Dear Parishioners,

Two Mondays ago (June 29), I was notified by a couple (to whom I had given communion, with whom I chatted after a daily Mass [Wed., June 24] at St. Anne) that they had been diagnosed with COVID-19. I was visiting my 94 yr. old mother in Dallas, OR at the time, and after the initial surprise, I went to the Dallas hospital where they turned me away, as I had no symptoms. I then called my doctor back in Grants Pass, and they thought I should be tested. So, I immediately packed up, said goodbye to my mother, and headed back home. I took the test the next day and was eventually diagnosed COVID-19 negative. Whew! That being said, I knew that I would still need to be quarantined regardless, for these tests have a 30% false-negative rate, meaning that 30% of the time, the negative reading is not accurate. So, by the time you read this, I will have completed the recommended 14 day (figured from the day of exposure) quarantine. I feel well and never had any symptoms. Thank God!

When we learned about the couple’s health status, we were able to contact all the parishioners who attended that Wednesday Mass and the previous Sunday Mass where the couple attended so that parishioners could contact their doctors to get advice. Thank God for good contact tracing! But, it didn’t end there. I learned later that the couple attended a ministry gathering that same day at Our Lady of the River (OLR). We then contacted all those who were in the ministry group. It was through those phone calls that we learned that several other members in that group had contracted COVID-19 with various levels of symptoms. Thankfully, none of the members of that ministry group returned to church due to being ill or self-quarantining. That has allowed us to keep OLR open. I am so thankful that the original couple contacted me as soon as they learned of their health situation which, in turn, allowed us to be active and help prevent it from spreading to other parishioners. That’s how our COVID prevention process is supposed to work. Of course, had the couple known that they had been exposed themselves, they would never had purposely exposed anyone else. Yet, how could they have known? So I hope you can see, we need to be vigilant about our interactions with each other, not just for our own sakes, but for the sake of the good of others.

How did these folks contract the Coronavirus? I do not know. However, this serves as an opportunity to remember our guidelines for going to Mass and for ministries that decide to meet in-person. Minimally, all members should:

- Wear Face Coverings during the event if at all possible (those with disabilities or health issues may be exempt to this guideline).
- Maintain physical distancing.
- Host short meetings.
- Don’t share food.
- Do not sing.
- Frequently wash your hands.
- Do not touch each other.
- Don’t touch your face.
- If using the bathroom, make sure to disinfect as you go, and only one person in the bathroom at a time. - If anyone feels ill or has symptoms of illness, they should not attend the event.
- All ministry leaders need to maintain the list of those who attended and make it available to the church. (At St. Anne, all ministry leadership is supposed to turn in that list to the office mail slot at the end of the meeting).

I was fortunate not to have contracted the Coronavirus in my encounter, likely due to the fact that I and the infected couple were all wearing masks during our meeting. Also, we never touched each other and the encounter was short, not even a minute long.

As things develop, we are learning more. Remember, what we are trying to do is not motivated by partisan politics, but strictly for the health and safety of all. A question arose this past week about face masks and other options. According to the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and shared through the Archdiocese of Portland, "Face Coverings” are now required. That means all persons must wear some form of Face Covering when attending Mass, except “anyone who has a medical condition that makes it hard to breathe when wearing a face covering… or has a disability that prevents the individual from wearing a face covering” (Face Covering Facts, OHA). So, when you enter and check in/sign in for Mass, you can wear your favorite cloth mask, bandana, scarf, or one of our disposable masks, or a Face Shield. These should also be used if you are going to attend any church event or meeting. We will be offering instrumental music at Mass, and urge that nobody sing except on the rare occasion we have a cantor (ie. funeral), and even then, only the cantor should sing. As guidance changes, we will do our best to let you know what that is. Yes. It gets confusing, for the guidance changes as the health care professionals learn more.

This past few weeks have been worrisome for many, as the Coronavirus paid our faith community a visit. Let us join together to pray for those who are ill locally and abroad. We will continue to strive to adhere to policies and procedures from the OHA and the Archdiocese and beg your patience ahead of time for the inconvenience they may create for you and your loved ones. Please be mindful of your own health and practice safe behaviors to lessen the spread of illness. The actions of the couple I encountered once they realized their situation is commendable, for they may have preserved lives and the safety of others. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me.

Blessings and stay safe,

Fr. William Holtzinger
Pastor