DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION AND PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS
The Distribution of Holy Communion and public Celebration of Mass will begin June 13, at 4:00 PM, and June 14, at 8:00 AM.
The number of persons permitted to attend Mass in a church or other approved indoor location is not determined by a set number recommended by public health personnel. It is determined by the number of persons who can be accommodated within that space according to the plan for safe physical distances in each church. We are using the standard of 6 feet between those not from the same household. Therefore, the calculation of this number of persons will take into account couples or families who reside together in the same dwelling and may sit together.
If the weather permits, these two Masses will be celebrated outside near the statue of St. Joseph. We will use a ‘bring your own lawn chair’ policy for a while. People who do not fit into the designated area may remain in their Cars during Mass and we will bring communion to the parking lot areas. All are reminded that the Christian faithful are not obliged to participate at Mass on Sunday due to the circumstance of the Coronavirus pandemic. This remains in effect until further notice.
Everyone is still strongly urged to view the celebration of Sunday Mass on TV, or via the internet.
BEGINNING JUNE 13 and 14, Sr. Linda will be available in front of the Church for distribution of Holy Communion on Saturdays at 5:30 PM, and Sundays at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. You are free to remain in your cars or to come to the outside entrance near the chapel.
Again, please remember to wear your Mask.
Beginning June 13 and 14, Fr. Jozef will begin to hear Confessions on Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., and Sunday Mornings at 7:30 a.m. A simple confessional space will be designated outdoors, near the chapel entrance. In the case of inclement weather,, confessions will take place in the Church basement.
You are also free to contact Fr. Jozef to set up an appointment time to meet with him at a time more suitable to your schedule. Please remember to wear a mask.
Mass Intentions will resume on the weekend of June 13/June 14. Masses which were already requested for the rest of the year will remain as scheduled.
Masses that were not celebrated during the quarantine will be rescheduled at the earliest possible time.
If you have any questions regarding a specific intention, please call the office at 742-7075, or email abishopamato@dioceseaj.org.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
The date for First Holy Communion will be announced next week.
Good and gracious Lord,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride,
you banish violence from our midst
and wipe away our tears.
On this Memorial Day,
we humbly pray to you God of power and mercy
for those men and women who courageously
laid down their lives
for the cause of freedom.
Bring them safely into your kingdom
of justice and peace to live with you forever.
May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us
the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Bless the families of our fallen troops,
and fill their homes and their lives
with your strength, comfort and peace.
Please embolden us to answer the call
to work for lasting peace and true justice,
and thus seek an end to violence and conflict
in the world you created be good,
so that we may all deserve to be called
your sons and daughters.
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY to all of you. As a special gift you are invited to stop at our church and pick up a music sheet with the most popular patriotic songs and their history.
You can also watch on our parish Facebook page a short service consisting of singing, beautiful organ music, and prayer.
According to the Bishop’s directives, issued on May 20, 2020, priests may resume the public celebration of Reconciliation beginning on May 23, 2020.
The Distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful may begin on June 1, 2020, while continuing the celebration of private Masses.
The celebration of public Masses may resume on the weekend of June 13-14, 2020.
All clergy have received the directives below from Bishop Mark, parishioners will receive further updates from their parish.
Bishop Mark asks the faithful to continue being patient as the sacraments are made available, and he assures parishioners that the appropriate training measures and safety precautions will occur.
“We rejoice at the progress being made, and we continue to pray for one another in the days ahead,” said the Bishop.
RESUMPTION OF PUBLICLY SCHEDULED CONFESSIONS
Beginning Saturday, May 23, 2020, pastors and administrators may resume the regular public celebration of the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation with these requirements:
DISTRIBUTION OF HOLY COMMUNION AND PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF MASS
Pastors and administrators may begin the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful on June 1, 2020, while continuing the celebration of private Masses.
Beginning June 14, 2020, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday), pastors and administrators may begin the public celebration of Mass while continuing the Distribution of Holy Communion according to the same directives.
Changes to these directives may occur based on the further spread or mitigation of COVID-19.