Re-opening Church for Public Masses

Dear: Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Bishop David O’Connell has released directives for re-opening the Church for limited public Masses with 30% occupancy for weekend Liturgies. Because of the requirements for sanitizing the church after each Mass, the following temporary weekend Mass schedule will be as follows effective June 13th and 14th, the weekend that in church public Masses will be celebrated.

• Saturday Vigil:  5:00 p.m.   
• Sunday: 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Bishop O’Connell has dispensed the Sunday obligation for Mass until September.  Please note that the 10:00 a.m. Mass will be livestreamed on our YouTube Channel (Saint Mary, Mother of God Church) and the 12:00 p.m. “in car” parking lot Mass will continue until further notice. 

The Daily Mass schedule will resume on Monday, June 8 ^th.  The schedule remains: 8:15 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. in Mary, Mother of God Church.  The Church will remain open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. for private prayer and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

With the return to public Masses all must follow these following requirements:

• If you are sick or feel sick, please remain home.
• All parishioners must wear masks and sit six feet apart.  (Families can sit closer)
• Holy Communion is requested to be received in your hand.  (If a parishioner receives Holy Communions on the tongue, the priest, deacon or extraordinary minister of Holy Communion must immediately stop and purify their hands.)
• Collections:  envelops and donations will be placed in a collection basket at the entrance of the Church as you come in or leave.  Please note the “new norm” for weekly collection is “Parish Giving.” Please visit our webpage (stmarychurchnj.org/give) to sign up for this safe and easy way for your weekly donation.

In the Bishop’s directives, the Sacraments of Confession, Baptism, Marriage along with Funeral/Memorial Masses will resume on June 8th.   Confessions must be held outside and with proper social distancing.  Confessions will be heard in the courtyard in front of the church. The Confession times will continue to be Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. or by appointment.  Baptisms will be celebrated one baby at a time.  Only Wedding ceremonies will be celebrated. 

I want to thank all our parishioners for your continued support for our parish in these difficult times.  You have been amazing!  As we learn to navigate through these temporary new norms, I want you to be assured of the continued prayers of our priests for you and your family.  We look forward to seeing you.  Stay safe and healthy!

In Jesus and Mary,
Father Jeff Kegley
Pastor