As per Bishop and the Diocese of Paterson: 

ALL CHURCH BUILDINGS AND CHAPELS BE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. 

Government health officials have indicated that the next two weeks will usher in a virulent spread of the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, Church buildings are not to be open for any period of time during the day or night.

--------------------------------------------------

Norms for Holy Week, the Paschal Triduum, and Easter in the Diocese of Paterson By Mandate of the Bishop. 

HOLY WEEK, THE PASCHAL TRIDUUM, AND EASTER WILL BE CELEBRATED WITHOUT THE PHYSICAL PARTICIPATION OF THE FAITHFUL. (LIVE STREAM LINKS BELOW AND ON SIDEBAR)

The Chrism Mass is postponed to a date following Easter. The announcement of the date of the celebration will be given at a later time. The Sacred Chrism and Holy Oils consecrated and blessed last year remain for the administration of the sacraments. The administration of sacraments are completely valid and licit with the use of the Sacred Chrism and Holy Oils consecrated and blessed last year. 

Passion (Palm) Sunday: Palm is not to be blessed for distribution at this time; it will be blessed and distributed at a later time. The third form for the Entrance, i.e., The Simple Entrance as designated in the Roman Missal is to be used. All forms of the procession are suspended but the designated antiphon in the form of the simple Entrance may be used. 

Holy Thursday: The priests of the parish may celebrate the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at any hour of the day and in any suitable place without people. The washing of feet, already optional, is omitted in every celebration this year. The procession to the place of adoration is omitted and the Blessed Sacrament is not available for adoration.  It is appropriate for the parish priest to spend some time before the Blessed Sacrament following the Mass in prayer for the people of his parish. The parish church should not be kept open on the evening of Holy Thursday to prevent the gathering of large crowds. 

Good Friday: To the measure that it is possible, the parish priest should celebrate the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion without people present. There is no veneration of the cross by the people. A special intention for the sick, the dead, and those who feel lost or dismayed is to be added to the Universal Prayer. The parish church should not be kept open on Good Friday to prevent the gathering of large crowds. 

The Easter Vigil: Where there is a real possibility of doing so, determined by the pastor responsible, the Easter Vigil is celebrated in the parish church. The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil or Lucenarium is omitted. The Paschal Candle is simply lit and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) follows. The Liturgy of the Word then takes place. For the Baptismal Liturgy only the Renewal of Baptism Promises is necessary. The font is not blessed. 

All expressions of popular piety and processions, i.e., live Stations of the Cross, processions with the Sorrowful Mother or other types of processions are suspended. Such expressions of piety may be moved to later dates which will be announced at an appropriate time.

Easter food is not blessed at the parish or any other public setting. The faithful may be referred to an adaptation made by the pastor and distributed via the internet of the Order for the Blessing of Food for the First Meal of Easter in the Book of Blessings. 

The Mass of Easter Day may be celebrated and the faithful joined spiritually with the liturgical action through live stream. 

All the above guidelines apply to religious houses, institutes and communities.

--------------------------------------------------

LIVE STREAM LINKS

Bishop Serratelli will be presiding at the following livestreamed liturgies at St. Paul Inside the Walls: 

Sunday, April 5, Palm Sunday at 11:00am

Holy Thursday, April 9 at 7:00pm 

Good Friday, April 10 at 3:00pm

Easter Vigil, April 11 at 8:00pm 

Easter Sunday, April 12 at 11:00am

https://www.facebook.com/stpaulinsidethewalls

Here are links to local daily Masses livestreamed at other times:

Corpus Christ in Chatham at 7:30am: https://corpuschristi.org/parish-livestream

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Boonton at 8:00am: https://www.olmc.church/mission-hub/#stream

St. Margaret in Morristown at 10:00am in English and 12:00 noon in Spanish: https://www.facebook.com/stmargaretmorristown/

--------------------------------------------------

Due to COVID-19 situation, the Parish Office will also be closed until further notice.

If you need our assistance, please call us at 201-248-2201 or email us at office@stcatherineofbologna.org

We will respond promptly and apologize for any inconvenience.

--------------------------------------------------

Catholic News & Perspective

Good News From the Beacon

Daily Readings and Prayer