In light of the recent easing of COVID-19 restrictions by New York State, we can now consider a meaningful "reopening and return" of our parish. Recently, the governor announced that COVID-19 restrictions will be eased throughout New York State. It was met with great enthusiasm. We will adopt the new CDC guidlelines, detailed as follows:

• Vaccinated individuals will not be required to wear a mask. 
• Unvaccinated individuals, under both CDC and state guidance must wear masks in all public settings.
• We are eliminating the six feet of required social distancing, however, if you are unvaccinated, you are required to wear a mask and we reccomednd that you still remain socially distant from others.
• If you are fully vaccinated but not comfortable returning to pre-pandemic lifestyle and wish to continue to wear masks...that is fine too.
• The procession with gifts may resume with fully vaccinated individuals.
• Hymnals will be placed back into the pews after Thanksgiving weekend. So, please keep the hymnal book that you already have and continue to bring your book back and forth from home.
• Printing bulletins will resume but our date is still TBD.
• Altar servers who are proven to be fully vaccinated may assist at Mass.
• Choirs comprised of vaccinated members may resume normal activities.
• Offertory collection baskets may be used without restrictions.
• Enhanced cleaning of church will still continue.
• We will  not resume the sign of peace yet.
• Holy water fonts will remain empty.
• Communion from the chalice should not resume righ now and comminicants should continue to be encouraged to recieve in the hand rather than on the tongue.

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.

1. All persons entering our property must wear a face covering.
2. Social distancing of at least 6 feet must be followed.
3. At Each Mass the parish will now have ushers who will make sure that everyone is following the protocols in place.
4. Only the main entrance will be used and will locked until we are ready to seat people. Please arrive 15 to 20 minutes early so that attendants can properly seat you.
5. Church seating will be limited to 71 persons to allow for social distancing and will be coordinated by the ushers.  Sorry, you will not have a choice about where you sit.
6. The church is sectioned off - one side for single people (people sitting alone) the other side for families and couples. Families will have the first row of chairs and 1 pew in the front on the left side facing the altar. Couples will be seated on the left side facing the altar with 3 pews available. Single people have the right side of the church facing the altar. A cross made with blue painters’ tape will be in front of you to mark the spot where you should sit.
7. Once seating capacity is filled (71 people), we will not be able to let any more people into the church.
8. While we have placed a hand sanitizer at the entrance of the church which everyone should use as they enter, I also ask that all parishioners carry their own personal sanitizer to be used just before the distribution of Holy Communion.
9. Singing will be limited to familiar songs and there will be no music books or missals.
10. There is NO holy water available.
11. A basket will be in the main aisle for you to drop off your donation as you enter or leave. No collection baskets will be passed around.
12. There will be no offertory procession.
13. There will be no sign of peace.
14. When receiving communion come up the center aisle staying 6 feet apart from the person in front of you, receive communion in your hand ONLY (not on the tongue) then step to the side pull down your mask to consume the host then walk down the side aisle to your seat.
15. Leaving mass will begin with the back of the church leaving first to the front, maintaining social distancing and we ask that you go directly to your car and not congregate in the parking lot.

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 15^th 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
 

As per a directive from the Archdiocese of New York, palms cannot be made available this weekend as originally planned. Fr. Kiely has blessed the palms and will refrigerate the fronds and preserve them for distribution at a future date. 

Our church is open for private prayer daily on Mon-Sat from 10am-4pm and on Sun from 10am-1pm.

"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.

St. John's will be open for private prayer on Sunday's from 10am-1pm.

The Hall, Kitchen and Rectory are closed.

Outdoor Stations of the Cross are available for prayer and mediation.

ALL MASSES ARE CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE BEGINNING THIS WEEKEND, MARCH 14-15,2020

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).

Help prevent the spread of Coronavirus!

Before you enter the building, think:

Have you traveled abroad?
Do you have flu like symptoms?
 Have you recently spent time with someone who has had flu like symptoms?

IF ANY OF THE ABOVE APPLY TO YOU, PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE BUILDING.

IF YOU OR ANY MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY FEEL SICK - PLEASE STAY HOME AS A FAMILY UNIT.

*3/13/20 BREAKING NEWS* FROM ULSTER COUNTY EXECUTIVE- ORDERS ALL ULSTER COUNTY SCHOOLS  CLOSED FOR 14 DAYS (March 16th-27th). 

*3/13/20 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATE* CLASSES ARE CANCELED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

For the short term, Fr. Kiely is recommending the following guidelines.

• The ushers will no longer walk from aisle to aisle with the gift baskets. We will place a basket in front of the baptismal font for you to place your weekly gift in, you may do this as you enter or leave the church.
• Usher will  no longer hand out the bulletin.
•  Holy water will be temporarily removed from the baptismal font.
•  Hand sanitizer will be placed at the front entrance of the church…please use it before you enter.
• No communion by tongue and no communion wine until further notice.
• During the Lords Prayer, it is recommended that you do not hold hands with the person next to you.
• To offer the Sign of Peace, please elbow bump or use the V with your fingers, as the sign of peace.
• The church will be disinfected after Mass to the best of our ability.

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).