My dear friends,
A blessed Solemnity today (June 24th) of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, the precursor to Jesus Christ! We celebrate his birth because the presence of Jesus in the womb at his Mother Mary's Visitation to Elizabeth literally sanctified and brought joy to John six months himself in the womb (Luke 1:39-45)! Therefore, when he was born he was in a state of grace and God's life! It is what Baptism does for the rest of us, so powerful is the presence of Jesus in the world!
Following from New York State and Archdiocese of New York directives regarding COVID-19, we will take these further steps at IHM:
1. Registration for Sunday Masses will be discontinued, effective immediately.
1. Registration for Sunday Masses will be discontinued, effective immediately.
2. Seating in church for this weekend:
- the School side of the main body of the church will be normal seating (no distance). Wearing masks are now optional in this section.
- the Carman Road side of the main body of the church will continue to be for those who prefer to socially distance and wear masks.
- the Adoration Chapel will now only be for those who prefer to wear masks and be socially distanced. It is intended for those who may feel uncomfortable in the main body of the church with the above changes.
3. The Sign of Peace will be verbally reintroduced.
4. We are slowly bringing back vaccinated veterans as Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers.
4. We are slowly bringing back vaccinated veterans as Eucharistic Ministers and Altar Servers.
Also, our sanitizing schedule will be reevaluated for July and thereafter for the church.
5. We will continue to have Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon for the summer months.
From September 12, 2021, until the Sunday before Memorial Day 2022, we plan on the Sunday Mass schedule being: 7:30 AM (no music), 9:00 AM (Family Mass), 10:30 AM (Adult Choir Mass) and 12:00 noon.
6. Baptisms will return to more than one family this summer and up to four families this September for the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 1:30 PM. Please call the Rectory for availability and to set up an appointment.
7. Perpetual Adoration will resume Monday, September 13, 2021, and our hope will be to have sufficient coverage for Monday mornings through Friday evenings.
5. We will continue to have Sunday Masses at 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM and 12:00 noon for the summer months.
From September 12, 2021, until the Sunday before Memorial Day 2022, we plan on the Sunday Mass schedule being: 7:30 AM (no music), 9:00 AM (Family Mass), 10:30 AM (Adult Choir Mass) and 12:00 noon.
6. Baptisms will return to more than one family this summer and up to four families this September for the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 1:30 PM. Please call the Rectory for availability and to set up an appointment.
7. Perpetual Adoration will resume Monday, September 13, 2021, and our hope will be to have sufficient coverage for Monday mornings through Friday evenings.
A good friend of mine will be visiting the area while attending a Conference (Friday, June 25th - Tuesday, June 29th, & Tuesday, July 6th - Monday, July 12th). Thanks to the kindness of Sr. Nancy, she will be staying in the House of Prayer. If you see Jenna Cooper, a Consecrated Virgin for the Archdiocese of New York and Moderator of the Diocesan Tribunal and Canonical (Church Law) Judge in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester (Minnesota), please feel free to introduce yourselves to her!
A blessed evening to you!
Msgr. Luke Sweeney