Our church re-opened on Saturday, June 13, 2020.

New mass schedule: 

Monday-Saturday - 9:00am

Saturday - 5:00pm

Sunday - 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 6:00pm

Sacrament of Reconciliation - Saturday 4:00-4:30pm in the Gathering Area.

IMPORTANT: Protocols for the Reopening of Churches to Public Liturgical Celebrations (By Mandate of The Apostolic Administrator of The Diocese of Paterson)

The Diocese of Paterson has been in close communication with State officials, medical professionals, and the other dioceses of the State. We wish to provide the faithful with access to the liturgical life of the Church while maintaining the public health and safety of the faithful and others with whom they may have contact.

Each parish community or institution will be required to work closely together, involving clergy, staff, and volunteers in order to implement these guidelines and to provide, as much as it is humanly possible, a safe environment proper for Liturgy during this pandemic.

THESE GUIDELINES ARE NOT SUGGESTIONS. THEY ARE, FOR THE MEANTIME, PARTICULAR LAW OF THE DIOCESE OF PATERSON, ESTABLISHED THROUGH THE AUTHORITY OF THE APOSTOLIC ADMINISTRATOR WHO POSSESSES THE AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FOR THE ORDINARY FUNCTIONING OF THE DIOCESE.

THE GUIDELINES BELOW PERTAIN TO THE APPROPRIATE AND SAFE FUNCTIONING OF ORDINARY LITURGICAL LIFE IN THE LOCAL CHURCH OF PATERSON. THEREFORE, THESE MATTERS REQUIRE ADHERENCE BY ALL PARISHES AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES WHERE THE SACRED LITURGY IS CELEBRATED.

General Guidelines

1.  A person with a cough or fever of any kind should stay home to protect the health of others.
2. No group for any celebration of the Mass, sacraments, and funerals should be larger than 25% of the total seating capacity within the Church.
3. Churches may be open for private visits outside of scheduled services, but this is left to the discretion of the pastor. The hours should be posted. There should be a plan to properly clean the church and keep it a safe environment after the hours of private visits.
4.  Regularly cleaning and disinfecting commonly-touched surfaces in the church is necessary. This should be done after every service in the church.
5.  A reasonable period of "empty time" should be scheduled after the time when people leave the church so the entire church can be washed, wiped down, and sanitized. Only then can people be admitted into the next Mass.
6. All hymnals and missalettes should be removed from the church pews.
7. Hand sanitizers are to be placed at the entrance into the church and in a place easily accessible to the priest presiding at the liturgy.
8.  All persons over the age of 2 should wear face masks.
9.  Restrooms should only be used in case of necessity. They should be supplied with cleaning materials. Instructions should be posted so that anyone who uses the facility knows exactly what to do.
10. Only one entrance/door should be open for each building. However, all doors should allow for egress in case of emergency.
11. Exits and emergency exits should be tested beforehand and well known to the congregation in case of the need to exit in an emergency.
12. Provision should be made for the handicapped.

Particular Guidelines

1. Mass attendance must be limited to 25% of seating capacity, as noted above. It is left to the discretion of the pastor to determine how this is to be, e.g. first-come, first-served basis, registering on line, lottery etc.

Pastors must clearly publicize in advance whatever way they select so that people may understand that, if they arrive after the permitted number has been reached, they may have to be turned away. This is to protect everyone's health and to follow the regulations on health and safety.

2. Volunteers should be available to welcome parishioners to church, maintaining six feet of social distance, directing them toward seating and limiting the number of persons to whom the church is accessible.

3. Holy Water fonts and the baptismal fonts are to remain empty. When Baptism is celebrated, small individual bottles of purified water should be blessed and be used for each adult or infant individually.

4. There is to be no choir. Singing should be discouraged in general. Singing, especially in close proximity to others, may increase the risk of viral spread.

The parts of the Mass, e.g., Gloria, Gospel Acclamation, etc. must be recited. 

5. Electronic giving should be encouraged weekly so that the practice becomes more widespread now and permanently into the future.

6. Ushers should wear gloves when placing the offerings into the plastic security bags mandated through Diocesan Collection Procedures.

7. The Exchange of Peace is to be shared without human contact.

8. Social distancing should be maintained by the faithful when they approach to receive the Eucharist at Communion time. Please allow six feet between each person in the line going to receive the Eucharist. The faithful should be encouraged to bring hand sanitizer to use before the reception of Holy Communion,

9. The Body of Christ should be placed in the hands of the communicant.

10. The distribution of the Precious Blood from the chalice is discontinued for the foreseeable future. The Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ is received under either species.

11. For now, when a priest is approached for celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the confessional is not used. There should be a safe social distance between the priest and penitent in a public and yet appropriate space.

These Protocols and Procedures are promulgated for the Diocese of Paterson and effective when churches are opened to the public. They are effective immediately, unless, if, by the content of the particular protocol or procedure, it is clear that it is a protocol which must immediately be implemented. 

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Thank you for your prayers and financial support. Keep these reminders in mind:

1. Please remember you can still order the mass intentions; they are going to be celebrated by Fr. Pawel in his private chapel in the rectory.
2. Thank you for your continued financial contribution. You can support our parish by giving online or by simply mailing or dropping off your envelopes to the black mailbox by the parish office.
3. Please read Fr. Pawel’s article about the Spiritual Communion and Act of Contrition. It may help you grow spiritually.  
4. Revisit Fr. Pawel's Letters of Encouragement during these uncertain times and keep your spirit up.

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