From the Bishop
-
5/4/2020
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BISHOP
National health experts and scientists continue to express grave concerns that the spread of COVID-19 is far from over. While they agree that mitigation and the other precautions that have been taken throughout the country seem effective, they are urging people not to lower their guard about this exceedingly contagious virus. Some experts fear that we are facing a “slow burn” in the U.S. with coronavirus continuing to spread “for many months to come.”
“You can see this slow simmer explode into a new epidemic or large outbreaks,” said Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former director of the Food and Drug Administration. “That’s the concern — that if we don’t snuff this out more, and you have this slow burn of infection, it can ignite at any time.”
“You need to continue to social distance, you need to continue to practice scrupulous hand-washing,” observed Dr. Deborah Birx, response coordinator of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. “If you have any pre-existing condition, through Phase 1 and Phase 2 of any reopening, we have asked you to continue to shelter in place.”
Our own state continues to witness an alarmingly high number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths, the second highest number in the U.S. Despite the effort to provide some relaxation of regulations in N.J. state parks, golf courses and beaches to allow outdoor activities, these efforts remain subject to current precautionary restrictions.
Speaking on Fox News Sunday regarding the situation in N.J. Governor Phil Murphy expressed some optimism but cautioned, “We’ve got to make our decision based on the science, the data and the facts… we’re not out of this yet ... we’re not in the end zone yet.” He continued, “We’re the densest state in America, our region is the densest region in America, [so] we’ve got to be exceedingly careful.”
In the Diocese of Trenton, I have created a Post-Pandemic Parish Task Force of Pastors to initiate planning for the time when our parishes and churches can begin to reopen for private prayer without public Masses, sacramental celebrations and group prayer and devotions, observing the state guidelines currently in place. The Task Force will then establish common guidelines and directives for the time when we can proceed toward the gradual, full restoration of parish life. It is clear, however, that the time is not now and not yet.
Churches will remain temporarily closed for the present, live-streamed Masses will continue to support our prayer life for the time being, spiritual communions will be encouraged until we can receive the Eucharist again and Sacraments will remain temporarily postponed until it is safe to resume these elements of our full Catholic spiritual life. The key word is “safe.” Those with the extensive public health expertise, experience and competence have advised that the situation is simply not “safe” for us at this point in the pandemic, especially for those who are unknowingly asymptomatic and may be COVID-19 carriers or for those in high risk categories.
In the meantime, our faith and hope must remain strong, perhaps stronger than ever. Our conviction that God is especially present in times of sacrifice and suffering must influence our personal and communal response to what the pandemic requires of us. Our hunger for the Eucharist and Sacraments must intensify our spiritual desire. Our prayer life must accompany us daily through these difficult times. Our circumstances must move us to continue to be generous, especially with our parishes which are facing huge financial problems as they contemplate even greater burdens now and in the future.
Although, for now, we need to stay apart physically to prevent and contain further contagion, we also need to remain spiritually together, united and determined that “nothing can separate us from the love of God that comes to us in Christ Jesus, Our Lord ( Romans 8:39). What is temporary will end. What is enduring — faith, hope and love — will continue.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us!
April 2, 2020NOTICE
from
Bishop David M. O’Connell, CMGUIDANCE REGARDING CONFESSION & THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
During this time when our churches and chapels are closed, and when the risk of transmitting COVID-19 is of such grave concern, Confessions should only be requested of our priests in times of emergency or other extreme circumstances.
I ask the faithful to reflect on the advice of Pope Francis and the Catechism’s teaching on seeking God’s forgiveness during these very difficult days:“But many people today would tell me, ‘Father, where can I find a priest, a confessor, because I can’t leave the house? And I want to make peace with the Lord, I want him to embrace me, I want the Father’s embrace.’ Do what the Catechism the Catholic Church (n. 1452) says. It is very clear: If you cannot find a priest to confess to, 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, but forgive me now.’ And immediately you will return to a state of grace with God.”
Homily, Mass, March 20, 2020
DIOCESAN MEASURES TAKEN IN LIGHT OF COVID-19
The current COVID emergency, which has required that all public Masses be cancelled, has led to a sudden and significant decline in the weekly offertory, which parishes need to sustain themselves financially. When the parishes are faced with such a sudden drop in offertory, the Diocese of Trenton is also left without a means to fund all that it does on behalf of the faithful.
Our parishes, schools and Chancery are working to manage this crisis and furloughing some of our staff has become an unfortunate necessity. Our goal, however, is to ensure that health care coverage remains in place for any furloughed staff member who is eligible to receive it for, at minimum, a period of three months.
We will be advising all furloughed staff to apply for unemployment insurance under the provisions of the new federal COVID-19 funding legislation, and we will keep them apprised of any developments in this area.
We are doing all that we can and will continue to give this our best effort. While there is great uncertainty at this time, it is our hope that we can restore our parishes, schools and diocesan operations to full staffing once the current emergency has passed.
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.
These unprecedented measures have been deemed necessary, given the best information we have received from federal, state and local public health authorities.
Although COVID-19 has dramatically affected all of us in so many ways, I want to reach out to you with pastoral care and affection. Our public Holy Week and Easter celebrations will be quite different this year but the underlying mysteries of our faith in the Lord’s passion, death and resurrection have not changed. They continue to be the source and support of our faith and we should celebrate them this year, even though in a different way.
Permit me please, as your Bishop, to encourage you to use all the means available, to sustain and nurture your faith. Follow Masses and other liturgical celebrations reverently on-line or via televised broadcast. Read the liturgical readings in your missals, other publications or on the internet. Pray your devotions privately or as families, especially the rosary, Stations of the Cross, and other beloved traditional devotions. Where it is possible and permitted, stop in church to visit and adore the Blessed Sacrament. If this is not possible, make a spiritual communion at home or wherever you may be. The great saints in our Church’s history followed that practice. Keep your faith and prayer life alive until things in our public practice of the faith are restored.
Please stay as calm as possible. Faith and patience are good companions in the spiritual life. They become the source of charity in our genuine witness to the Lord Jesus and his Good News. Be kind and attentive to others —- your own families, neighbors, friends and those who are elderly and alone. Reach out in the best ways possible. Be grateful to/for those who are working to address COVID-19 in so many different venues. Be generous. The pandemic is and will continue take its toll on families and on our parishes. Keep the needs of others in mind.
Above all, please remember that the Lord Jesus is in our midst, now and always. As he touched lives, healed the sick and ministered with love and merciful compassion throughout the Gospels, know that he will continue to do so for us. Have no doubt about that. “Be joyful in hope, persevere in hardship, keep praying regularly (Romans 12:12).”
God bless us all and protect us. O Mary, Mother of Divine Love, protect and lead us to the heart of your Son.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Bishop O’Connell
EPISCOPAL DECREE
REGARDING LITURGICAL DIRECTIVES
HOLY WEEK & EASTER
In time of COVID-19[edited]
As Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton, I promulgate the following decree regarding the liturgies of Palm Sunday and Holy Week throughout the Diocese of Trenton to assist the clergy and the faithful in the spiritual celebration of the Paschal Mysteries.PALM SUNDAY—APRIL 5
No public gatherings (inside or outside Churches, in cars, etc.).
The Mass for Palm Sunday will be celebrated by the Bishop without a congregation, with the blessing of palms and broadcast via the live-stream internet on the Diocesan websites at 11 am on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Visit: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus.
The Mass for Palm Sunday may be celebrated without a congregation by the pastor/parish priest in parish churches.
Blessed palms can be made available for distribution at a later date.CHRISM MASS—APRIL 6
The Chrism Mass will be postponed and re-scheduled for another date/time with the renewal of priestly commitment and the blessing/consecration of oils occurring at that time.
PASCHAL TRIDUUM
The following liturgical directives are to be observed in accordance with the “Decree in Time of COVID-19” issued on March 19, 2020 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff for the year 2020 only.
The Paschal Triduum cannot be transferred to another time.HOLY THURSDAY—APRIL 9
No public gatherings (inside or outside Churches, in cars, etc.).
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated by the Bishop without a congregation and broadcast via the live-stream internet on the Diocesan websites at 7 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2020. Visit: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus
The Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper may be celebrated without a congregation by the pastor/parish priest in parish. The Washing of the Feet is omitted. The Blessed Sacrament should be kept in the tabernacle, as usual, i.e. no altar of reposition.GOOD FRIDAY—APRIL 10
No public gatherings (inside or outside Churches, in cars, etc.).
The Commemoration/Celebration of the Lord’s Passion will be celebrated by the Bishop without a congregation and broadcast via the live-stream internet on the Diocesan websites at 3 pm on Friday, April 10, 2020. Visit: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus
The Commemoration/Celebration of the Lord’s Passion may be celebrated without a congregation by the pastor/parish priest. A special commemoration in the General Intercessions for the sick, the dead and for those who feel lost or dismayed will be developed by the Office of Worship and sent to the parishes for mandated use.HOLY SATURDAY—APRIL 11
No public gatherings (inside or outside Churches, in cars, etc.).
The Easter Vigil will be celebrated by the Bishop without a congregation and broadcast via the live-stream internet on the Diocesan websites at 7 pm on Saturday, April 11, 2020.
Visit: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus
The Easter Vigil may be celebrated without a congregation by the pastor/parish priest in parish churches. During the Easter Vigil: The preparation and lighting of the fire is omitted. The paschal candle is lit without procession followed by the recited Easter Proclamation. The Liturgy of the Word takes place. A small amount of Holy Water may be blessed but holy water fonts should remain empty.
The Rite of Christian Initiation and/or Reception into Full Communion will be postponed and re-scheduled once restrictions are liftedEASTER SUNDAY—APRIL 12
No public gatherings (inside or outside Churches, in cars, etc.).
Mass for Easter Sunday will be celebrated by the Bishop without a congregation and broadcast via the live-stream internet on the Diocesan websites at 10 am on Sunday, April 12, 2020.
Visit: https://dioceseoftrenton.org/coronavirus
Mass for Easter Sunday may be celebrated without a congregation by the pastor/parish priest in parish churches. Priests are otherwise asked to celebrate Easter Sunday without a congregation.Most Reverend David M. O’Connell, C.M., J.C.D.,
March 20, 2020POST-SCRIPT:
No general absolution is to be given at this time; if that changes, it will be communicated / announced.
Regarding Plenary Indulgence:
The Plenary Indulgence is granted to the faithful suffering from Coronavirus, who are subject to quarantine by order of the health authority in hospitals or in their own homes if, with a spirit detached from any sin, they unite spiritually through the media to the celebration of Holy Mass, the recitation of the Holy Rosary, to the pious practice of the Way of the Cross or other forms of devotion, or if at least they will recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer and a pious invocation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, offering this trial in a spirit of faith in God and charity towards their brothers and sisters, with the will* to fulfill the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer according to the Holy Father's intentions), as soon as possible.
Health care workers, family members and all those who, following the example of the Good Samaritan, exposing themselves to the risk of contagion, care for the sick of Coronavirus according to the words of the divine Redeemer: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15: 13), will obtain the same gift of the Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions.
This Apostolic Penitentiary also willingly grants a Plenary Indulgence under the same conditions on the occasion of the current world epidemic, also to those faithful who offer a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, or Eucharistic adoration, or reading the Holy Scriptures for at least half an hour, or the recitation of the Holy Rosary, or the pious exercise of the Way of the Cross, or the recitation of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, to implore from Almighty God the end of the epidemic, relief for those who are afflicted and eternal salvation for those whom the Lord has called to Himself.
The Church prays for those who find themselves unable to receive the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick and of the Viaticum, entrusting each and every one to divine Mercy by virtue of the communion of saints and granting the faithful a Plenary Indulgence on the point of death, provided that they are duly disposed and have recited a few prayers during their lifetime (in this case the Church makes up for the three usual conditions required). For the attainment of this indulgence the use of the crucifix or the cross is recommended (cf. Enchiridion indulgentiarum, no.12).
*fulfillment of the usual conditions may not be immediately possible; therefore, the will to fulfill them suffices with the intention to fulfill the usual conditions “as soon as possible.”