Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no individual blessing of throats on the Feast of St. Blaise. However, in addition to the general blessing imparted at this weekend’s Masses (1/31), the general blessing will also be given at the 9 AM Mass on Wednesday, February 3, the Feast of St. Blaise.
The bishops of New Jersey have continued the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass in person on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation through Christmas. This decision applies to all New Jersey Roman Catholic parishes. For a link to more in-depth information, click the article title.
How we shall manage Advent Confessions and the celebration of Masses during Christmastide is a challenge that is being taken up by the Bishop’s COVID-19 Taskforce. Guidance will soon be provided to the pastors as they look toward that busy time!
Reservations for Saturday afternoon and Sunday Masses will be taken on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday only. No reservations will be accepted on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.
The limits placed upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic do not allow us to render homage to St. Anthony, our parish co-patron, as we would like. A Mass will be live streamed from Our Lady of Sorrows Church at 11:00 AM on this parish solemnity, Saturday, June 13. May this great preacher and Doctor of the Church intercede for us and draw us ever closer to the Lord.
As of last Wednesday, people in the Trenton Diocese were again able to visit select Catholic churches for a few minutes of private prayer. Click the article title for information on how this is implemented at the parish of Our Lady of Sorrows - St. Anthony.
Prominent bioethics groups are raising concerns because British scientists used cell lines derived from aborted babies in their experiments, while ethical alternatives are available, and they can be just as successful. Recently, the Charlotte Lozier Institute noted that at least 60 potential treatments for the virus are being investigated right now using materials that do not come from aborted babies. Click the article title for more information.
Please say a prayer for all who have given their lives in the fight against the Corona Virus and pray for all our priests who are doing so much in this continuing battle.
Beginning on May 10, our live streamed Masses will be available on YouTube. We decided to make this change because there are parishioners who do not have and do not want a Facebook account. The YouTube platform does not require parishioners to have an account. Click the article title to find a link to the parish YouTube channel.
Please remember that the graces and Plenary Indulgence attached to Divine Mercy Sunday is obtainable even during this time of Coronavirus. The homebound should make an Act of Perfect Contrition prior to viewing a televised Mass on that day. At the time of Communion an Act of Spiritual Communion should be prayed. The plenary indulgence should also include a prayer for the Holy Father’s Intentions. A Sacramental Confession should follow as soon as possible, once diocesan and civil restrictions are lifted.
Along with the Christmas Collection, the Easter appeal is one of the most important of the year. Your generosity in this collection goes very far in meeting our many expenses—not only the care of buildings and grounds but our obligations to our employees and our diocese. Please be generous. Click the article title to find instructions for mailing your donation, or signing up for online giving.
...we are providing Worship Aids that include the readings for each of the Holy Week liturgies. This way, you can read along, keeping your participation in the liturgy strong, even separated by distance from the physical celebration. Please also remember to make a spiritual communion at the appropriate time during the liturgy. The prayer for that is also found on this website.
If you do not already have a Facebook account, you might not be able to view the live streamed Mass on our Facebook page. The good news is, Facebook is free, and you don't need to download an app for it--you can access it through your internet browser. Click the article title to find out how to create an account in Facebook.
Bishop O'Connell has put out a notice with guidance on Confession during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as other Diocesan measures taken as a result of the pandemic. Click the article title for a link to his notice.
We are determined to keep the group going through this period of crisis. Therefore, we will continue to read the current book, according to the schedule you'll find by clicking on the article title. You'll also find out how we will communicate our thoughts, questions, and ideas concerning the book as we continue.