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March 17, 2020A Note from the Pastor
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Things have changed rapidly over the past week. As I write this we are awaiting further guidance from the archdiocese as to how to proceede in the coming days as the numer of those infected with Covid 19 increases.
Anticipating that Sunday Mass will be suspended this weekend as well, we are making plans to broadcast Sunday Mass from St Philip’s via our newly established YouTube channel. We are hoping that seeing Mass celebrated in our parish church will be a source of some comfort and familarity to the community. At a meeting on Monday Fr Kaj, Basil, Peter O’Brien, Dennis Corcoran and I set in motion plans to provide for a broadcast Mass with music that will be accessible to anyone who has internet connection. Please check the parish website on Saturday for a link to the channel.
Since this event is unprecedented we are encountering many questions from day to day. I’d like to address some of them below. If you have any other questions, please contact the Main Office by phone or e-mail and we will get back to you. Some questions do not have an answer yet but we will try to resolve issues as they come up based on guidelines from both the archdiocese and the government.
The information below is accurate as of 10:30am on Tuesday, March 17 and is subject to change at any time.- Daily Mass is still being celebrated in the Daily Mass Chapel and along with the announced Mass intention we are praying for those affected by the pandemic and for all our parishioners as well. Intentions that could not be fulfilled because of cancellation will be assigned to a new date. Please contact the Main Office if this relates to you.
- The church will remain open daily for those who wish to stop by and pray privately.
- The Main Office and the Religious Education Office will remain open, but please call before you come out in case the situation changes.
- Wakes and funerals will continue but current archdiocesan guidelines limit attendance to immediate family.
- All activities (BINGO, Scouts, Bereavement, Rosary Society, etc.) are being suspended until further notice.
- Sunday Masses will be broadcast on our YouTube channel for the coming weeks. These Masses will be celebrated privately and are not open to the public.
- Religious Education classes are suspended. Mr O’Brien’s office will be in contact with our familes to instruct them how to proceed with at home education/formation. A video presentation will be available for the Family Based Religious Education program along wiith complementary material.
- We are waiting on guidance from the archdiocese about events planned for April and beyond such as First Communions and Confirmation. As soon as we are told how to proceed, we will let familes know via e-mail and on the parish website.
We believe we have vaild e-mail addresses for about 55% of our active parishioners. This is a valuable way for us to communicate with you at a time like this. If we do not have your e-mail address please provide it by calling or e-mailing the Main Office so that we can keep in touch. Be assured that we do not share e-mails or phone numbers with anyone, including the archdiocese.
Inspired by the example of a church in Atlanta we are inviting parishioners to send us a “selfie” that we will print out and place on the pews in church as a reminder that we are a family of faith and though we are restricted from gathering we are with each other in spirit. Also I invite you to pause at either noon or 6pm and to pray the Corona Virus prayer listed below, knowing that other members of our parish family are praying with you.
Finally, please prayerfully consider continuing your financial support during this time of crisis. Checks can be mailed to the Main Office (488 Saddle River Rd, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663) or you can sign up for electronic giving with FaithDirect via our website. Your financial support at this time will enable us to keep meeting our ongoing expenses which continue throughout the pandemic.
Know that Fr Kaj and I are praying for you and your loved ones and we look forward to the day when we can once again gather around the Lord’s Table and share in the Body and Blood of Christ. I also encourage you to spend a few minutes in prayer on a daily basis, perhaps even reading and reflcting on the daily Mass readings, listed on our website.
In the meantime, please folow the advice of medical experts and scientists in keeping yourselves safe and helping to cut down on the transmission of the virus to others.Last night, our president remided us that following their advice will make a big difference in how the virus affects our country and our world.
In the Lord’s Love, Fr Bruce
Coronavirus Prayer
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages “curing every disease and illness.” At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us.
Kerry Weber, America