As you may have already heard Bishop David M. O'Connell, in consultation with other bishops and with state authorities, has suspended the public celebration of Mass in the Diocese of Trenton until further notice. He has also dispensed with the obligation of the faithful to attend Sunday Mass for now; however, we are still encouraged to keep holy the Lord's day through private prayer and devotion, reading the Scriptures and doing works of charity as possible. More information can be found at: https://visitationrcchurch.org/coronavirus-update.
This leaves many of us filled with uncertainty and fear, unable to run to our Lord in time of trouble. Certainly wishing that it could be otherwise, this action and the other examples of "social distancing" that we must now employ - at least for the time being - are in place not only for our own safety but for the safety of those around us. Instead of meeting this challenge with a sense of fear, anger or frustration, we must instead do so with the same weapon with which we would fight any spiritual battle: faith.
In our effort to continue to connect the faithful with our Lord in this time of global difficulty, at Visitation Parish, we are offering the following:
- Although the public is not currently permitted to be present during its celebration, "live-streaming" of the Mass being celebrated in the Rectory Chapel is available. Mass times are Monday-Friday at 7:30AM, Saturday at 8:15AM and the Sunday Mass at 9AM. You may access and participate on-line while the Mass is being celebrated at that time or view them afterwards at https://visitationrcchurch.org/youtube-live-feed
- The Church is open every day from 8AM-4PM for private prayer and devotion. The Rectory Chapel is open Monday-Friday from 8AM-4PM with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament available throughout that time
- Confessions are available at their regularly-scheduled times on Saturdays from 3-3:45PM. They will be celebrated in the Sacristy (the little room off of the main altar) to allow privacy and still provide the spacing suggested by government guidelines. Confessions can be arranged at other times by making an appointment through the Rectory office
- The sacrament of Anointing of the Sick is available for emergencies by calling the parish emergency line
- Baptisms, weddings and funerals will continue to be held with attendance kept to the government-mandated limit of 50 persons at most (participation should be kept to immediate family)
- Although our Bulletin company has suspended printing our parish bulletin for now, it is still available for download by going to www.visitationrcchurch.org/bulletins. It would be remiss of us to forget that, although you may not be coming to church, support of the parish is still a need - you may continue to do so by mailing your envelopes to the parish office (or bringing them in person; we are still keeping regular business hours while practicing "social distancing"). You may also do so on-line at www.visitationrcchurch.org/donations
- We encourage everyone to keep current with the situation as it changes by visiting our parish website at www.visitationrcchurch.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VisitationRomanCatholicChurch
During this unique time, many of us are asking ourselves, "What can we do?". In times of uncertainty it is all too easy to fill our hearts with worry and anxiety. We pray that you take the suggested precautions for health and safety at this time, and then turn to God in prayer, He is always with us.
What you can do:
Make an Act of Spiritual Communion
Call your elderly neighbors
Maintain Social Distancing
Follow along with updates from the CDC and WHO
Avoid Fear and Panic. We are a people of trust
Also, it has been announced that Magnificat magazine, a wonderful source of the prayers and readings at Mass as well as insightful reflections, is offering their online edition free during this crisis. You may access this by going to www.magnificat.com/free and following the instructions for your PC or portable device.
A single act of love makes the soul return to life.