Letter from Deacon Jim
March 27, 2020
Dear Beloved Parishioners,
I want you to know that the entire time that we have been partially shut down in this time of suffering the effects of the COVID-19 virus, you have all been on our hearts and minds. We have been praying for you, longing to see you, serve you, and celebrate Mass with you. We pray that you are well and have kept to Gov. Inslee’s guidelines in “Staying Home, Staying Healthy.” Despite this major change in our ability to gather, minister, educate, serve, as well as enjoy each other’s company, we are one in the Body of Christ Jesus. This oneness is the gift of our faith community even during this time when we cannot be together.
I want to share four things with you:
First, as a result of the closure of our parish offices, we will not be able to process or accept calls or take messages. However, you can email us individually as you need. We will be happy to get back to, especially if you prefer to call you back. Please leave details of your request on the email and if you’d like a number where we can contact you if that is your request.
All of our emails are on our website: https://www.ourladyqueenofheaven.org.
If you’d just like us to pray with you we’d be happy to do that by phone.
Second, Fr. Vinner Raj, is available by appointment for pastoral visits regarding confession and anointing of the sick. If you request that he visit you, remember that all COVID-19 safety protocols and Safe Environment guidelines must be followed. He has been generous to allow us to share his cell number, 425-345-6109, with you. I’m deeply grateful for his openness and willingness to serve our parish. Know too that Fr. Vinner will be streaming mass from his home chapel on Wednesdays and Fridays, at 1pm and Sundays at 10am.
Third, while our offices are closed, our church is still open though with shorted hours for private prayer on Mondays through Thursdays from 10am to 12noon. Either Joan Mikulski, Nathan Scott or Fr. Vinner will be in the Church to make sure that all social distancing is respected for everyone’s safety. Jerry Bradshaw, our Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor ,will sanitize the pews, door handles inside and out as well as the bathrooms every day.
Fourth, now more than ever, Online Giving is critical to our ability to count on your generosity and donations. We will still process the mail twice a week, pay our bills and do payroll. We also understand that some of you have lost your job or loved ones have moved back home. These are hard times. We must all take care of one another, especially our families.
God the Father is with us in this through the love of His Son, Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Join us if you can for the streaming masses or the prayer in our church.
You remain in our prayers as do all those affected by this virus. Please join me in saying this prayer by Kerry Weber daily through the duration of this time. She captures so well our faith and our care for others.
In God’s great love, hope, and mercy,
Deacon Jim
Pastoral Coordinator Our Lady Queen of Heaven
A Prayer Amid an Epidemic
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus.
May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together
and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us.
Kerry Weber is an executive editor of America. www.americamagazine.org
