Dear Parishioners,
This past Monday June 9th the Cardinal announced that we may now offer both weekday AND weekend public Masses. This took us by surprise because just 3 days earlier he stated that the plan was to start public weekend Mass somewhere around the first week of July. With both Fr. Chris and I responsible for a number of churches and with the guidelines set by the Archdiocese of “social distancing” and the cleaning and disinfecting of the church between each Mass it's impossible to begin public mass right away.
Beginning June 15th, we will once again resume our 9:00am weekday Masses Monday and Wednesday at St. John’s/Woodstock and Tuesday and Thursday at St. John’s/ Centerville.
Weekend Masses will begin the weekend of June 20/21st. However, there is a change in our Sunday mass schedule.
We are required to maintain proper social distancing with seating and are limited to 25% of the church’s capacity which is 71 people at St. John’s and 25 people at St. Augustine’s. In order to allow the maximum number of people to attend Mass ALL weekend Masses will be held at St. John’s Church, Woodstock/West Hurley.
Our New Mass Schedule is:
Saturday (Vigil Mass) 5:00pm
Sunday 8:00am (no longer at Centerville)
Sunday 12:00pm
Some of you may know Fr. Raphael who was assisting at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Phoenicia had a heart attack and as of now St. Francis has no priest. It may become necessary for me to say another Sunday Mass at St. Francis in Phoenicia
Please be aware that the Cardinal has suspended the obligation to attend Sunday Mass.
Which means that it is NOT a sin if you do not attend Mass on the weekend.
If you wish, you may choose to attend weekday Mass which is usually less crowded but the same social distancing rules apply.
If you are elderly, have underlying medical conditions, or, are experiencing even the slightest of symptoms of a cough or sneeze, or have a fever please do not venture out and continue to stay at home.
If you wish, you can still watch Mass on TV on the EWTN Channel or live streamed from the Cathedral.
Here are some general instructions for coming back to Mass at St. John’s.
I know this is unsettling for all of us and I ask for your patience and sense of humor as we work through these necessary changes in our “new normal” (at least for now).
I am excited to be able to once again celebrate the great gift of the Eucharist with all of you.
God Bless
Fr. Kiely
Dear Parishioners,
This past Sunday the Cardinal announced that parishes outside of New Your City could begin to celebrate weekday masses at 25% of capacity. We will start our regular weekday mass schedule on Monday June 15th with mass being celebrated at St. John’s Woodstock/West Hurley at 9:00am on Monday and Wednesday and St. John’s Centerville at 9:00am on Tuesday and Thursday.
At St. John’s Woodstock the pews and chairs have been marked with some pews closed and spaces where parishioners are permitted to sit are marked with blue masking tape. I know many people have their “favorite seat” but this must be done to insure safe distancing. Wearing a mask is required throughout the mass and only to be removed when receiving communion. All precautions must be taken (wearing of masks, maintaining a six-foot distance, no physical contact except for communion, frequent washing of hands, and sanitizing surfaces). Our first priority is the safety of the clergy and people, and self-care of all ministers.
If all goes well with weekday masses with will be ready to celebrate weekend masses using the same precautions.
Please be aware that if these protocols are not followed mass will once again be put on hold.
I am excited to once again be able to celebrate the Eucharist with all of you and looking forward to one day “getting back to normal”.
God Bless,
Fr. Kiely
"While time honored and appreciated by many members of the faithful, the distribution of palms in any way risks the unnecessary spread of the coronavirus."
THE CHANCERY
OFFICE OF THE VICAR GENERAL
ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
MEMORANDUM
To: Brother Priests and Permanent Deacons
From: Father LaMorte
Date: March 20, 2020
Subject: Coronavirus Update XII
Although he mentioned it verbally during his address to the clergy on Wednesday, His Eminence would like to issue to all parishes throughout the ten counties of the Archdiocese of New York a number of additional guidelines governing the practice of the faith as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
PALM SUNDAY AND HOLY WEEK SERVICES
1. The Mass on Palm Sunday, April 5 will not be open to the public. Masses celebrated by the priest in ‘private’ may not in any way include parishioners. Palms can be blessed by the priests who may decide to leave them on tables outside the front of the church doors for pickup. Try to ensure as much reverence as possible.
2. Reconciliation Monday, April 6 is an occasion of great blessing at the beginning of Holy Week. Sadly, we will not be participating this year. Priests may be available for individual confessions throughout the remainder of the Lenten season and during this period of crisis. This may take place in a more open area than the confessional. The use of the grill is to be encouraged.
3. The Mass of the Chrism, April 7 will not be celebrated. His Eminence will transfer this to a weekday in June, perhaps on the solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus (June 19) or of the apostles, Peter and Paul (June 29). Doing so would all priests to be present at the Mass to renew their promises in solidarity with each other after this difficult period. For now, continue to use the Holy Oils from last year. If you need more, contact my office and we will direct you where you may obtain them.
4. The Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, April 9, the Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion on Good Friday, April 10, the Easter Vigil of the Lord’s Resurrection on April 11 and Easter Sunday, April 12 will not be celebrated publicly. Masses celebrated by the priest in ‘private’ may not in any way include parishioners.
5. All Masses from St. Patrick’s Cathedral with no congregation are being live streamed. Refer to the web sites of the cathedral and the Catholic Faith Network in previous memos.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION Both of these sacraments will be postponed until further notice.
THE QUESTION OF GENERAL ABSOLUTION This has been raised by a number of priests and again, it was addressed verbally on Wednesday. This morning, we received a Note from the Apostolic Penitentiary on the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the Current Pandemic. Although this will be explained more fully in a subsequent memo later today, you may wish to read the letter yourself. Basically, it does not allow for general absolution during this time of crisis. For now, you may read it at: http://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2020/03/20/200 320d.html
A REMINDER TO ALL If you know of someone who is not receiving these communications from the archdiocese, please have him contact the data systems center at dsc@archny.org.
MASSES CANCELED IN ARCHDIOCESE OF NEW YORK
In light of the continued concern surrounding the coronavirus, and the advice of medical experts, all Masses in the Archdiocese of New York will be canceled beginning this weekend, March 14-15, 2020.
This development follows upon today’s decision of Dutchess County to prohibit gatherings of more than 20 people. It is also intended to provide clarity and consistency throughout the ten counties that comprise the Archdiocese of New York (Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Dutchess).
Churches will, however, remain open for private prayer.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, urged the faithful to remember in their prayers all those whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. “Let us pray for all who are sick, as well as doctors, nurses, caregivers, and all those working hard to combat the disease. We should also remember those whose lives have been otherwise disrupted, especially anyone who has lost income from a loss of work during this difficult time.”
A private Mass will be celebrated in Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, and will be available on many cable systems via the Catholic Faith Network and its website here, livestreamed on the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral website here, and broadcast on radio on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129).
Have you traveled abroad?
Do you have flu like symptoms?
Have you recently spent time with someone who has had flu like symptoms?
For the short term, Fr. Kiely is recommending the following guidelines.
We are cancelling non-essential gatherings, such as, our Parish Council Meeting and Station of the Cross and Soup/Salad during Lent. We will not be doing any fundraising events until the Fall.
Current Mass services will remain the same. Currently, we are following the guidelines of our local school districts, as it applies to our Religious Ed Program. We will update you if this changes in the near future.
This is a good time to unite in prayer for the deliverance from this disease, for the safety of all those who are tending the sick, for the recovery of the sick and salvation of those who have died.
God Bless
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 13, 2020
Statement from The Archdiocese of New York on Mass Attendance
(New York, NY) In light of the serious health risks to vulnerable populations, and mindful of the instructions of medical professionals, the Archdiocese of New York has urged the faithful to use their prudential judgment on whether or not to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days during the coronavirus outbreak. This is in keeping with the teaching of the Church, which has always exempted those with serious medical issues which would prohibit them from attending Mass, as well as for all people in times of general emergencies. This is especially true during this coronavirus outbreak, particularly for adults over the age of 60, people with underlying medical conditions, and family members of such individuals, who should take special care in discerning the best course of action.
At this time, while Mass will continue to be offered publicly in most cases, contingent on emergency restrictions regarding large gatherings. Those who do attend Mass are reminded that they should follow the guidelines in place, such as receiving Holy Communion reverently in the hand, not receiving the Precious Blood, being sure to wash hands/use sanitizer before and after Mass, and avoiding physical contact with or close proximity to other persons.
Those who are unable to attend Mass can follow the Mass on radio, television, or online where possible. Mass from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral will be broadcast and available on many cable systems via the Catholic Faith Network and its website at www.catholicfaithnetwork.org, livestreamed on the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral website at www.saintpatrickscathedral.org/live, and broadcast on radio on The Catholic Channel of Sirius XM (Channel 129).