Dear Archdiocesan and Parish Staff and Clergy,

On August 4^th there was a terrible explosion in Beirut which has caused great devastation.  Both the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace (D and P) and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) are collecting funds to assist with emergency aid for the people most in need.  Until August 23^rd the donations made through D and P will be matched by the Canadian Government.

Information regarding making a donation through D and P and through CNEWA can be found on our Archdiocesan website www.rcsj.org.  Also please find attached a D and P bulletin announcement that you may wish to use in your parish bulletin and/or on your parish website.

With gratitude and best wishes,

+Peter Hundt

Archbishop of St. John’s, Nfld.

Crisis in Lebanon – Development and Peace Emergency Fund 

The situation in Lebanon following August 4^th explosion has been described as “beyond imagination.” Thousands of people have been affected with over 159 people dying, over 6,000 injured, and over 300,000 people left homeless. The explosions have also worsened the country’s social, economic, and political crisis.

Development and Peace’s partner, Caritas Lebanon, is providing food, water, medical aid, and psychological and social support to those impacted by this crisis. Development and Peace and its trusted network of partners in the country are also assessing the long-term impacts and needs of this crisis.

Please join in Pope Francis’ invitation to pray for the victims, for their families, and for all of Lebanon. Please also consider joining the Pope in responding to this desperate cry for help by donating to the emergency relief effort at Development and Peace – Caritas Canada through the following link: https://bit.ly/2DRwfiv or by calling 1 888 664-3387.

Development and Peace is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada and the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis.

PLEASE NOTE: AN ENVELOPE IS ATTACHED TO THIS WEEKS BULLETIN AND A SPECIAL COLLECTION WILL BE TAKEN UP AT ALL THE MASSES NEXT WEEKEND. YOUR DONATION WILL BE FORWARDED TO DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

TROUTER’S SPECIAL WINNERS

1^st Draw –$1,000.00(Drawn March 11, 2020) – Carol & Jason Slade

2^nd Draw – $1,000.00(Drawn March 18^th, 2020) – Krista Power

3^rd Draw – $1,000.00 –Ticket # – 1651 – Gerard Murphy

4^th Draw – $1,000.00 –Ticket # 1111 – Gerard Smith

5^th Draw – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 2358 – Robert Brown

6^th Draw – $1,000.00 – Ticket# 2430 – The Maddigans

7^th Draw – $1,000.00 – Tickets # 2341 – Anne Marie White

8^th Draw – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 0260 – Shawn Johnson

9^th Draw – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 1541 – Tyson Hancock

1^st Prize – $10,000.00 – Ticket # 2022 – Daphne & Rob  Leitch

Sellers Prize – $500.00. – Dan Howard

2^nd Prize – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 2483 – Michelle Power

3^rd Prize – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 2188 – Cathy & Graham Jackman

4^th Prize – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 1218 – Patty Clancy

5^th Prize – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 1694 – Marian Elliott

6^th Prize – $1,000.00 – Ticket # 0613 – Austin Brophy

Congratulations to all winners and all who supported this fundraiser.

Dear Parishioners,

Father James Beresford entered his eternal rest this past weekend. Some years ago, Father Jim was Administrator at St. Patrick’s and St. John Bosco Parishes. A very warm and pastoral priest, Father Jim left a lasting impression wherever he was stationed. His dedication, his love for the people and his gentleness will be remembered for years to come. In the name of all parishioners I extend heartfelt sympathy to Archbishop Peter Hundt, his brother priests, his family, and friends. Father Beresford’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Mary Queen of the World Parish, Topsail Rd., on Wednesday July 15^th at 11 AM. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

Father Ray Earle

Pastor

COVID-19 Guidelines for Return to Mass

This weekend’s Mass, for Sunday, June 28, is available by clicking on the link below.

Sunday’s Mass (click here)

CHURCHES TO OPEN

WARM WELCOME TO ALL PARISHIONERS & FRIENDS OF ST. PATRICK’S AND ST. JOHN BOSCO PARISHES

Dear Parishioners,

I begin by welcoming all parishioners and friends of St. Patrick’s and St. John Bosco Parishes to the “in person” celebration of Eucharist and other personal and liturgical prayer. We have moved to Level 2 of the Covid 19 restrictions. Churches are now permitted to open their doors with strict adherence to certain guidelines provided by the Government, Medical and Archdiocesan officials. We will adhere to the following procedures.

1. OPENING DOORS: The Church doors of St. Patrick’s and St John Bosco are tentatively scheduled to reopen on the first weekend of July (July 4/5). Doors will be opened 30 MINUTES before weekend Masses for REGISTRATION PURPOSES.

2. RESTRICTIONS IMPOSED: All gatherings including Mass are restricted to 50 people.

3. REGISTRATION: You must PRE-REGISTER to participate at WEEKEND MASSES by calling the Parish Office (754-1195) Wednesday to Friday from 9 am – 12 Noon. You will need to provide your name, your address, and your phone number for Covid 19 tracing purposes. According to regulations this information will be kept for two weeks and then discarded.

4. ONE MASS: You may register ONLY for one weekend Mass PER WEEK.

Mass Times are as follows:

St. Patrick’s – Saturday @ 4:00 PM     Sunday @ 10:15 AM and 7:00 PM

ST JOHN BOSCO:    Saturday 5:30 pm

5. WEEKDAY SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE: Tuesday – Friday 10 am. Weekday Schedule will commence Tuesday July 7, 2020 at 10 am and will be celebrated in the main church to maintain physical distancing.

6. PHYSICAL DISTANCING: At all times, a minimum of 6 feet distance between people is mandatory. That includes parking lots, the exterior of the Church (lineup to enter etc.) and the interior.

7. SEATING: Those who attend MUST SIT 6 feet apart according to physical distancing regulations. Pews are clearly marked and an usher will direct you to your seat.

8. FAMILY SEATING: Families may sit together in a pew (limit 4 per family). The number is limited to give others a chance to attend.

9. HAND SANITIZING: a. Necessary upon entry to the Church, b. Before receiving Communion  c. Before leaving Church

10. FACE MASKS: It is RECOMMENDED that you wear a face mask during the celebration of Mass. Masks will not be provided. Please bring your own mask if you intend to wear one.

11. NO SINGING: Congregational singing is not permitted during Mass. There will be a cantor (singer) who will maintain a space of 10 feet from the Congregation. CONGREGATION PLEASE DO NOT SING ALONG.

12. COMMUNION: Holy Communion will be distributed BY THE PRIEST (ON THE HAND ONLY) The Archbishop has approved this guideline for use in parishes. PLEASE DO NOT PRESENT YOURSELF FOR COMMUNION ON THE TONGUE. PROCEDURE: Individual line in the Center Aisle / Communion on the hand / Receive then move aside and consume the Sacred Host / If wearing a mask – do the same – receive – move aside – remove mask – and then consume.

13. COLLECTION: There will be baskets by the entrance to the Church in which to place your Sunday Offering. Collection at the regular Offertory time IS NOT PERMITTED.

14. WASHROOMS: Emergency use only. The washrooms will be locked. If you have an emergency and need to use the washroom, the Coordinator for the Mass will have a key to allow access. ONE PERSON AT A TIME IN THE WASHROOM. These restrictions are for sanitizing purposes.

15. BULLETINS: Will be posted online. We may begin distribution of paper copies in the future.

16. ST. PATRICK’S CHURCH DOORS OPEN DAILY: For the time being, St. Patrick’s Church doors will be open for private prayer from 9 am – 12 noon Monday to Friday. A LOG BOOK will be at the entrance. You MUST put down your name, address, phone number, and time of entry and exit in that LOG BOOK for tracing purposes. This is a Government and Medical requirement. ALSO, THE MAIN BODY OF THE CHURCH WILL BE ROPED OFF WITH ONLY THE AREA IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE TABERNACLE ACCESSIBLE FOR PERSONAL PRAYER. PLEASE DO NOT GO BEYOND THAT IMMEDIATE AREA. This is critical for sanitizing purposes. Close monitoring of the Church will take place to ensure these guidelines are strictly adhered to. Any departure from these guidelines will mean the Church will be closed again.

 THERE WILL BE USHERS TO ANSWER OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. AS WE OPEN THE DOORS OF OUR CHURCHES, I EXPRESS SINCERE AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO ALL PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS FOR THE COURAGEOUS WAY WE HAVE FACED THESE DIFFICULT DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC. WE NEED TO EXERCISE CAUTION AND CARE AS WE MOVE FORWARD. MAINTAIN PHYSICAL DISTANCING. AND ALTHOUGH THE NATURAL WAY TO ACT IS BY STRETCHING OUT A HAND OF WELCOME AND HELLO, PLEASE RESIST THAT NATURAL INCLINATION. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER – AT A SAFE DISTANCE!!! LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE COMING WEEKS.

GOD BLESS!

FATHER RAY

Dear Lord

Help us to remember when we first met, and the abiding love that grew between us.  Please work our love into practical living so nothing will ever divide us.  We pray for words both kind and loving, and hearts always ready to ask for forgiveness as well as to forgive.  Lord, together with faith and hope, we place our lives and marriage in  your righteous hands.  AMEN

A Prayer for Summer

Father, Creator of all, thank you for summer. Thank you for the warmth of the sun and the increased daylight. Thank You for the beauty I see all around me and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy your creation. Thank you for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family, and for the more casual pace of the summer season. Draw me closer to you this summer. Teach me how I can pray no matter where I am or what I am doing. Warm my soul with the awareness of your presence and light my path with your word and counsel. As I enjoy your creation, create in me a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for you.

Amen.

TROUTER’S SPECIAL DRAW

Due to Covid 19, our annual fundraiser, St. Patrick’s Parish Trouters Special Draw had to be postponed.  We ceased selling our tickets and also doing our weekly draw.  Our first and second weekly draw winners were Carol and Jason Slade – March 11, ticket # 0620 & Krista Power – March 18^th, ticket # 1830.

We have been in touch with the lottery board and obtained a new draw date of Friday, July 31^st at 12:00 Noon.  At this time all remaining draws will take place.

12 Draws of $1,000.00

1 Draw of $10,000.00

There is a seller’s prize  of $500.00 for the seller of the $10,000.00 ticket.

TOTAL PAYOUT ON JULY 31 ……..$22,500.00

With many restrictions still in place it is very hard to sell the remaining 350 tickets.  If you are interested in purchasing a ticket, please call the parish office at 754-1195 or email us at home@stpatrickschurch.ca. You can book your ticket and we can arrange for payment when our office opens or we could  deliver  your ticket to you.

We thank you for your continued support.  Good luck to everyone!

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. John’s, NL
Message from the Archbishop

June 19, 2020

Re: Reopening our Churches and Offices to the Public

Dear People of the Archdiocese of St. John’s:

On Wednesday, the Chief Medical Officer announced that the Province will be entering Level 2 on June 25^th 2020.  We know that according to the guidelines for this level, churches will be permitted to reopen “with restrictions”.  These restrictions have not yet been communicated to the Archdiocese and other Faith Communities. The COVID-19 Sub-committee of the Presbyteral Council has been working on a Diocesan Plan for the reopening of our church buildings.  However, they have been unable to finalize this plan due to the lack of information regarding these restrictions.

Recently, I was invited to participate in a virtual meeting with the Chief Medical Officer and other Provincial Faith Leaders on Tuesday, June 23^rd to “…discuss spiritual gatherings in Alert Level 2 of our public health emergency.”  I expect that the restrictions on public worship at Alert Level 2 will be a major topic at this meeting.

Once we have received the information on these restrictions, our Sub-committee will be able to finalize pastoral ministry guidelines for Alert Level 2 and we will be able to send them to the priests and parishes of the Archdiocese.  However, this does not mean that our church buildings will be able to reopen right away.  Each parish and parish priest will need to study the guidelines and prepare parish staff and volunteers to implement and administer them in the parish.  Once the parish priest, and parishioners working with him, are confident that they can safely open their church for public worship according to the Public Health Measures and Archdiocesan Guidelines, they will be required to submit to the Archdiocese information on their proposed Mass schedule and the times when their church will be open for private prayer.

Furthermore, our Archdiocesan Occupational Health and Safety Committee has been preparing guidelines for reopening to the public our diocesan and parish offices.  These guidelines will be sent out in the near future.  As with the pastoral ministry guidelines, each parish and parish priest will need to study these guidelines and submit to the Archdiocese information on their proposed schedule for reopening the parish office to the public.

As we prepare to open our parish churches and offices to our parishioners and to the public, we must ensure that the health of everyone is protected and kept safe.  This being the case, we can only open our churches and offices when we are properly prepared and ready.  The Archdiocese will be pleased to do whatever we can to explain the guidelines and to support the parishes in implementing them effectively.

Asking that you continue to join with me in praying that God will bless all of us in our efforts to minister prudently and wisely during this time of pandemic, I remain,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Peter Hundt

Archbishop of St. John’s, Nfld.