St. Jude Catholic Church Eugene OR

September 19-20

Dear St. Jude Family,

Blessings of safety and good health! I know that things around us are much more complicated than ever. We are not yet done with the damaging global effect of Covid-19, and yet another environmental tragedy hits us again – the wildfire in the northwest region of the United States. It is disheartening to know that a number of our brothers and sisters are dealing with much more stress on their plate right now. In this most difficult time, let us remember in our prayers those who are most affected by this environment calamity such as the firefighters and medical responders, the displaced families in the evacuation centers, the people who lost their homes and their livelihood to the fire, the people who got injured and died from this catastrophic wildfire, and the local government in providing care and help  to all the victims.  Below is a prayer that we can recite in face of the danger of fire.

Almighty and eternal God, we ask Your protection against destroying fire.
Fire is so very necessary for our existence, and yet, 
when it gets out of control, it can be more damaging than anything else. 
Keep our homes and buildings and woods and fields
safe from this scourge.
Help us always to be most careful in our use of it.
Help us especially in the wintertime when we need and use it most.
For then, if our homes are destroyed by fire, we suffer more than ever.
Give us, too, we humbly pray You, a saving fear of the fires of passion,
and the help of Your grace to control them. 
Help us also to fear the fires of hell,
that we may always keep away from serious sin
and live lives of goodness and virtue,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

With regard to our regular parish schedules, we will continue to be in active operation. The Parish Office will remain open and on-going, unless otherwise advised by the Archdiocese or in actual imminent danger of circumstances. As the pastor of St. Jude Church, we will continue to hold daily and weekend Mass services for the sacramental life and needs of our parishioners. 

Again, thank you for your unwavering financial support to our parish. We continue to meet the on-going operational needs of the parish, because of your generosity and commitment to our parish mission/stewardship. You can continue to give your donation through the following: (1) at Mass; (2) online-donations; (3) dropping it off to the parish office; (4) mailing it through the post office mail.  

Also, for those who are interested to extend assistance to the wildfire victims, please personally contact me in the parish, so I can help you channel your support to legit donation organizations. Take good care now and be safe. God bless.

Praying for you all,
Fr. Pao