On the city and county scene, I am working with an ecumenical coalition of 37 pastors of Protestant churches in Oakland to dialogue with the Mayor and Alameda County Board of Supervisors.
In the meantime, we continue to live stream Sunday and daily Masses. Some pastors are administering Holy Communion outside of Mass, following strict safety guidelines. I participated in a parking lot Sunday service, with Exposition, Liturgy of the Word, homily and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, at Santa Maria Parish in Orinda. We had about 90 cars in the lot, and the parishioners were very appreciative.
Another pastor has commenced First Holy Communion inviting three children and their parents to attend Mass every weekday evening, social distanced, etc. It will take him about six weeks to get through the whole class.
I performed an Ordination to the Diaconate for the Capuchin Franciscan Friars last weekend – with only 10 in attendance, and live streamed. There are creative things we can do to safely worship God and practice our Faith, until we can fully reopen.
In the meantime, we have postponed our diocesan Ordinations to the Priesthood, originally scheduled for May 29, to Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral. We are postponing the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress from this summer until the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 6, 2021. As of now, we still planning on ordaining our transitional deacons on Saturday, Aug. 8 — but it still remains unclear as to how many we can invite to attend.
The above comes from Bishop Michael Barber’s account in a May 21 release from the Oakland diocese.
Bishop Barber and Archbishop Cordileone, with deepest respect for both of you good men and fine shepherds, it is time for courage and leadership from our bishops — you. Please follow the courageous leadership of your brother bishops from Minnesota, and announce to the walking scandal, who masquerades as a Catholic, and parades as the governor of this once great state, that you have instructed your priests to begin the public celebration of the sacred mass on May 31 — the feast of Pentecost. Follow the leadership of our protestant brothers. Your flock will have the courage to follow you. We need our bishops to be leaders. We need our bishops to be men.
I have a feeling this is the first time you have ever said “Follow the leadership of our protestant brothers”
yes. but it is true. lets give them credit where it is due.