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Bishop's Message 5-27-20NOTE:
Based on the recent correspondence from our bishop, the planned re-opening of our parish for Holy Mass on the weekend of May 30/31 has been postponed. We are saddened, due to the postponement.
Fr. Marc
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We are all anxious to gather as a family of faith in our individual parish communities. We know that the process of reopening must be a gradual one. The most important things that we can do right now are to pray and to carefully plan for reopening.
In recent days, we were given the strong assurance that the Governor was going to announce this week that houses of worship could reopen with more than ten people, probably a percentage of the allowed seating capacity. Based on that information, we forwarded to all our parishes and institutions Guidelines for reopening churches so that everyone would be prepared.
We are still awaiting the Governor's announcement. We do have the benefit now of being well prepared to open our doors on very short notice. This readiness is thanks to the efforts of our clergy, religious, and lay volunteers.
Our churches are to remain closed until the date the Governor gives us public safety approval for gatherings of more than ten people in our churches.
Sincerely yours in Christ
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Bishop of Paterson
email: shepherd@patersondiocese.org
phone: 973-777-8818
web: http://www.patersondiocese.org -
Bishop's message 5-22-20
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
President Trump stated earlier today that houses of worship should be considered essential services and be open for worship. We must act with careful consideration for health and public safety.
We have already sent out guidelines mandated for the reopening of our churches. Now the time has come.
I remind you: follow social distancing by maintaining six feet between every person in church; have hand sanitizers available for your people; insist on the wearing of face masks for those older than 2; figure out a way to have your church properly cleaned and sanitized after it has been used. I know that you will do your very best to protect your people's health and safety.
The recent emails from the diocese on re-opening our churches will help you do this. These remain in effect. Reopen when you are ready to serve your parishioners with respect for their health and safety. For most parishes, this would mean opening no earlier than May 30. If you do not feel ready to reopen next weekend, then delay your opening for a week or two. Let your parishioners know when they can expect to worship in your church.
At the same time, please remind your people that any person with symptoms of a fever or cough should remain at home. A person who has symptoms places everyone else in jeopardy.
I want to reiterate some other elements of our guidelines: Adjust the times of your Masses, if necessary, to allow enough time to clean your church after Mass. The dispensation from the obligation of Mass attendance continues for those unable to get to Church.
We have to take care of each other. I am especially concerned about our older priests being vigilant about their own health. If you cannot obtain a priest for help at Mass, please seek the assistance from the office of Monsignor Mahoney or Monsignor Hart.
God bless you for all you are doing to help others during this pandemic. We are not finished dealing with this scourge. Hopefully, opening up our churches will be a spiritual support to our people.
I know that you join with me in prayer for all those who have died from Covid-19. May God have mercy on their souls.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Bishop of Paterson
email: shepherd@patersondiocese.org
phone: 973-777-8818
web: http://www.patersondiocese.org -
Bishop's Message 5-19-20
Dear Brothers in the Priesthood,
Re: 7th Annual Feast of Corpus Christi Diocesan Food Drive
My prayers go out to all of you and everyone who is suffering during this unprecedented time. While the public celebration of Mass is currently unavailable at our parishes, it is more important than ever to keep our faith in the forefront of our lives and to remember those who are most in need.
Catholic Charities here in our Diocese and around the United States continues to be "the hands of Christ" in a world in need of greater compassion and service. COVID-19 has impacted us all, especially those who are living in poverty.
The need for Catholic Charities' services has increased over the last several weeks. Most months, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson gives out food to 5,000 - 7,000 people at their 3 food pantries. In April of 2020, this number practically doubled, as they helped over 11,000 individuals who are feeling the direct economic impact of COVID-19.
Each year, our Corpus Christi Food Drive helps support Catholic Charities' Food Pantries with thousands of pounds of food for the critical summer months, through in-person drives culminating on the Feast of Corpus Christi. Though we are hoping to re-open parishes in the coming weeks, we do not yet have a date set and are asking that you still support this important endeavor.
For this one year, to keep your parishioners safe and to follow state and local guidelines, I am asking that you support this vital endeavor virtually. We ask that you share this information on your parish website, through Flocknote, via email and however else your parish is communicating with the faithful during these unprecedented times. Attached is a link to messages that you can send to your parish faithful throughout the Corpus Christi Food Drive for your bulletin, website or Flocknote. Also attached is a Corpus Christi Food Drive logo that you can use for marketing this event if you so choose. You may ask your parishioners and friends to give in the following ways:
Donate Food Through YouGiveGoods:
https://yougivegoods.com/ccpaterson-fooddrive2020
Find your parish and click "shop." Each parish is listed with its own set of unique items, to help meet Catholic Charities great needs. All goods ordered online will be shipped directly to our three diocesan food pantries after the drive concludes - Father English Center (Paterson), Hope House (Dover) and the Partnership for Social Services (Franklin).
Make a Monetary Donation: Visit www.ccpaterson.org/corpus to make a donation online, which will be directly used to purchase food. You may also mail a check to: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson - Corpus Christi Food Drive - 777 Valley Road - Clifton, NJ 07013.
Have Food Dropped off Directly at Catholic Charities: We are encouraging virtual giving this year, but understand that there are certain individuals who are actively shopping and may want to work directly with our pantries. Please contact Catholic Charities' Development Office to make alternate arrangements directly with their food pantries. Email: Info@ccpaterson.org or call (973) 737-2077 ext. 403.
Though this drive typically culminates on the Feast of Corpus Christi (2020 date: June 14th), we are going to extend this endeavor this year through July to better help those most in need and give our parishes more time to collaborate with their parishioners.
You may contact Catholic Charities Development Office with any additional questions at Info@ccpaterson.org or call (973) 737-2077 ext. 403.
Thank you for your continued support of Catholic Charities and our brothers and sisters in need.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Bishop of Paterson
email: shepherd@patersondiocese.org
phone: 973-777-8818
web: http://www.patersondiocese.org -
Bishop's Message 4-8-20
Dear Friends in Christ,
In our yearly celebration of Easter, we joyfully mark God's renewal of his creation and his renewal of our lives through Christ's victory over sin and death. At the dawn of creation God said: "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:4) and his powerful word made light to guide the crown of his creation, the human person.
Jesus Christ is the Light that redeems us and leads us to eternal life. While we will not be able to celebrate all of the beautiful rites of the Easter Vigil this year, such as the blessing of the new fire and the solemn preparation and lighting of the Paschal Candle, we can do something to express our certain hope for the Light of Christ to banish despair. I invite all of the faithful to place a small electric light outside of their home or in their window at sunset on the night before Easter Sunday, the vigil of the Day of Resurrection, to unite our hearts in hope and to express our undying faith in our Risen Lord who is the Light that never will be vanquished. As the electric candle or light is illumined I invite you pray with your household: "May the Light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."
God continues to enlighten the world through our faith in the Lord Jesus and in the countless acts of sacrifice of so many selfless individuals during this difficult time.
May God deliver from harm all of those who suffer in the midst of this pandemic and protect all who attend to their care. May he keep each of us safe in his loving embrace.
With a prayer for the Lord's blessing, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Arthur J. Serratelli, S.T.D., S.S.L., D.D.
Bishop of Paterson
email: shepherd@patersondiocese.org
phone: 973-777-8818
web: http://www.patersondiocese.org