St. Michael Parish

SAINT MICHAEL CHURCH TO OPEN FOR PRIVATE PRAYER, CONFESSIONS

 
As some pandemic-related health restrictions are eased, Cardinal Tobin has granted permission for Saint Michael Church and other churches in the Archdiocese of Newark to open for private prayer.
     
Beginning this Sunday, May 17, 2020, Saint Michael Church will be open for private prayer as follows: on weekends 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. (These times are subject to change daily, depending on circumstances at the parish.)
     
We ask that all who will be coming to our church for private prayer to please wear a protective mask or face covering (i.e.: a bandana, etc.) and please maintain social distancing  (i.e.: keep six-feet apart from others).      
     
Also at this time, the Sacrament of Reconciliation (“Confession”) will be available, but both the priest and the penitent will be required to wear protective masks and be six-feet apart from each other.
     
If you are feeling sick, please refrain from visiting the church until you feel better.
     
As with all other parishes in the Archdiocese,  we are still not permitted to have public celebrations of Mass, or to have Baptisms, funerals, or other gatherings until further notice.  HOWEVER, officials at the Archdiocese – in consultation with government officials - are developing plans for the gradual phasing-in of public Mass and other gatherings in our churches. The timetables for implementing public worship again at Saint Michael’s and at other parishes  will be announced at future dates. 
     
In addition, Cardinal Tobin has announced that for the faithful in the Archdiocese of Newark, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays or on Holy Days of Obligation continues to be suspended until further notice.     
     
We are grateful to all who continue to support Saint Michael Church with their prayers and resources during these most challenging of times. Please know that I have been praying every day that the Lord watch over and protect you and your loved ones.
     
Obviously, our lives are far from being “back to normal” right now, and we still pray every day for those who have perished from the coronavirus, for all who have fallen ill from it, and for those who have been caring directly for the afflicted. Also, we pray for those who have been out of work because of the pandemic, and we hope they will all soon be permitted to resume their livelihoods.
     
But we give thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ for His help and guidance during this crisis, and we are confident that one day soon we will gather again as a community at Saint Michael Church to express our gratitude and praise to Him. 

God love and bless you!

Please remember, if your means allow, please continue to make your weekly contribution to the Parish.  We need your financial support.  Contributions can be sent by regular mail, dropped through the rectory mail slot, or done online here:  /giving

May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Diviine Physician, watch over and protect you and your loved ones.  May our Lord Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, guide us safely through this difficult time.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Father Tom Quinn
Pastor