Welcome to St. Catharine - St. Margaret Parish
Parish churches may begin the celebration of limited “in church” public weekend Masses with no more than 1/3 occupancy starting on June 13-14, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, observing all requirements listed below. Weekday “in church” public Masses with no more than 25 persons attending may begin on Monday, June 8, 2020, observing the same requirements. Pastors will determine the most fair and effective ways to ensure proper observance of those numbers.
The full statement is found here:
https://dioceseoftrenton.org/news/dates-announced-for-limited-in-church-masses-sacraments
Daily Mass
*Daily mass will resume on Monday, June 8, 2020 with mass at 12 noon in St. Catharine Church
*Capacity is limited to 50 people maximum.
*Masks must be for everyone over 2 years old.
Sunday Mass
St. Catharine School Playground
The Sunday celebration of Mass will return with open air mass at St. Catharine School playground at 6 PM Saturday and 10:30 AM Sunday. Many people had requested an outdoor celebration of mass and the limited capacity of St. Catharine Church while observing social distancing did not make it a viable option.
*Please bring your own beach chairs, blankets, and sun hats.
*The school gymnasium will serve as an alternative venue in case inclement weather but the capacity is limited to 100 and the gym is not handicapped accessible.
*There will only be one entrance on Salem Avenue but all exits can be used.
Mass will be celebrated in St. Margaret Church at 4 PM Saturday and 9 AM Sunday morning.
*Weddings in St. Catharine Church are permitted but limited to a wedding ceremony with a maximum of 50 people.
Funerals
*Funerals can commence again with a limited congregation of 50 people in St. Catharine Church, 100 People in St. Margaret Church, 50 people in St. Anne Mausoleum and 25 people in Resurrection Mausoleum.
Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Lectors will be getting an email to sign up for weekend masses through flocknote and ministry scheduler pro. No one will be auto scheduled. Altar servers will not be used at this time. I would ask you to please be patient with us as we engage in this reopening while trying to ensure your safety.
Thank you for your continued support of the Parish in these challenging times. I truly appreciate all of the notes expressing your gratitude and encouragement for our continued liturgical and pastoral care. Please remember that our reopening plan is essentially an experiment that will be revised depending on the circumstances and requirements and will undoubtedly evolve. I need everyone to continue to be cooperative and patient to make all this work. With God’s grace, I’m confident and hopeful it will.
Saturdays 3:30PM confessions in the sanctuary at St. Margaret’s Church
Message from Father Damian
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Today’s reading is from the Prophet Amos. Amos 5:14-15, 21-24
“Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and so the Lord, the God of hosts, will be with you, just as you have said. Hate evil and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph. I hate, I despise your festivals, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.”
Harsh words from the God of love! But they come out of love, love for all the world, love especially for the poor and the vulnerable. When God sees his children exploited and impoverished, there is no ritual observance, no pious sacrifice that can appease Him. What is it that stops me from sharing in God’s love for the outcast and those on the edges of society?
Do I just accept that the world is unjust? Am I scared to lose out myself? Have I got “better things” to worry about? Or does the poverty of so many overwhelm me?
As you hear those words of God again, remember that God challenges those He loves; he wants us to grow and to share in his joy and love. The passion of his anger is also the passion of his forgiveness. As you listen, allow that passion to stir in your heart.
“Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everflowing stream.” Today I can at least let these words touch me, even if they make me feel uncomfortable or angry. Speak to God out of your feelings – or your lack of feelings. Tell him what is in your heart. Ask for the help of his grace.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
With Love and Blessings,
Fr Damian
Flocknote Newsletters
St. Catharine- St. Margaret Parish Family
- Daily Reflection (7/8) July 8, 2020Daily Readings from USCCB http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070820.cfm Confessions in the sanctuary Saturdays 3:30PM St. Margaret Church ** Volunteers are needed to help live stream masses on Facebook. Please text...
- Daily Reflection (7/7) July 7, 2020Daily Readings from USCCB http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/070120.cfm Confessions in the sanctuary Saturdays 3:30PM St. Margaret Church ** Volunteers are needed to help live stream masses on Facebook. Please text Lisa...