St. Jude Catholic Church Eugene OR

August 1-2

Dear St. Jude Family,

A blessed month of August! Hope that you are all healthy and safe, as we enter into another month with optimism and peace. As your pastor, I continue to lift you up in my prayers and at Mass that you may all be safe everyday. It has been a month since I arrived, and I feel blessed to have a community like you, who take good care of one another and of their priest. I feel cared for by you. In particular, I thank you all for being receptive and supportive to my initiatives. I have already met some of you at the weekend Masses and through the council and committee meetings we have had. I look forward to meeting other committee leaders in the near future.  My goal is to be able to meet all of you either in person or online conference. It is a joy to me to get to know more parishioners. This is something I always look forward to in spite of the pandemic challenges.

To give you some parish updates, the following are important undertakings that I would like you to know about, so that we are all on the same page in responding accordingly:

WEEKEND LIVE STREAM MASS.  Last weekend, I launched a new project in our parish. We are now doing LIVESTREAM MASS for the weekend via St. Jude Church Facebook (FB)account. The LIVESTREAM MASS schedule may vary --EITHER on Saturday, 5:00 pm Mass OR Sunday, 11:30 am Mass. If all goes well, this week's livestream will be Saturday at 5PM. Note that even after the Mass, you can watch a recording. Click  the "like" button of this page, so that it will appear on your FB wall.  I took the initiative to make our weekend Mass available to parishioners who cannot come to Mass in person. In this way, they can still get rooted in our community during this pandemic and get the parish weekly updates. Also, because in as much as I want everyone to still be involved in our parish life, I also want to build a personal relationship with each of you. This project was made possible because of the Parish Committee on Social Media. They generously offered their talents and time to help our community. Just click this link: Facebook 

COMMUNION TO THE SICK. I would like to invite those who are interested to bring Jesus to  our homebound parishioners -  those who cannot come to Mass either due to old age or health problem (not COVID related issue). This is one of the parish ministries that I would like to revive. This is for our people who may be a friend, a relative, neighbor, or someone who you may know and who is in need of a priest. Indeed, there is an indulgence and spiritual grace that our life can benefit from in doing this corporal and spiritual work of mercy.

PARISH EMERGENCY HOTLINE. I am launching a parish emergency hotline for the members of our community, who are in life-threatening situations. This is offered, so that you can easily get hold of me in case of an emergency, especially if you would like to request a priest's presence on behalf of your loved ones in critical condition. In those situations that are urgent in nature, parishioners can dial the EMERGENCY HOTLINE. Otherwise it will be a regular appointment through the parish office. The HOTLINE # will be provided in the coming days.

PARISH STEWARDSHIP/MISSION. I thank you beforehand for your generosity and love of our St. Jude Parish. Indeed, part of our love for this community is our stewardship to the on-going needs of our church. As we continue to keep each other in our prayers, let us also continue to remember the parish and its on-going operations. Whatever act of love offering/donation you could extend to our parish will be greatly appreciated. Together, we commit ourselves to the work and mission of St. Jude community. You can give your financial assistance through the following: (1) mailing it to 4330 Willamette Street, Eugene, Oregon 97405; (2) dropping it off at the parish drop box; (3) Coming soon - an online offering made on our St. Jude website. 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM 2020-2021. I have already started to take a closer look at this special program of our parish. This program is something special and close to my heart, as I like teaching myself. I find joy in deepening our faith, knowing the teachings of Jesus and building a personal relationship with Him. Personally, Religious Catechism is crucially important to evangelize our kids and this community. Rest assured that what this program will offer under my supervision is only what is best for your children, so that they may come to know Jesus, love Him and serve Him through their neighbors. With this,  I invite you to entrust your children to the faith formation program of the parish. The parish is NOW accepting registration for this year, from different ages and levels. Please contact me in the parish office for further inquiries.

Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for all your support to our parish in one way or the other. Let us continue to journey together as one family of faith. I am here for you. If ever you needed something, do not hesitate to let me know. Let us pray together, journey together, and serve together!

In Christ,
Fr. Pao