New cases in NJ have been rising.  Hospitalizations are rising.  Death are still practically nil.  The media is now reporting that we've entered the second wave.  Hopefully, this second wave will be more gradual and less deadly.  We're not at April levels yet.  Hospitals are better at treating people.

     Governor Murphy identifies private parties and gatherings as the main cause for the increase.  We are experiencing community spread.  He does not plan to issue new restrictions.  Let's be vigilant in being careful.

     Locally, Manchester has dropped to 6th place.  Jackson has moved up to 3rd place.  These are the top ten towns in Ocean County with percentages of residents who have tested positive.  The overall rate for Ocean County is 2.71%.

1)  Lakewood                  5.72%

2)  Toms River                2.70%

3)  Jackson                     2.61%

4)  South Toms River      2.49%

5)  Berkeley                    2.27%

6)  Manchester               2.26%

7)  Brick                          2.14%

8)  Point Pleasant Boro  1.94%

9)  Seaside Heights        1.86%

10)  Lakehurst                1.78%

     So, while new cases are surging in many places in NJ, in our country, and around the world, they're not surging within our parish boundaries.  Let's keep it that way by persevering in being prudent.

     We had very few funerals in the last couple months.  We now have three scheduled.  In terms of liturgies that we have at St. John's, funerals are the most dangerous.  We have relatives, friends, and neighbors attending who just don't know how to behave in church.  They're not as good at wearing masks properly.  And they tend to get too close to one another.  For parishioners, it may be the first time they've come to church since the lockdown.  I've been to very few viewings, but I find them more dangerous than funerals.

     In response to these challenges, we're getting more volunteers to usher at funerals.  We find that more ushers leads to better behaved visitors.  I rarely go to viewings because most have been the morning before a 12 noon funeral.  While I still intend to go to evening viewings, I may decide at the last moment to skip going inside if there's a mob scene.  I've got to take prudent measures to avoid needing to quarantine myself.

     I'm alerting you to the risks of viewings and funerals so that you can make good, prudent decisions.  Our daily Masses are our safest liturgies.  We're doing well at Sunday Masses too.  The riskiest Sunday Mass is the 4 PM on Saturday.  If you do attend any Mass, feel free to strategize about where to sit.  For Sunday Masses, our ushers insist on individuals sitting in chairs and families in pews so that we can fit more people inside church.  However, you can choose to sit farther away so that fewer people come near you.

     I talked about being in the zone yesterday.  Today, I feel anxiety due to the funerals and NJ entering the second wave.  We need to pray and trust in God.

1)  For all those newly infected with COVID-19.

2)  For those feeling anxiety due to the rise in new cases.

3)  For a return to prudent living for those tired of restrictions.

4)  For peace in our country as we vote in the upcoming elections.

5)  For all those who have died recently and for their family and friends.

God love you,

Fr. Jim