Mass Disruption
a coronavirus update
Dear Saints,
Please see the attached directives from Bishop Serratelli.
The main points are:
Effective immediately, all Masses in the Diocese of Paterson are to be offered only privately.
All gatherings of the faithful are suspended. This includes the Welcome Home to Healing initiative, all penance services, and Stations of the Cross.
The Sacrament of Confirmation will not be celebrated until further notice.
Baptisms, weddings, and funerals may be celebrated at the discretion of the local pastor.
I am deeply pained by this situation, but am committed to taking reasonable precautions to prevent the spread of disease to our vulnerable populations. This is one of the costs of love, and we are ready to bear it together.
As we make our agonizing journey along the Way of the Cross, we will keep the church open and safe as best we can. NJ's non-restricted hours are from 5:00am to 8:00pm, and you can expect the church to be available for private prayer during those hours.
No Masses or public devotions will be celebrated here for some time, but we are looking into broadcasting options so that we can still harness the power of our gathered community even as our Lenten sojourns now take a lonelier road. If you have any expertise that can be applied to this project, please let me know.
My Masses, though private, will be offered for the intentions listed in our parish Mass book. If you would like to request a Mass, or if you have anything else we can help you with, please be in touch.
And just another reminder (I'll keep harassing you on it) to keep putting the other first. It's too easy to make everyone the enemy right now, but it's yours to persevere in love. Remember the words of Saint John of the Cross: “Where there is no love, put love -- and you will find love.” Let's think of how we can respond to this charge both individually and together!
My friends, I love you very dearly. God will get us through this in due course: the Easter celebration of our lives awaits!
Oremus pro Invicem - Let us Pray for Each Other!
Christ's Peace,
Father Daniel
δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ