Flocknote

From Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP

The Bells of St. Mary’s

The Church of the Immaculate Conception

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 24, 2020

From Rev. Fr. Anthony Ekanem, MSP

WHEN TO REOPEN OUR CHURCHES

Many have been asking when are they going to allow us come to Church.

This message is from the Office of the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York. Over these last several weeks, it has not been easy to be physically separated from our parishes and the sacraments and to be together for Mass. We limited these things to offerings without the physical presence of the faithful as a way of preventing the spread of the coronavirus. We know how deeply our people yearn to come to Mass and receive our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament or find forgiveness in the sacrament of reconciliation.

We have begun the work of developing a protocol for a careful and gradual reopening of our churches as soon as it is safe to do so.

Our Masses will look different from our liturgies before the pandemic because of distancing and the use of personal protective equipment. There will be no sign of peace, offering communion on the extended hand, and we will suspend the Precious Blood during the Eucharistic distribution. There will also be the mandatory spacing of families in pews and a recommendation for the masking of faces.

We understand that regional reopening within New York State may begin as early as this month and will occur in four phases.

It will include construction and manufacturing and some retail stores to reopen for curbside pickup.
The broadcast part of the reopening includes professional services, more retailers and real estate firms, finance, insurance, and administrative support, among others.
This phase will include restaurants, bars, food services, and hotels.

The last pieces of regular life to reopen will be the places many go to unwind or to enrich ourselves, like arts, entertainment, recreation, and education. Houses of worship are absent as a category on the list. We carefully heed protective guidelines, we are essential service, and can make our own prudent and safe decision about gradual reopening.

Since areas of the archdiocese will be opening up at different times, depending upon their locality within the state, priests currently assigned to metropolitan area parishes, which might remain closed till the end of the quarantine, will be available to assist in the northern countries.

With summer months fast approaching, it does not appear international priests will be able to come to America from other countries to provide simmer assistance. Should this become possible, we should remember the need to quarantine for two weeks.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

We are to follow the NYS EXECUTIVE ORDERS, CDC, ESDC, and OSHA COVID 19 guidelines at all times.
All persons coming to church for Mass must wear masks and gloves at all times.
We must follow Practical and orderly COVID - 19 ushering at all times.
A maximum of six feet of social distancing must be observed and maintained at all times.
Divide Sanctuary space into sections of singles, couples or families with three or more members
Follow guidelines for each section for singles, couples, or families with three or more members.
Skip one pew for seating for singles
Pew sections for two or more persons sitting together must skip two pews
Church to be filled from front to back
Pews to be filled from both ends to avoid anyone crossing someone else's path
Allocate a minimum of two feet per person when seated
Maintain six-foot distance between strangers while seated
If side or back aisles next to the wall are eight-foot or more, we can use folding chairs while maintaining a six-foot social distancing between them.

We can use Vestibules for additional seating with folding chairs while maintaining six-foot social distancing between them. Remember, this is all about Common sense and our Faith. Continue to be patient, we shall all gather together as one to celebrate God’s love for us. The Archdiocese is developing a protocol for the careful reopening of our churches so that we can all be on the safe side of this pandemic. Stay safe! God bless!

Sundays Readings:

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 1: 12-14, (59A)

After the Ascension, the apostles returned to the upper room in Jerusalem to pray. They were joined by Mary and others.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 27: 1, 4, 7-8 I believe that I shall see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 4: 13-16 The person who suffers for the sake of Christ can rejoice and glory in the Lord. God’s Spirit in its glory has come to rest on that person.

Gospel: John 17: 1-11a Jesus prayed to the Father for all those whom the Father had given him. He asked the Father to remember them, for Jesus was glorified in them and they really belong to the Father.

Religious Education

Religious Education Students and Parents at St. Mary’s

Please note that an email was sent to all Religious Education Parents with lessons plans, class by grade.
If you HAVE NOT given us with your email address, please send your email address to icmary103@gmail.com so you can receive important information and updates.
If you Have Not received an email, it either means we have an incorrect e mail address or one that we could not read. Please email us your correct email address to icmary103@gmail.com. Parents, please send us YOUR email address. We cannot email the children; it must be the parent’s email.
Anyone who would want to reach Marisa Rivera, please email to icmary103@gmail.com.

Archdiocesan Appeal

Update of 2020 Appeal Goals Goal: $37,500.00 Pledged: $29,422.00 Paid: $20,930.00

Thank you so much for your contributions toward our Annual Cardinal’s Appeal. Please, we still need $8,078 in pledges and $192,297.80 in our RE - NEW and RE - BUILD that we pledged some years back.

Monthly Update of Renew & Rebuild Pledges: $420, 984.30 Paid: $228,686.50 Left: ($192,297.80)

Thank you for all your generosity! Stewardship God’s Plan for Giving

WeShare: Donations Made Easy

We thank you for your donations during this time and are also grateful for J. Sampaio, Cristina Santo, Linda Confeiteiro who donated cooked food for those in need. We also want to express our gratitude to Mr. Jorge Salazar, Cesar Cuadra, Guadalupe Cuadra and Maria Neto for their help in distributing the 150 meals. Without their help it could not been done. Thank God for your help.

INFORMATION

Live Streaming Update

To improve the quality to live Streaming, we must improve the quality of internet reception throughout our historic building, which is very limited. To do that alone will require some funds for better equipment, wiring, and installation.

Parish Rectory Boiler Update

Already, we have been able to put down half the cost of installing a new Boiler in the Parish Rectory, and we are still in need of $14,000 when the installation is complete.

An Appeal

I ask you, if possible, to consider an additional donation whenever you can add especially to these extra expenses so that we can serve you better. In most of our structures, in other words, the facilities here are obsolete, and we need to maintain them. I know many of you have asked us or expressed concern over how we are coping during this coronavirus pandemic. It is by the grace of God and your generosity that we can manage so far. I wish to strongly appeal to others who are behind in their contribution to the Church and those who feel they will like to support more to call the Parish Office at any time, and we can share more with you what we need and where we are financial. Yes, we have all stretched money wise during this crisis. Your Prayerful Support So, in this month of Rosary, our Holy Father is encouraging us to pray more. For an end to the spread of this virus, to the sick and the vulnerable, those who are at the front line of this emergency like doctors, nurses, health workers, scientists, Chaplains, national and local leaders, and all volunteers who risk their lives to save others. Let us support their heroic efforts with our Prayer Of His Holiness Pope Francis To Mary this month of May.

Mass Intention for the week of

May 23 to May 31, 2020

Saturday, May 23, 2020

12:05 - pm Available/Disponible

5:00 pm - Mary & Marie Pettie + * Robert Lynn

Sunday, May 24, 2020

11:00 am - Rafael Enrique Collins + * Jenny Brown

12:00 pm - Honoria & Bernardo Hernández Torres + * Maria Polanco

Monday, May 25, 2020