it in your heart to do so, we welcome your offerings. Please consider sending your weekly contribution electronically, such as via Bill Pay through your financial institution, or using our online giving portal: https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/saintfinbarchurch

Remember, when St. Pope John Paul II encouraged us to “be not afraid,” he was not implying that we did not have anything to be afraid of. Rather, he was reminding us that our sights are set on heaven, on God, and on His holy will. I am confident that our loving community will embrace this crisis as Christian stewards and love one another sacrificially, check on neighbors, and make sure the most vulnerable have the necessities to get through this crisis.

Please join me in praying for the repose of those who have died, for the recovery of those who are sick, for the strength of healthcare workers and caregivers, and for an end to this global health crisis.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Rev. Francis Mendoza
Pastor

25 de marzo de 2020

A los miembros de la comunidad de la Iglesia de San Finbar,

Les estoy escribiendo para tratar las preocupaciones que puedan tener con respecto al COVID-19 y la respuesta de nuestra parroquia durante esta situación que se desarrolla rápidamente. Pero primero que nada, quiero asegurarles que ustedes y sus seres queridos están en mis oraciones y que el clero y el personal de la Iglesia de San Finbar están aquí para ayudarles, como siempre, durante estos tiempos inciertos.

Durante este tiempo, el arzobispo José H. Gómez está invitando a todos los católicos a orar en casa y participar en la Santa Misa a través del Internet. La Arquidiócesis estará transmitiendo en vivo y en directo desde la Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Los Ángeles a través de Facebook, Youtube, y en https://lacatholics.org/emergency/. Durante la emergencia COVID-19, yo me comunicaré por video con la comunidad de San Finbar. Por favor visite https://vimeo.com/saintfinbarchurch durante la semana.

También continuaremos actualizando y comunicándonos con ustedes a través de las redes sociales de la Iglesia de San Finbar (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), correo electrónico (News In Brief) y nuestra página web. Si usted sabe de alguien que le gustaría recibir actualizaciones de nosotros periódicamente, por favor invítelos a mandarnos un correo electrónico a newsinbrief@stfinbarburbank.org.

Por ultimo, nuestra parroquia continuara confiando en su apoyo financiero mientras trabajamos para atender a las necesidades de nuestra comunidad durante las próximas semanas. Por lo tanto, si usted encuentra en su corazón hacerlo, le damos la bienvenida a sus ofrendas. Considere enviar su contribución semanal electrónicamente, ya sea a través de su banco utilizando la función de “Bill Pay”, o utilizando nuestro portal de donación: https://giving.parishsoft.com/app/giving/SaintFinbarChurch.

Recuerden, cuando San Juan Pablo II nos animó a “no tener miedo”, no estaba diciéndonos que no teníamos nada que temer, por el contrario, nos recordaba que nuestras miradas deben estar enfocadas en el cielo, en Dios, y en Su Santa voluntad. Confió en que nuestra comunidad abrazará esta crisis como buenos administradores cristianos y se amarán uno al otro en sacrificio, cuidarán a sus vecinos, y harán lo posible para que los mas vulnerables tengan todo lo que necesiten para superar esta crisis.

Por favor, únanse a mí para orar por el eterno descanso de los que han muerto, por la recuperación de los enfermos, por la fuerza para los trabajadores y cuidadores de la salud, y por el fin de esta crisis sanitaria mundial.

Sinceramente tuyo en Cristo,

Padre Francis Mendoza
Párroco

In this time of need, Archbishop Gomez invites the faithful to seek together the maternal intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We fly to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.
For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.
Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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