An Invitation by Bishop Checchio Live Streamed Recitation of the Holy Rosary
Followed by Live Streamed Mass The Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen
Friday, May 1st Beginning With Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 3:30pm,
Mass at 4:00pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write to you with great hope and confidence that God is close to us in these very difficult days. We must never doubt that our daily concerns are His concerns too. And no one knows our needs better than Jesus’ own
mother, Mary.
Indeed Mary, who is the Mother of the Church and of each one of us, has a deeply intimate concern for us. In her motherly care, we will invoke her to look with tender mercy and compassion on the struggles, sickness, suffering and death that many have experienced in these past weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, we know that only God can bring us the miracle of healing, peace and new life. Our Lady understands the mystery of God’s will more than anyone.
Therefore, with confidence again in turning to Mary, I invite our whole diocese to join me in prayer this Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m. for a live streamed Mass from the Cathedral of St. Francis. I ask too that you tune in earlier at 3:30 p.m. when a live streamed recitation of the Holy Rosary will be led by some of our good
religious sisters of our diocese. As we join in prayer across our diocese, we will be supernaturally joined to the Body of Christ spread throughout the United States and Canada, all seeking the protection and help of Mary, the Mother of the Church. May is our Blessed Mother’s month in particular, so how appropriate we will join together on this day to implore her help and remind us of her closeness to us!
In these days, Mary sees and supports us as we work to defeat this terrible scourge on our land and world. She joins with us in reaching out to our faithful parishioners, the sick, dying, mourning. She guides the work of our
dedicated medical and scientific community as they labor so heroically in caring for the sick and finding cures. She comforts us as we bury the dead, assisting our cemetery workers and funeral directors. She guides our teachers and parents and all those carrying on the work of educating our young, especially in the knowledge of truth and our faith. Finally, she assists us as we care for the poor too during these days, who are so often the ones who suffer most from the economic downturn that afflicts us too. Yes, we need to turn again
to ask her to lift us up at this time and bring us closer to her beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
I carry you all in my prayers and thoughts each day, even as we are socially distanced, you are close to me. I ask you to continue to pray for me and the good works of our diocese too. Please join in prayer on May 1 as we begin Mary’s month!
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Weekday Mass Update
One small step…
A few days ago, the Governor permitted churches to start opening WEEKDAY Masses to the public. At this time, SUNDAY Mass will still be closed to the public and will continue to be shown on Facebook Live.Our first WEEKDAY Mass will be tomorrow Monday, June 1, 2020 at 8 AM.As we have grown used to, there will be a number of restrictions for WEEKDAY Mass:
+ Mass will be held in the church, NOT in the downstairs chapel
+ ONLY 10 people (not including the priest) will be allowed to attend
+ Masks covering your mouth and nose MUST be worn during the ceremony
+ Non-family members must remain 6 feet apart at all times
+ No homily
+ No shaking of hands during Sign of Peace
+ Holy Communion will be dispensed in the hand only. You are allowed to lower your mask to consume the Holy Eucharist
+ After receipt of the Holy Eucharist, do not return to your pew but leave the church. This will help minimize further interaction.Remember that:
+ Dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass will remain in effect until further notice
+ Those in vulnerable groups or who are sick, MUST remain home
+ Bring your own hand sanitizer for use before and after Mass and Holy Communion
+ Gathering before and after Mass is prohibited
The WEEKDAY Mass schedule is as follows:
+ Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 8 AM
+ Wednesday – 7 PM
+ Saturday – No Mass
St. Catherine’s understands that many parishioners do not yet feel comfortable gathering in public places. Our efforts to start daily Mass are a way to test and set up procedures for the future when Sunday Masses for a larger number of participants are allowed.Participation in the celebration of Mass is a critical component of our faith and further reinforces our relationship with Jesus, Our Savior. We pray that we will be permitted to fully gather as one healthy parish in the near future!
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Pentecost Virtual Retreat
Inspired by the impacts and fruits of last year’s all-night Pentecost Vigil, which was part of the Year of Awakening leading to our diocesan consecration, the diocese will offer “A Church of Mission and Purpose: A Virtual Pentecost Retreat,” beginning tomorrow, May 29 at 7 p.m. and concluding on Saturday, May 30 at 5 p.m. with a Vigil Mass of Pentecost, celebrated by Bishop James F. Checchio.
Participants who register for the Pentecost Retreat will have the opportunity to listen to live presentations, witness talks and take part in small breakout sessions. To see the full schedule and to register, visit: www.LightingHeartsOnFire.org. There is no cost to attend. No registration is required to participate in the livestreamed Vigil Mass.
A team of priests, brothers and sisters and lay people will give witness to and encouragement for living fully in the new life that Jesus promises to those who will live by the Holy Spirit.
Through witness talks, presentations, faith-sharing and music, the diocese’s first-ever virtual Pentecost Retreat aims to inspire participants, through the grace of the Holy Spirit, to be refreshed, to pray with expectant faith, and to know that God will do great things in their midst.
A video invitation from Bishop Checchio has been posted to the diocesan website, www.diometuchen.org, and the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DioceseMetuchen, and can also be viewed and downloaded here: https://vimeo.com/423373830.
I invite you to participate and ask you to please share this information with your parishioners by way of email, social media and/or your parish website, encouraging them to virtually participate in this opportunity as we prepare ourselves for Pentecost and the outpouring of His Holy Spirit so that we may be fearless followers and His witness in our world.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of Communications and Public Relations at communications@diometuchen.org.
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Fr. Chester will be hearing confession THIS Saturday(5/23) from 4-5 PM!
I have a confession to make…
You’re in luck! Fr. Chester will be hearing confession
THIS Saturday (5/23) from 4-5 PM!
As always, strict rules apply:
1. ONLY 10 people will be allowed in the church at one time. Someone will be at the front door to maintain this occupancy limit. You MUST be wearing a mask to enter the church.
2. Please sit at least 6 feet apart in the church while waiting.
3. Confession will be administered in the sacristy where a 6 foot distance will be maintained.
4. After confession, please leave the church immediately and perform your penance in the privacy of your car or home.
Please be patient. After weeks of homeschooling, working from home, and being in close proximity to your spouse, people will have a significant amount of sins to confess!
The elderly who are more susceptible to COVID-19 and those who are sick should NOT participate in this penance event in order to prevent any possibility of contracting or spreading the virus.
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Drive Thru Communion
On Sunday, St. Catherine’s will attempt to provide ‘Drive Thru Communion’.It is a delicate balance to be respectful of the Holy Eucharist while adhering to state and diocesan restrictions regarding COVID-19.
Here is the plan:
1. Fr. Chester and Deacon Steve will be in the church parking lot in masks and gloves.
2. Arrive in your car during the following times on Sunday:
a. 10:30-10:45 A.M.
b. 12:00-12:15 P.M.
c. Note that this is before and after the 11 AM mass on Facebook LIVE.
3. Park in every other parking space to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between cars. Keep your windows rolled UP.
4. Reverently prepare along with your family to receive the Holy Eucharist.
5. ONLY roll down your window(s) when Father or the Deacon approach and receive the Holy Eucharist in your hand.
6. Please exit the church parking lot immediately and do not park and plan to congregate or socialize.
7. If arriving before the 11 am mass, please DO NOT attempt to stay for mass.
Per state and diocesan restrictions, masses are still closed to the parishioners and the public.
The elderly who are more susceptible to COVID-19 and those who are sick should NOT participate at this time in order to prevent any possibility of contracting or spreading the virus.
We thank you for your understanding as we try to navigate these troubling times while ensuring we foster as much spiritual graces as we can.
Parishioners, start your engines…
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Live Streamed Recitation of the Holy Rosary
An Invitation by Bishop Checchio Live Streamed Recitation of the Holy Rosary
Followed by Live Streamed Mass The Cathedral of St. Francis, Metuchen
Friday, May 1st Beginning With Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 3:30pm,
Mass at 4:00pm
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write to you with great hope and confidence that God is close to us in these very difficult days. We must never doubt that our daily concerns are His concerns too. And no one knows our needs better than Jesus’ own
mother, Mary.
Indeed Mary, who is the Mother of the Church and of each one of us, has a deeply intimate concern for us. In her motherly care, we will invoke her to look with tender mercy and compassion on the struggles, sickness, suffering and death that many have experienced in these past weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, we know that only God can bring us the miracle of healing, peace and new life. Our Lady understands the mystery of God’s will more than anyone.
Therefore, with confidence again in turning to Mary, I invite our whole diocese to join me in prayer this Friday, May 1 at 4 p.m. for a live streamed Mass from the Cathedral of St. Francis. I ask too that you tune in earlier at 3:30 p.m. when a live streamed recitation of the Holy Rosary will be led by some of our good
religious sisters of our diocese. As we join in prayer across our diocese, we will be supernaturally joined to the Body of Christ spread throughout the United States and Canada, all seeking the protection and help of Mary, the Mother of the Church. May is our Blessed Mother’s month in particular, so how appropriate we will join together on this day to implore her help and remind us of her closeness to us!
In these days, Mary sees and supports us as we work to defeat this terrible scourge on our land and world. She joins with us in reaching out to our faithful parishioners, the sick, dying, mourning. She guides the work of our
dedicated medical and scientific community as they labor so heroically in caring for the sick and finding cures. She comforts us as we bury the dead, assisting our cemetery workers and funeral directors. She guides our teachers and parents and all those carrying on the work of educating our young, especially in the knowledge of truth and our faith. Finally, she assists us as we care for the poor too during these days, who are so often the ones who suffer most from the economic downturn that afflicts us too. Yes, we need to turn again
to ask her to lift us up at this time and bring us closer to her beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
I carry you all in my prayers and thoughts each day, even as we are socially distanced, you are close to me. I ask you to continue to pray for me and the good works of our diocese too. Please join in prayer on May 1 as we begin Mary’s month!
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St. Catherine of Siena Live!
AWESOME EASTER NEWS!!! TELL YOUR FRIENDS!!!
Do you miss Fr. Chester? Do you miss Mass at St. Catherine’s?
You’re in luck! On Easter Sunday, we will push the bounds of the internet and broadcast Sunday Mass via Facebook Live!
All you need to do is have a Facebook account and ‘like’ the St. Catherine of Siena Church Facebook page.
At 11 AM on Easter Sunday (or a little before), go onto Facebook and you should see a notice of the Facebook Live broadcast in your news feed.
See Fr. Chester, see the church, partake in Mass, AND worship virtually with your friends and neighbors!
Visit us on Facebook
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