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** IMPORTANT COVID-19 NOTICE **
2:30 p.m. March 25, 2020
Dear parishioners and visitors,
Please be advised that Bishop Frank Caggiano temporarily suspended all weekday and Sunday public Masses in the presence of the lay faithful in the Diocese of Bridgeport until Monday, April 30th. Therefore, Fr. David Franklin and I will offer daily and weekend Masses privately until we receive further communication from the Diocese. Mass intentions will be applied.
After further conversations with the staff and lay leadership, I have decided with heartfelt compassion to close the church starting tomorrow. Our staff will then proceed to clean and sanitize thoroughly the entire church interior, not only high touch points but the carpeting, flooring, pews, pew cushions, and any other areas as warranted. This preventative action will take several days and is being done in order to protect the health of all parishioners, visitors, and staff. As a result, the church, will be remain closed during the period of our Eucharistic fast, that is, until April 3rd.
All religious education programs are suspended, as well, with at-home work provided by Mrs. Lynn Smierciak, the Director of Religious Education. We have included additional information for devotions and prayers for the "domestic church" on our website and encourage you to also go to the website of the Diocese of Bridgeport which is the following: www.bridgeportdiocese.org Please pray the Rosary daily for the protection and intercession of Our Lady, the Mother of the Church and our Mother in faith. Catholic devotional prayers and spiritual readings are all wonderful sources of strength and courage.
In addition to the church, the Carmen Lucia Buck Religious Education Building will be closed tomorrow for a thorough cleaning and sanitizing. These preventative practices reflect our intention to follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and mandates of the State of Connecticut in order to defeat the spread of this disease.
Finally, at the direction of Bishop Frank Caggiano, our Rectory Office is closed for in person visits but open for telephone and remote coverage to assist you. Thank you for your continued patience and cooperation as we face this crisis together as men and women of faith.
Please note that the situation we face is fluid. We do not know how long the restrictions imposed on us will be in effect. We do know that across the globe people are sacrificing personal freedoms and daily activities for the safety of their families and neighbors. People are acting selflessly and quietly accepting burdens imposed by governments, schools, businesses, and religious institutions. We are mindful of the sacrifices you are making and grateful for your support and your witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This pandemic will be a long fight that will require shared sacrifices but our good deeds will help defeat it. Your courage, your cheerfulness, your resolution will bring us victory by the grace of God.
Devotedly in Christ,
Father Samuel Scott
Our Lenten Sacrifice
Days of Abstinence – Ash Wednesday, all Fridays in Lent, and Good Friday for all who have reached their 14th birthday, no meat can be taken.
Days of Fast – Ash Wednesday and Good Friday for all who have reached their 18th birthday and have not as yet reached their 60th birthday, a limit of one full meatless meal.
Weekdays of Lent – No obligation to fast; however, voluntary acts of self-denial are recommended.
Easter Duty Obligation – Must be made from the First Sunday in Lent, March 1st, through Trinity Sunday, June 7th.
Self Denial – Is encouraged on a voluntary basis. Acts may include daily Mass, spiritual study, Lenten Devotions, the Rosary, Stations of the Cross and deeds of mercy and kindness.
Abstinence – No meat
Fast and Abstinence – 1 full meal (18 through 59), no meat over 14 years old
Eucharistic Fast – 1 hour from foods and liquids
Water and medicine never break a fast
How to pray the Rosary
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Music Mass Schedule
SATURDAY VIGIL
4:00 (Hymns)
SUNDAY
7:30 AM (Quiet Mass: No Music)
9:00 AM (Family Mass)
10:30 AM (Mass with Adult Choir)
12 Noon (Solemn Mass) Gregorian Chant and Polyphony
5 PM (Quiet Mass: No music)
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