Today's readings:
Acts 2: 1-11
1 Corinthians 12: 3b-7,
12-13 John 20: 19-23
Luke (in Acts) and John (in his Gospel) narrate different accounts of the Holy Spirit coming to the disciples. Though the narratives differ, in each the disciples were transformed by the experience. As we listen to scripture today, let us open our hearts to be transformed by the Spirit and pray that the Church and the world may be transformed by the myriad gifts the Holy Spirit imparts, which sanctify our lives and renew the face of the earth.
Next week’s readings: Exodus 34: 4b-6, 8-9 2 Corinthians 13: 11-13
A Spiritual Communion Prayer:
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen
First Friday Adoration: Friday June 5, 2020 9:30 am until 7:00pm Strykersville site
If you would like to sign up for an hour call Deacon John or Theresa Zielinski (585)492-0820
Church sites open for Prayer: Strykersville is unlocked for private prayer daily
Sheldon unlocked for private prayer from noon on Saturday until 8:00pm on Sunday
Father Johnson continues to offer his daily mass privately for the intentions as requested in the intention book. There are no public masses being said until further notice. No sacraments are to be administered during this period as well. Only in grave situations, may a confession and anointing of the sick be administered.
In Preparation for the reopening of public masses--- Mass as you all remember it will look and feel a little different when we can gather again. Our very first priority is everyone’s health and safety.
Some changes going forward (hopefully only temporary) will be:
1. Everyone shall bring their own mask and wear it during the service.
2. Everyone should bring their own hand sanitizer and use it before entering and upon leaving the church.
3. Social distancing still needs to happen, alternate pews when seating.
4. No altar servers, no choirs – music can be played and sung by a cantor if they wish to solo.
5. No hymnals or missalettes will be in pews
6. When receiving communion, wear mask while receiving, then you may pull it down to place on your tongue.
7. There will be no precious blood, holding hands at the Our Father or shaking hands at the sign of peace.
8. Following Mass or private prayers, please wipe down any surface you may have touched in your pew area.
***Some wipes will be provided, but if possible, please consider bringing your own wipes, sanitizer and masks—this will lessen the expenses to the parish.***
Mass Intentions:
Saturday, May 30–Vigil-Pentecost Sunday [+Virginia Lefort-family] [All Parishioners] Sunday, May 31-Pentecost Sunday [+Rita Kowalik-Paul & Janet Kirsch] [All Parishioners]
Monday, June 1- [+Lisa Witt-Paul & Janet Kirsch
Tuesday, June 2- [+Peter McNulty-Estate]
Wednesday, June 3- ***NO MASS***
Thursday, June 4- [+Don Roche-Estate]
Friday, June 5- [+Sally Schabloski-Family]
Saturday, June 6–Vigil-Most Holy Trinity [+Bernice Possinger-choir] [All Parishioners] Sunday, June 7-Most Holy Trinity [+Bernard Perl-Estate] [All Parishioners]
Pastor's Pen
Coronavirus, Chastisement and Cure Washington State Catholic Conference Bishops say "we will wait" rather than reopen immediately as President Donald Trump has urged state governors to do.
"We want to let you know the public celebration of Mass was suspended, not out of fear, but out of our deepest respect for human life and health," reads a statement signed by several bishops in a "unified response" and posted on Twitter. In his own guidance on Friday, the president urged governors to "do the right thing" and reopen houses of worship immediately, warning: "If they don't do it, I will override the governors. America, we need more prayer, not less." The Washington state bishops said they are not ready. "While we share the desire to bring people back to Mass as quickly as possible, we will wait to schedule our public worship when it is safe and prepared to do so," the bishops' statement said. It added the state conference follows guidance from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Thomistic Institute, along with public health experts, and is working to develop a plan with Democratic Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. "Parishes must create an environment that is not only safe, but is liturgically reverent," the statement said, adding there is no date yet established for Mass gatherings resuming in the state. (usccb.org)
In 1632, the bubonic plague was devastating Germany due to the evils of the Thirty Years War. Food was scarce, and undernourished citizens were fast succumbing to the disease. The town of Oberammergau decided to isolate itself from the outside world to prevent the plague from taking hold in their town. The plan worked well until October. That’s when they held their annual festival that celebrated the anniversary of the consecration of their church. Despite their insufficient food and the risk of disease, the people of Oberammergau believed that this event was too important to cancel. One Oberammergauer, who lived and worked as a farmhand in a nearby village, sneaked home for the festival. He did not realize that he carried the plague. Within days, both he and his family were dead. By the end of the month, 84 people had died. In 1633, nearly every family experienced loss. The small town’s population faced total decimation.
To stop both the disease and the famine, the townspeople humbled themselves, sought repentance from their worldly ways, and United in Prayer. (gnm.org)
We should do this too!
St. John Neumann Prayer Chain: If you have any requests for prayers please contact Michelle Schubert (585-689-0098) or Carol Comstock (585-317-9459) or email st.j.n.prayer@gmail.com.
Please Pray for: world peace, our country, for those serving overseas, for victims of war, violence and natural disaster, for the sick and suffering including: Fred Marcheson, Todd Hart, Lacey Bach Moore, Carl Schiltz, Cathy Keem, Jean H., Elizabeth, Madonna Zittel, Sheri Zittel, Kathleen Anderson, Paul Switalski, Len Mazurkiewicz, Ruth Z., Isabelle, Prudy Allein, Peter, Gayle Lane, Jeanine Peehler, Bob Daniel, Jean Dominesey, Esther Roberts, Leona Meyer, Judy Perl, Rose Gielow, Shirley Becker, Bernie Eley, Michael Bankers, Annabelle Ziegler, Father Jim Fugle, Bob Schuessler, Bill Calmes, Sylvia Nowak, Marilyn Noecker, Mildred Ash, Liz, Lorne LeMieux, Norm Kehl, Ellsworth Smith, Sabrina Marlowe, Nancy Cox, Gerry Fugle, Linda Hall, Judy Carlson, Shaun Vonna, Donna Perry, Bill Datzler, David Hennenberger, Kathy Eley
Gifts to God:
May 23 & 24 – $ 818.00 (by mail & drop off at office) God Bless you for your generosity!
**Being that there are no public Masses being held and no collections be taken, please consider mailing or dropping off your offering.
Even though there is no Mass, the monthly bills keep coming in and we continue to need your support. Thank you. **
How to connect:
Parish Office: 585-457-3222 Fax: 585-457-3222
3854 Main St. School Building
Office Hours: Monday- Friday 8:00am-3:00pm
Facebook: St. John Neumann Catholic Community
Email: stjohnneumannparish@gmail.com
Website: www.sjnchurch.org - find lots of great info and link for online Mass
Formed: Free Catholic Videos and lots more are available online on FORMED. If you don’t already have a free account on FORMED, here’s how to get one:
- Go to formed.org/signup
- Select your parish
- Register with your name and email address
- Check that email account for a link to begin using FORMED
- If you have any trouble, there are a series of videos to guide you through logging in, signing up, and using the platform. https://watch.formed.org/formed-help-1/season:1