Back to Church 

We are no longer requiring you to sign up for Mass but we do request that you follow all the safety guidelines that have been established: social distance, wear a mask and use hand sanitizer.

We are able to accommodate 100 people at each Mass this weekend.  We will continue to offer Holy Communion in the parking lot after Mass.  Please arrive before Mass is to begin so that you may be appropriately seated.  Thank you!

Use this Sign-Up Link to Sign up for Mass

We are able to accommodate 100 people at each Mass this weekend.  We will continue to offer Holy Communion in the parking lot after Mass.  

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Before going into the details of what Mass at St. Mary’s will look like this weekend, a few reminders.
 

• The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation remains in effect until further notice.  However, the Bishop writes in the guidelines, even when unable to attend Sunday Mass “the faithful are to keep the Lord’s Day holy by some other means.  For example, they should tune in to a live-streamed Mass and are also encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours or read and reflect on Sacred Scripture or pray the Rosary or some other devotion.”

• “This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). For your own good and out of love for your neighbor, if you are unwell or have some symptoms of the COVID-19 virus it is critical that you stay at home.

• Parishioners in vulnerable categories, e.g., advanced age, an underlying health condition, should consider attending instead a daily Mass, where there are fewer people present.

• All Masses (daily and Sunday) will continue to be live-streamed to the parish Facebook page and then posted on the parish website.  Holy Communion will be distributed in the parking lot for 20 minutes following the weekend Masses for those who watch at home.

• For the common good and to ease safety concerns, the church will be professionally sanitized after each weekend Mass.  This process requires that the church be unoccupied for several hours after each cleaning, making it difficult to schedule multiple Masses on Sunday.  This situation will continue to be evaluated.

• The opening up of daily Mass presents slightly different challenges, and since I have been concentrating on the details of the restoration of our Sunday Masses, the current procedure for attendance at daily Mass will continue for a while longer, with the exception that 12 people can now be accommodated at the weekday 8 am Mass.

• A reservation is required in order to attend Mass in the church. The sign-up link is included in the Flocknote.    If you are not on Flocknote, you may use the public sign up link (you will be required to subscribe to Flocknote) or you may call the Parish Office (908 756-6524 x10).  
• After signing up for Mass, you will receive a confirmation email (please be patient, this may take up to 10 minutes).  Please bring the confirmation of your registration to Mass with you (on your phone or print-out).    

• Greeters will be outside the church to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.   Please plan to arrive 20 minutes ahead of the start of Mass.   

• The use of face masks are expected except for the very young (parents are in the best position to determine if their child is capable of wearing a mask). 

• The one restroom off the narthex is to be used for emergencies only. 

• Proceed directly through the narthex into the church; there should be no congregating in the narthex.

• Once inside the church, an usher will direct you to one of the pews reserved for congregational seating.  It is very possible you may not be able to sit where you normally do.

• Hymnals and Breaking Bread books have been removed.  As we are able to introduce communal singing, disposable worship aids will be available.

• Baskets for your weekly offering will also be available as you enter the church.

• Some elements of Mass will necessarily have to be temporarily adapted or eliminated in our current circumstances:
  • Except for within families, shaking hands at the Sign of Peace is to be replaced by a gesture that does not involve physical contact, such as a bow or nod or a simple wave.

• Communion under the form of the Precious Blood of Christ remains temporarily suspended.

• Out of sensitivity to those parishioners who must watch Mass from their homes, Holy Communion will be distributed after the final blessing.  The procedure for receiving Communion will be explained at that time.

• In consideration of your own health and the health of the persons distributing Holy Communion, the Bishop is requesting that all receive Communion in the hand.  The reception of Communion in the hand is equally as devout as receiving on the tongue. 

• Following the reception of Holy Communion, you are asked to proceed immediately out of the church. Again, there should be no congregating in the narthex.

June 7, 2020
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity***  See important clarification below
 
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
 
I am pleased to share with you a letter from our bishop announcing Phase II of the opening up of Masses to greater numbers of parishioners, beginning this coming weekend, June 13-14 (enclosed).  The guidelines to pastors the Bishop references will necessarily have to be adapted to each parish’s particular circumstances. In this letter, I want to share with you what Phase II will look like at St. Mary’s.
 
First, some reminders and information.

• The dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation remains in effect until further notice.  However, the Bishop writes in the guidelines, even when unable to attend Sunday Mass “the faithful are to keep the Lord’s Day holy by some other means.  For example, they should tune in to a live-streamed Mass and are also encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours or read and reflect on Sacred Scripture or pray the Rosary or some other devotion.”

• “This is how all will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:35). For your own good and out of love for your neighbor, if you are unwell or have some symptoms of the COVID-19 virus it is critical that you stay at home.

• All Masses (daily and Sunday) will continue to be live-streamed to the parish Facebook page and then posted on the parish website.  Holy Communion will no longer be distributed in the parking lot following the weekend Masses.

• These guidelines were prepared with the assistance of the Department of Infectious Diseases of our sponsored hospital, St. Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.

• We will be able to have up to 162 people (30% of the church’s capacity) at each of our current weekend Masses (4 pm on Saturday and 10 am on Sunday).  We will wait to see if additional Masses need to be added. 

• Parishioners in vulnerable categories, e.g., advanced age, an underlying health condition, should consider attending instead a daily Mass, where there are fewer people present.

• For the common good and to ease safety concerns, the church will be professionally sanitized after each weekend Mass.  This will entail an unexpected expense, but I believe it is money well spent.

• The opening up of our daily Mass presents slightly different challenges, and since I have been concentrating on the details of the restoration of our Sunday Masses, the current procedure for attendance at daily Mass will continue for a little while longer, with the exception that 12 people can now be accommodated at the weekday 8 am Mass.

• As I write, feelings about gathering in public places seem to vary greatly, so that we have no good idea about what to expect this weekend. If you are likely to attend one of the Masses, would you kindly indicate that either on Flocknote, this link on the parish website or contact the Parish Office (908-756-6524, x10; parish@stmaryswatchung.org)?  It will be of great assistance in helping us to prepare.

• Greeters will be outside the church to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. 

• The use of face masks are expected except for the very young (parents are in the best position to determine if their child is capable of wearing a mask). 

• The one restroom off the narthex is to be used for emergencies only.

• Proceed directly through the narthex into the church; there should be no congregating in the narthex.

• Once inside the church, an usher will direct you to one of the pews reserved for congregational seating.  It is very possible you may not be able to sit where you normally do.

• Hymnals and Breaking Bread books have been removed.  As we are able to introduce communal singing, disposable worship aids will be available.

• Baskets for your weekly offering will also be available as you enter the church.

• Some elements of Mass will necessarily have to be temporarily adapted or eliminated in our current circumstances:

• Except for within families, shaking hands at the Sign of Peace is to be replaced by a gesture that does not involve physical contact, such as a bow or nod or a simple wave.

• Communion under the form of the Precious Blood of Christ remains temporarily suspended.

• Out of sensitivity to those parishioners who must watch Mass from their homes, Holy Communion will be distributed after the final blessing.  The procedure for receiving Communion will be explained at that time.

• In consideration of your own health and the health of the persons distributing Holy Communion, the Bishop is requesting that all receive Communion in the hand.  The reception of Communion in the hand is equally as devout as receiving on the tongue.   

• Following the reception of Holy Communion, you are asked to proceed immediately out of the church. Again, there should be no congregating in the narthex.

This weekend we will celebrate Mass in our church as it has never been celebrated before.  Please pray this week that the Blessed Trinity increases our faith and bestow on our parish the virtues of patience and charity.
 

                                                     Yours in Christ,                                                     

Msgr. Benwell
    

Postscript: on another topic of importance, Bishop Checchio has directed a time of sustained prayer during this month of June, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to bring racial harmony, healing, and peace to our nation. You are invited to participate in the celebration of Evening Prayer every Friday evening in June at 5 pm.  The live-stream will be available from our diocesan website; Facebook page and YouTube page.

***

Yesterday I communicated with you by email and regular mail that pastors had received permission to open our celebrations of Mass to the number of people equaling 30% of our church’s capacity—which in the case of St. Mary’s is 160 people. Also yesterday, the Governor announced he was limiting the amount of people inside a building to no more than 25% lawful capacity or 50 people, whichever number was lower.

Last week, the Governor’s office had no objections to the plan for reopening Catholic churches for Sunday Masses based on the 30% criteria and on the condition that safety protocols be in place, e.g., the wearing of masks, social distancing, etc.

Pastors have been advised by the vicar general that we may use our discretion in proceeding with the public celebration of Masses this weekend. Here at St. Mary’s we will follow the guidelines I shared with you yesterday. Again, the obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days remains suspended. You are the ultimate judges of what is best for the health of yourself and your family. Know that the Lord wishes you to be safe and at peace.

Msgr. Benwell

May 18, 2020
 
“This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (JOHN 13:38)
 
Daily Mass
 
We have also received permission to celebrate Mass in church for gatherings of ten persons and less.  Again, we are working on the logistics, such as how to maintain social distancing and sanitize pews and, again, the safe and reverent distribution of Holy Communion.  Given the small number able to gather for daily Mass, these are the rules at this time.
 

• Parishioners will be able to reserve a place at an upcoming Mass (Monday through Friday at 8 am) by calling the Parish Office (908-756-6524 x10) or emailing the Office at: parish@stmaryswatchung.org.
• One may register to attend one Mass per week.  There can be no exceptions.
• One may register for only one Mass at a time.  There can be no exceptions;
• One may register for himself/herself and one other person per Mass, i.e., two persons total.  There can be no exceptions.

 
Daily Mass under the above conditions will begin the week of May 25.  Additional instructions regarding safety precautions will be provided as they are finalized.
 
As always, if you would like to receive real-time parish updates and information, please check our website (www.stmaryswatchung.org) or join Flocknote, our parish email and text communication tool.  Information on how to join Flocknote is on the home page of our website or you may contact the Parish Office (908-756-6524 x10) for assistance.
 
It is sometimes difficult to know the right thing to do in unprecedented circumstances, but by proceeding carefully and patiently, with the common good always in mind and with God’s help, I am confident St. Mary’s can successfully navigate the journey back to worshipping as a faith community again. Assuring you of my prayers and asking for a place in your own, I remain
 
Yours in Christ,
 
 
 
                                                                                    Rev. Msgr. William Benwell
                                                                                    Pastor