Confessions in the sanctuary
Saturdays 3:30PM
St. Margaret Church
** Volunteers are needed to help live stream masses on Facebook. Please text Lisa at
732-822-1806 to volunteer.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Do you really want to hear? They say that parents can identify their child’s cry amid a crowded room. They’re able to cut out all extraneous noise and hone into their child’s distinctive voice.
The opposite is also true; we can tune out voices we don’t want to hear. I can remember as a teenager, literally not hearing what my mother was saying to me. Maybe the moms and dads of today can identify with this. You’re talking to your child, but they’re not even aware of you, they’re entirely engrossed in their phones or tablets. It’s not that they’re ignoring you they don’t even see you or hear you.
This next comment is a bit more sensitive; many couples stop hearing one another. They joke that they could finish each other sentences. If you think you know what somebody’s going to say, maybe you have stopped listening.
This can happen in other relationships too. We can know someone so well; we think we know exactly what they’re going to say, so we become closed to learning what has changed in their worldview or their experience or relationship with us.
Of course, sometimes, we simply don’t want to hear. We don’t want to hear what is challenging or disappointing or something that would ask us to change our lives or behavior. We don’t want an uncomfortable conversation.
And these days, we can deliberately choose to seek out only the voices we agree with. We can live in an echo chamber that simply confirms all our own biases. There’s nothing that will change our heart or mind because we won’t take that risk.
When communication stops relationships no longer flow or grow, they become stagnant; when we don’t listen or hear, we stop learning and stop growing. Everything we have said about human relationships can apply to our relationship with God and our listening, hearing of his word.
Do we want to hear what He has to say? Or do we know it already? Are we reluctant to understand because we are afraid it will demand something of us? A change in our values or our behavior or our world view.
This week as you sit and pray, pray these words, “speak Lord, your servant is listening.” And try to hear what God is asking of you—in your closest relationships, trying to really listen and be present to others. Hear what they’re saying even when they’re not speaking.
With Love and Blessings,
Fr Damian
Beginning the weekend of July 18th & 19th
New Sunday Mass Schedule
9AM- St. Catharine School Playground
10:30AM- St. Margaret Church
The Saturday schedule will remain the same
Reminder
Please remember that masks are required at all times while on the church grounds. This is not only for the safety of our visitors but also our priests and worship team.
We are excited to reopen the churches but need the cooperation of everyone in order to keep it open.
Virtual Mass Links
Masses in St. Margaret Church and St. Catharine School Playground will be streamed on our Facebook Page
Our new streaming system archives all masses and events in St. Catharine Church.
Please see our YouTube channel for all mass recordings and videos
Volunteers for Masses
Thank you to all those that volunteered this past weekend. We are in need of Lectors, Ushers and Eucharistic Ministers. Please note, you do not have to currently be an Usher to volunteer as one, men, women and teenagers are welcome.
We are also in need of volunteers to help stream our masses on Facebook. These volunteers would need a facebook account and will need to bring their own phone and charger. We will make you admins on the account. Volunteers can be any age.
Please email Lisa if you are able to volunteer. We will be posting a schedule tomorrow. If you see an opening while attending mass this weekend please fill in.
*Eucharistic Ministers with an "S" next to their name will be next to the minister holding hand sanitizer. If your hand comes into contact with the person receiving communion please sanitizer your hand before proceeding to the next person.
St. Margaret Church
4PM- Saturday
9AM- Sunday
4PM- Saturday
9AM- Sunday
St. Catharine School Playground
6PM- Saturday
10:30AM- Sunday
Dear Parishioners,
I’m delighted to tell you that we are re-opening for the public celebration of mass, albeit with limited capacity and certain restrictions. Last week Bishop O’Connell made the following announcement.
Parish churches may begin the celebration of limited “in church” public weekend Masses with no more than 1/3 occupancy starting on June 13-14, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, observing all requirements listed below. Weekday “in church” public Masses with no more than 25 persons attending may begin on Monday, June 8, 2020, observing the same requirements. Pastors will determine the most fair and effective ways to ensure proper observance of those numbers.
The full statement is found here:
https://dioceseoftrenton.org/news/dates-announced-for-limited-in-church-masses-sacraments
Daily Mass
*Daily mass will resume on Monday, June 8, 2020 with mass at 12 noon in St. Catharine Church
*Capacity is limited to 50 people maximum.
*Masks must be for everyone over 2 years old.
*Social distancing practices must be observed.
*Mass will still be broadcast every day on LiveSteam.
*Daily mass will be staffed with our current worship team.
Sunday Mass
St. Catharine School Playground
The Sunday celebration of Mass will return with open air mass at St. Catharine School playground at 6 PM Saturday and 10:30 AM Sunday. Many people had requested an outdoor celebration of mass and the limited capacity of St. Catharine Church while observing social distancing did not make it a viable option.
Sunday Mass
St. Catharine School Playground
The Sunday celebration of Mass will return with open air mass at St. Catharine School playground at 6 PM Saturday and 10:30 AM Sunday. Many people had requested an outdoor celebration of mass and the limited capacity of St. Catharine Church while observing social distancing did not make it a viable option.
*Masks must be worn even outside for everyone over 2 years old while entering, exiting and during communion procession.
*Social distancing practices must be observed.
*Please bring your own beach chairs, blankets, and sun hats.
*Please bring your own beach chairs, blankets, and sun hats.
*Strollers are permitted for children.
*Umbrellas are not permitted as they will obscure visibility.
*Feel free to bring water but not a picnic!
*The school gymnasium will serve as an alternative venue in case inclement weather but the capacity is limited to 100 and the gym is not handicapped accessible.
*There will only be one entrance on Salem Avenue but all exits can be used.
*The school gymnasium will serve as an alternative venue in case inclement weather but the capacity is limited to 100 and the gym is not handicapped accessible.
*There will only be one entrance on Salem Avenue but all exits can be used.
*Mass will be streamed live on the parish’s facebook page.
St. Margaret Church
Mass will be celebrated in St. Margaret Church at 4 PM Saturday and 9 AM Sunday morning.
*Masks must be worn for everyone over 2 years old.
*Social distancing practices must be observed.
*The capacity is limited to 100 people upstairs and 25 people downstairs.
*Please use designated seating in every other pew.
*Only one entrance is permitted but any door can be used as an exit.
*Mass will be streamed live on the parish’s facebook page.
Weddings
*Weddings in St. Catharine Church are permitted but limited to a wedding ceremony with a maximum of 50 people.
Funerals
*Funerals can commence again with a limited congregation of 50 people in St. Catharine Church, 100 People in St. Margaret Church, 50 people in St. Anne Mausoleum and 25 people in Resurrection Mausoleum.
*Weddings in St. Catharine Church are permitted but limited to a wedding ceremony with a maximum of 50 people.
Funerals
*Funerals can commence again with a limited congregation of 50 people in St. Catharine Church, 100 People in St. Margaret Church, 50 people in St. Anne Mausoleum and 25 people in Resurrection Mausoleum.
I’m aware that a number of our parishioners have lost relatives without the comfort of funeral rites. On June 17th, a requiem mass with the Bishop was broadcasted from St. Anne’s Mausoleum for those who have died in the Diocese of Trenton during the pandemic irrespective of the cause. I con-celebrated that mass as we remember all those who have passed here in our own parish. More details will follow about the time of the mass and where the link can be found.
Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Lectors will be getting an email to sign up for weekend masses through flocknote and ministry scheduler pro. No one will be auto scheduled. Altar servers will not be used at this time. I would ask you to please be patient with us as we engage in this reopening while trying to ensure your safety.
Eucharistic Ministers, Ushers and Lectors will be getting an email to sign up for weekend masses through flocknote and ministry scheduler pro. No one will be auto scheduled. Altar servers will not be used at this time. I would ask you to please be patient with us as we engage in this reopening while trying to ensure your safety.
I fully understand that you have many other questions about the other sacraments. When I receive more information, I will share it with you immediately.
Thank you for your continued support of the Parish in these challenging times. I truly appreciate all of the notes expressing your gratitude and encouragement for our continued liturgical and pastoral care. Please remember that our reopening plan is essentially an experiment that will be revised depending on the circumstances and requirements and will undoubtedly evolve. I need everyone to continue to be cooperative and patient to make all this work. With God’s grace, I’m confident and hopeful it will.
Thank you for your continued support of the Parish in these challenging times. I truly appreciate all of the notes expressing your gratitude and encouragement for our continued liturgical and pastoral care. Please remember that our reopening plan is essentially an experiment that will be revised depending on the circumstances and requirements and will undoubtedly evolve. I need everyone to continue to be cooperative and patient to make all this work. With God’s grace, I’m confident and hopeful it will.
With Love and Blessings,
Fr Damian
Virtual Prayer Book
Do you know someone that is in need of prayers?
Are they sick and need prayers of healing?
Do they need prayers for strength to get through this crisis?
Do they need prayers for patience while homeschooling their children?
Is someone lonely and could use a little lifting up by the Holy Spirit?
Add their name to our Virtual Prayer Book HERE. During the Prayer of the Faithful we will include them collectively by saying, "all those listed in our virtual prayer book" and they will be included along with all of the intersessions we are praying for during mass.
Catholic Charities News
Catholic Charities is the designated agency to administer the Homeless Prevention Program in Ocean County. The program provides rent assistance as well as temporary housing. For covid 19 emergency assistance call 732-901-1246 X3237.
Mailing address:
215 Essex Avenue
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
215 Essex Avenue
Spring Lake, NJ 07762
Venmo: @stcathstmarg
Zelle: 732-904-3850
Zelle: 732-904-3850
Weekly Collections
Although we are not currently hosting public masses, we are doing our very best to maintain a community for our parishioners and friends.
If you are able, please maintain your contributions to the parish. Donations can be mailed, given electronically, or dropped off in the free standing mailbox outside the rectory offices.
This will help us continue to pay our staff, who continue to work, and maintain vital programs and operations.
More information on electronic giving can be found HERE or by contacting Lisa Cole at
732-449-5765x169 or
Lcole@stcatharine-stmargaret.org
Please support the Annual Catholic Appeal. This initiative helps essential programs throughout the diocese.
Find more information here https://dioceseoftrenton.org/catholicappeal
Weekly Bulletin
Check out our beautiful Sunday Bulletin online
Please click on the link above to view
Fr. Chris Dayton's New YouTube Channel
Father Chris from St. Rose will be posting videos on his new YouTube channel.
Check it out below
A Coronavirus Prayer
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages "curing every disease and illness." At your command, the sick were made well. Come to our aid now, in the midst of the global spread of the coronavirus, that we may experience your healing love.
Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they regain their strength and health through quality medical care.
Heal us from our fear, which prevents nations from working together and neighbors from helping one another.
Heal us from our pride, which can make us claim invulnerability to a disease that knows no borders.
Jesus Christ, you traveled through towns and villages "curing every disease and illness." Come to our aid now, that we may experience your healing love.
Jesus Christ, healer of all, stay by our side in this time of uncertainty and sorrow.
Be with those who have died from the virus. May they be at rest with you in your eternal peace.
Be with the families of those who are sick or have died. As they worry and grieve, defend them from illness and despair. May they know your peace.
Be with the doctors, nurses, researchers and all medical professionals who seek to heal and help those affected and who put themselves at risk in the process. May they know your protection and peace.
Be with the leaders of all nations. Give them the foresight to act with charity and true concern for the well-being of the people they are meant to serve. Give them the wisdom to invest in long-term solutions that will help prepare for or prevent future outbreaks. May they know your peace, as they work together to achieve it on earth.
Whether we are home or abroad, surrounded by many people suffering from this illness or only a few, Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure and mourn, persist and prepare. In place of our anxiety, give us your peace.
Jesus Christ, heal us.
Get Social With Us
We are constantly posting updates while we are maintaining a virtual office.
Please visit us on our social media accounts
Facebook- www.facebook.com/stcatharinestmargaret
Instagram- @stcatharine_stmargaret
Twitter- @stcathstmarg