Latest Directives from Diocese of Metuchen

Directives issued by Bishop Checchio in Response to the coronavirus pandemic

Temporary Suspension of Public Masses

All public Masses throughout the Diocese of Metuchen will be temporarily suspended beginning no later than March 18 and resume no earlier than April 3, 2020, when the situation will be re-evaluated as circumstances unfold.  Despite the suspension of public Masses, a private Mass will be celebrated daily at 7am in the Cathedral of Saint Francis of Assisi and can be viewed at that time on their website: www.stfranciscathedral.org.  

The Sacrament of Penance should remain available according to need, but public Penance Services are not to be conducted.  

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick should remain available for true emergencies. 

St. Catherine’s Procedures:

Father Chester will hold a private Mass for those Mass Intentions that have already been offered until our regular Masses resume.  If you have a Mass scheduled and would like to attend that Mass, please phone the Parish Office as the time of the Mass may change.  We ask that only those who have a Mass intention scheduled should attend the Mass.

Remaining Way of the Cross has been cancelled.

All Religious Education Classes have been cancelled.

St. Catherine’s Parish Office will remain open with limited office hours.  If no one is at the office, the phone will automatically be transferred to the Rectory, where Father Chester can be reached.

St. Catherine’s Church will be opened during the day from 9am-2:30pm through the lower level entrance (near the Parish Office) should anyone wish to come in to pray.

As the situation evolves, more resources and updates, as well as the Bishop’s entire letter, will be posted on our diocesan website:  diometuchen.org/coronavirus.