Updated as of 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2020
Regarding Outdoor Parking Lot In-Car Masses at St. Michael’s
A Message from Fr. John and Fr. Mark
As we gradually emerge from the COVID-19 lockdown, Bishop O'Connell has granted permission for parishes to celebrate outdoor parking lot "in-car" Masses as the next part of the phased re-opening of our churches. Masses were celebrated in the parking lot here at St. Michael’s during the past weekend. Two Masses will be celebrated this coming weekend outdoors in our parking lot as follows (with Holy Communion distributed to Mass-goers in their cars at the conclusion of each such Mass; please see the details below):
- Saturday, May 30th at 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 31st at 10:00 a.m.
In addition, non-public Masses (with no congregation present) will be celebrated in our Upper Church and live-streamed as follows (Holy Communion will not be available at the following two Masses):
- Friday, May 29th at 5:30 p.m. immediately followed by Eucharistic Adoration until Benediction and Grace before the Evening Meal at 6:30 (No Holy Communion)
- Monday, June 1st at 5:30 p.m. immediately followed by Eucharistic Adoration until Benediction and Grace before the Evening Meal at 6:30 (No Holy Communion)
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PARISH LIVE STREAM
ON FRIDAY, MAY 29, St. Michael's Church will be broadcasting a live stream of the 5:30 P.M. DAILY MASS beginning at 5:30 P.M. followed immediately at approximately 5:55 P.M. by a HOLY HALF HOUR WITH EUCHARISTIC ADORATION concluding with BENEDICTION AND PRAYING OF GRACE BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL AT 6:30 P.M. Click the link below to view.
ON SATURDAY, MAY 30, St. Michael's Church will be broadcasting a live stream of the 4:00 P.M. VIGIL MASS beginning at 4:00 P.M. Click the link below to view.
ON SUNDAY, MAY 31, St. Michael's Church will be broadcasting a live stream of the 10:00 A.M. MASS beginning at 10:00 A.M. Click the link below to view.
ON Monday, JUNE 1, St. Michael's Church will be broadcasting a live stream of the 5:30 P.M. DAILY MASS beginning at 5:30 P.M. followed immediately at approximately 5:55 P.M. by a HOLY HALF HOUR WITH EUCHARISTIC ADORATION concluding with BENEDICTION AND PRAYING OF GRACE BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL AT 6:30 P.M. Click the link below to view.
No other live stream Masses and no other outdoor parking lot Masses are scheduled at this time. Please visit this parish website later this week for updated information on the dates and times of live stream Masses and outdoor parking lot Masses at St. Michael's.
SATURDAY, MAY 30 4:00 P.M. VIGIL MASS
SUNDAY, MAY 31 10:00 A.M. MASS
MONDAY, JUNE 1 5:30 P.M. DAILY MASS
(Content will appear in the above links simultaneously with the specified start time of the particular Mass.)
ST. MICHAEL’S CHURCH TO RE-OPEN ON
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 FOR PRIVATE PRAYER ONLY, THE FEAST OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA
(please carefully review the following for relevant details and guidance)
St. Michael’s Church will be re-opening on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 for private prayer and worship. The building hours on that day will be 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. The building hours for the remainder of this week and next week are noted below. The public health and safety guidelines and procedures that will be followed at all times for the protection of all are also listed below.
This re-opening of the church is part of Phase I of a gradual, phased-in re-opening of the church and restoration of Masses and Sacraments. For the time being the suspension of public Masses and scheduled Sacraments will continue. We are all extremely eager to return to the public celebration of Masses and the Sacraments but in the meantime patience, prudence, and prayer as well as cooperation, thoughtfulness, and safety are the watchwords and the guiding stars.
Diocese of Trenton Updates
Churches May Reopen for Private Prayer Only, in Compliance with Public Health Guidelines, May 13
Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., has issued instructions for the reopening of churches in the Diocese of Trenton – for private prayer only at the present time – following all public health guidelines, beginning May 13, the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima or following, once pastors determine they can safely do so. Please visit the Diocese website at https://dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus to read the Bishop’s announcement in The Trenton Monitor.
Easter blessings to one and all. JESUS IS RISEN! The above image of the risen Jesus emerging from the tomb on the first Easter Sunday morning was emailed by Bishop O'Connell to the priests of the Diocese of Trenton. Let us rejoice in the Resurrection of the Lord. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Palms were not distributed during the Palm Sunday weekend. Palms will be blessed and distributed at a later date to be announced.
Regarding the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation (Confessions).
Scheduled Sacramental Confessions will not be available due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with government public health guidelines and the Diocese mandate directing the closing of all churches in the Diocese issued on April 1. The unavailability of Scheduled Sacramental Confessions does not apply to the dying and the critically ill and other urgent needs that may arise during the pandemic; under those circumstances the parish priests are readily available to respond and may be contacted by phone for making appropriate arrangements. In those cases please contact the parish priests by phone (732-222-8080) at the parish office or through the parish office's after-hours answering service. The faithful are reminded that those who cannot get to Confession because of the COVID-19 virus lock-down (or another serious reason) can go to God directly in private prayer, be specific about their sins, request pardon, and experience God’s loving forgiveness. Do what the Catechism of the Catholic Church says and has said for many years. If Confession with a priest is not available, then pray to and speak directly with God, your Father, and tell Him the truth, say “Lord, I did this, this, this. Forgive me,” and ask for pardon with all your heart. Make an Act of Contrition and promise God, “I will go to Confession afterward when it becomes available again and as soon as possible at that time, but forgive me now.” And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (Section 1452) says: “When it arises from a love by which God is loved above all else, contrition is called ‘perfect’ – contrition of charity. Such contrition remits venial sins; it also obtains forgiveness of mortal sines if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental Confession as soon as possible.” Please remember that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39) He has not abandoned us and we have not abandoned Him.
THE COVID-19 SITUATION: KEY POINTS OF INFORMATION & UPDATES
• The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord has been transferred (for this year only) from Thursday, May 21 to Sunday, May 24.• All public Masses in the Diocese of Trenton (including St. Michael’s) are suspended until further notice. Please see below for further information re the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation and Holy Day obligation in our Diocese.
• The church building hours (for private prayer only) have resumed as of Wednesday, May 12. You may view a schedule of the church building hours (for May 12 through and including Thursday, May 21) by clicking here.
• Collection envelopes may be mailed to or dropped-off at the parish business office or dropped-off in the mailbox near the side door of the rectory. We are extremely grateful for the financial support of our parishioners and visitors during the pandemic. Your support enables us to continue providing necessary services and to meet the parish's financial obligations.
• The parish business office will be staffed (but not open to the public) on a partial-day schedule on a day-to-day basis until further notice. Unless otherwise announced on the parish website or on the electronic message board on the church's front lawn the office hours are: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During those hours the phones will be answered by parish personnel, regular business will be conducted, scheduling arrangements will be accommodated (baptisms, weddings, funeral services, and so forth), etc. The office will be closed all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Emergency calls will be responded to promptly by the parish priests and office staff. Phones will be answered round-the-clock by the office staff or the answering service. If in doubt, please phone the office at (732) 222-8080.
• Mass Cards and Mass Intentions. Those desiring to make arrangements for a Mass to be offered for an announced intention published in the parish bulletin are asked to phone the parish business office (732-222-8080) on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday between 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Parish Secretary Mary Valan will assist you with the arrangements and mail the Mass card to you. The usual stipend is $10.00 per Mass which may be paid by check payable to "St. Michael's Church" and mailed to the parish office.
The COVID-19 Situation: ADDITIONAL UPDATES AND RELEVANT INFORMATION
• Please remember that Bishop O’Connell has granted a DISPENSATION from the OBLIGATION to attend weekend/Sunday Mass and Holy Day of Obligation Mass to all the Catholic faithful in the Diocese of Trenton until further notice. The Bishop recommends that the faithful pray and take advantage of/participate in Holy Mass as broadcast on television and radio. Weekly collection envelopes may be mailed to the parish office and may also be dropped off at the parish office during business hours.• Our parish priests will continue to celebrate (non-publicly; no congregation present) all of the parish’s Monday through Saturday weekday Masses and offer those Masses for the announced intentions published in the bulletin and continue to celebrate (non-publicly; no congregation present) two of the parish’s ten Saturday Vigil Masses and Sunday Masses and offer those two Masses for the announced intentions published in the bulletin. As to the intentions that were scheduled for the Saturday Vigil Masses and Sunday Masses that are not celebrated: (a) with the express permission of the Bishop and dispensing the applicable provision (canon 948) of canon/Church law those intentions will be the intention of the two weekend private/non-public Masses celebrated by Fr. John and Fr. Mark; this special permission from the Bishop has been given for as long as Masses are cancelled in the Diocese due to the coronavirus pandemic and (b) the parish staff will contact the family members and other individuals who have made the requests for those Masses to make arrangements for an additional Mass to be celebrated for the requested intention (no additional stipend will be charged) once the suspension of public Masses is withdrawn.
• In case of an emergency outside of business hours (including a request for a priest for the Sacrament of the Sick), please phone the parish office at (732) 222-8080 and the answering service will contact the parish priest or other appropriate parish staff member to respond to your emergency.
• For hospitalized and gravely ill homebound parishioners and parishioners in hospice care who desire to receive Holy Communion, a family member or friend is asked to phone the parish office to make arrangements. A parish priest will be happy to bring Communion to such individuals.
• Further updates will be placed on the parish website from time to time. Please consult the parish website and the Diocese's website for updated information. Please pray for an end to the COVID-19 virus and for healing, consolation, courage, and wisdom. St. Michael, pray of us.
Bishop O’Connell issued the following Decree on March 20
DECREE
In time of COVID-19
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I promulgate the following decree regarding the liturgies of Palm Sunday and Holy Week throughout the territorial Diocese of Trenton to assist the clergy and the faithful in the spiritual celebration of the Paschal Mysteries.
Bishop O’Connell issued the following Letter on March 20
Office of the Bishop
Diocese of Trenton
March 20, 2020
To All the Faithful of the Diocese of Trenton,
The Holy See has issued a decree regarding the celebrations of the upcoming Palm Sunday and Holy Week/Easter for implementation by Diocesan Bishops throughout the world. I have issued a decree for the Diocese of Trenton, implementing the directives of the Holy See.
Welcome to St. Michael's Parish
St. Michael's exists to be a beautiful place of worship in which we consistently encourage, uplift, and challenge you. These are words we strive to live out daily.
We seek to have a relevant and vibrant church where our members thrive, and passionately pursue the Catholic faith. Our desire is to create a place of fellowship and encourage our members to go deeper in their daily walk with Christ.
We are committed to creating a unique church where members are excited about the atmosphere and ministry that takes place here. Our hope is that you will be able to connect and grow at St. Michael's and soon call us your home.
Know someone needing assistance with food, housing, drug addiction, mental health, domestic violence or immigration? Contact Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton.
Parish Live Stream Archive
Click a Link Below to View Our Previous Live Stream Broadcasts
• 5/25/2020 Memorial Day, 8:00 a.m. Mass
• 5/24/2020 Sunday, 10:00 a.m. Mass
• 5/23/2020 Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
• 5/22/2020 Friday, 5:30 p.m. Mass
• 5/18/2020 5:30 p.m. Mass and Eucharistic Adoration concluding with Benediction and Grace
• 5/17/2020 Sunday, 12:00 Noon Mass (and Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary)
• 5/16/2020 Saturday, 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
• 5/13/2020 6:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 5/13/2020 3:00 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 5/13/2020 12:00 Noon Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 5/13/2020 9:00 a.m. Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 5/11/2020 5:30 p.m. Mass & Holy Half Hour with Eucharistic Adoration
• 5/10/2020 12:00 p.m. Mass & Holy Half Hour with Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 5/9/2020 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
• 5/4/2020 5:30 p.m. Mass & Holy Half Hour with Eucharistic Adoration
• 5/3/2020 12:00 p.m. Mass, May Crowning, Eucharistic Adoration & Rosary
• 5/2/2020 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
• 5/1/2020 5:30 p.m. Mass & Holy Half Hour with Eucharistic Adoration
• 5/1/2020 12:45 p.m. Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 5/1/2020 12:15 p.m. Mass in Latin
• 4/27/2020 5:30 p.m. Mass and Eucharistic Adoration
• 4/26/2020 Sunday, Eucharistic Adoration and Rosary
• 4/26/2020 12:00 p.m. Mass
• 4/26/2020 10:00 a.m. Mass
• 4/25/2020 4:00 p.m. Mass
• 4/20/2020 5:30 p.m. Daily Mass
• 4/19/2020 12:00 Noon Sunday Mass
• 4/18/2020 Saturday 4:00 p.m. Vigil Mass
• 4/12/2020 12:00 Noon Easter Sunday Mass
• 4/12/2020 7:00 a.m. Easter Sunday Mass
• 4/11/2020 Great Easter Vigil
• 4/10/2020 Good Friday 5:30 Stations of the Cross
• 4/10/2020 Good Friday Passion of the Lord
• 4/9/2020 Mass of Lord's Supper (Holy Thursday)
• 4/8/2020 Parish Day of Prayer
• 4/6/2020 Family Holy Hour
• 4/5/2020 12:00 Noon Mass
• 4/3/2020 Stations of the Cross
• 4/3/2020 12:15 PM Latin Mass
• 3/29/2020 12:00 Noon Mass
• 3/22/2020 12:00 Noon Mass