Updated as of 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020
COVID-19 UPDATE – As of Friday, April 3 at 4:00 PM
Church Building Hours:
Per MANDATE of our Bishop, the church will be closed to the public at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, April 1 FOR ALL PURPOSES and will remain closed to the public until further notice. NO EXCEPTIONS.
This action is out of an abundance of caution on the advice of public health officials and for the health and safety of all the faithful and for everyone’s protection.
Please pray for an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, for all the deceased, for all those suffering from the illness, all the health care workers, for all the medical researchers, and for each other and for all the world; and for a speedy return to normalcy. God bless.
Palms will not be distributed during the Palm Sunday weekend. Palms will be distributed at a later date to be announced.
PARISH LIVE STREAM
This coming Sunday, April 5 (Palm Sunday), St. Michael's will be broadcasting a live stream of the 12:00 PM Mass. Click the link below to view:
(Content will appear in this link Sunday, April 5 at 12:00 PM)
The recording of the St. Michael's Stations of the Cross on Friday, April 3, 2020 may be accessed by clicking the following link: 4/3/2020 Stations of the Cross
The recording of the St. Michael's 12:15 PM Latin Mass of Friday, April 3, 2020 may be accessed by clicking the following link: 4/3/2020 12:15 PM Latin Mass.
The recording of the St. Michael's 12:00 Noon Mass of Sunday, March 29, 2020 may be accessed by clicking the following link: 3/29/2020 12:00 Noon Mass.
The recording of the St. Michael's 12:00 Noon Mass of Sunday, March 22, 2020 may be accessed by clicking the following link: 3/22/2020 12:00 Noon Mass.
Holy Week 2020 Schedule Updated 4/1/2020
Family Holy Hour
Monday of Holy Week:
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Confessions
All Confessions (regrettably) are cancelled. See below for guidance on a prayerful Confession directly with Jesus with an Act of Contrition per the Catechism (Section 1452).
Stations of the Cross
Wednesday, April 8 at Noon
Friday, April 10 at 5:30 PM
PARISH DAY OF PRAYER FOR COVID-19 RELIEF
Wednesday of Holy Week:
8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Holy Thursday
7:30 PM Mass of the Lord’s Supper
Good Friday
3:00 PM Passion of the Lord
5:30 PM Stations of the Cross
Holy Saturday
8:00 PM Great Vigil Mass
Easter Sunday
7:00 AM Mass
12:00 PM Mass
NOTA BENE
The church must remain closed per Diocesan Mandate of April 1. Accordingly all Confessions are cancelled except for the dying and seriously ill.
* Non-Public; No congregation due to COVID-19.
* Viewable on YouTube via the link to be found on the parish website.
Regarding the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation (Confessions).
Sacramental Confession will not be available (except for the dying and the critically ill; and in those cases only at their home or healthcare facility) in light of the closing of all churches in the Diocese per the Bishop’s Mandate issued on April 1. The faithful are reminded that those who cannot get to Confession because of the COVID-19 virus lockdown (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.
FAMILY HOLY HOUR WITH EUCHARISTIC ADORATION
PARISH DAY OF PRAYER & FASTING FOR COVID-19 RELIEF & RECOVERY
In a parish-wide effort (and non-public way cooperating with applicable guidelines) to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, our parish will be conducting:
- a Family Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration on the Monday evening of Holy Week at 7:00 p.m. This is the day and time slot that during “ordinary times” and during an “ordinary Holy Week” would have marked the celebration of the Diocesan Chrism Mass. That Mass has been postponed due to the COVID-19 situation and so we are offering as an alternative an opportunity for familes of the parish to gather as a family – and for ALL who desire to participate – in an online Holy Hour with Eucharistic Adoration that will be streamed in real-time from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6.
- a “Parish Day of Prayer and Fasting for COVID-19 Relief and Recovery” on the Wednesday of Holy Week, April 8, 2020. The “day” will be a day-long, continuous prayer for an end to the pandemic, for healing of all those affected by the virus, and for the courageous work of all those treating the patients and searching for remedies and vaccines. A fast is also encouraged for this day with the fast offered up for COVID-19 relief and recovery. All are invited and urged to participate via the link to the streaming YouTube video that will be accessible at the parish website. The church doors will not be open (in light of the Bishop’s mandate of April 1) but we will be spiritually united and together in prayer throughout the day. The entire day will be streamed. The day will begin with the parish’s usual daily Mass at 8:00 a.m., Stations of the Cross at 12:00 Noon, and end with Stations of the Cross at 7:00 p.m. Throughout the day we will have Eucharistic Adoration and also hourly prayers for COVID-related needs and intentions. The Rosary (in its entirety) will be prayed at four points during the day. An hour-by-hour schedule will be posted on the parish website.
- both of these events may be viewed by going to the parish website at www.stmichaelnj.com shortly before the start time of the event and clicking on the link that you will find there. St. Michael, pray for us.
• Consistent with the Bishop’s Decree In Time of COVID-19 there will be no public gatherings (inside or outside churches, in cars, etc.) during Holy Week. All Holy Week Masses and other liturgies will take place without a congregation present in the church.
• There will be no Lenten Penance service this year due to the COVID-19 situation. Confession times during Holy Week that had been planned as announced in the parish bulletin are CANCELLED in light of the Bishop’s April 1 Mandate closing all churches for all purposes in the Diocese of Trenton. No permission has been given for “general absolution” by the Pope nor by the Bishop.
• Regarding Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord’s Supper), Good Friday (Passion of the Lord), Holy Saturday (Great Vigil Mass), and Easter Sunday’s 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 Noon Masses: Please see the above schedule for streaming of these liturgies via a link on the parish website to YouTube.
• On Holy Thursday: the washing of feet (which is optional already) will be omitted this year; the customary procession with the Blessed Sacrament will be omitted; the church will not be open (per Diocese, State, and municipal guidelines) for veneration of the Blessed Sacrament following the Holy Thursday Mass.
• No palms will be distributed on Palm Sunday this year and plans will be announced as to the distribution of blessed palms to parishioners at a later date. The customary Blessing of Easter food will not take place this year.
• At the Holy Saturday Vigil Mass: the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA), Reception Into Full Communion, Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation will all be postponed and re-scheduled once restrictions are lifted.
THE COVID-19 SITUATION: KEY POINTS OF INFORMATION & UPDATES
• All public Masses in the Diocese of Trenton (including St. Michael’s) are suspended through Easter Sunday, April 12. Please see below for further information re the dispensation from the Sunday Mass obligation in our Diocese.• The church building hours: the church is closed per mandate of the Bishop as of 12:00 Noon on April 1 and will remain closed until further notice.
• Collection envelopes may be mailed to or dropped-off at the parish business office.
• Please see the Holy Week schedule above.
• The parish business office will be staffed (but not open to the public) on a partial-day schedule on a day-to-day basis through at least April 12 as follows: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 8. The office will be closed all day on Tuesday of Holy Week, Holy Thursday (April 9), Good Friday (April 10), and Easter Monday (April 13). The parish office will reopen on Tuesday, April 14 at 8:30 a.m. 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. Specific days and times when the staff will be in the office will be posted on the parish website. If in doubt, please phone the office at (732) 222-8080.
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 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.
• The date for the resumption of CCD classes will be evaluated as circumstances evolve and will be announced when it is determined. Mr. Connelly has been and will be communicating via email with all CCD students, parents, teachers, and teachers aides regarding further related details (for example: lesson plans, online instruction, homework and notebook assignments, quizzes and tests, etc.).
• 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.
• The Monday evening and Tuesday morning Bible Study sessions are suspended until the week of April 20.
• 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.
