In-person Weekend Masses have resumed.
 
Mass on Sunday will also be live-streamed from St. Mary's on Facebook at
8 AM.
 

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The Lion's Roar

This Year of St. Joseph (Dec. 8, 2020 to Dec. 8, 2021) Pope Francis asks us to direct our attention and prayers to St. Joseph, the Guardian of the Redeemer. Anybody who recites the Litany of St. Joseph receives a Plenary Indulgence along with the usual condition: sacramental confession, reception of Holy Communion, prayer for the intentions of the Pope, and a total detachment to all sin, including venial sin. Due to length, the second half will be in the next issue.

Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
God our Father in heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Joseph, *pray for us.
Noble son of the House of David, *
Light of patriarchs, *
Husband of the Mother of God, *
Guardian of the Virgin, * 

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It is a beautiful and praiseworthy tradition to recite an act of spiritual communion when one is unable, for whatever reason, to receive Holy Communion. Below is an act of spiritual communion composed by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri.
 
My Jesus,  I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.  I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul.  Since I cannot at this moment 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.

 
     This Monday the country observes a special federal holiday in remembrance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This comes at an appropriate time in our nation’s history since we are embroiled in a struggle to achieve social justice for all people, a dream expressed by Dr. King in his famous address in Washington.

     Social justice is not just something political, but part of Christian life. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the official teaching of the Church, is divided into four parts: [1] The Profession of Faith, i.e. what we believe … [2] The Sacraments of Faith, i.e. how God’s salvation is made present in the life of the Church … [3] The Life of Faith, i.e., the ways of reaching our final end of union with God … and [4] Prayer in the Life of Faith, i.e. the meaning and importance of prayer, especially the Lord’s Prayer. The issue of social justice is explained in Part Three, the Life of Faith.

     The Catechism teaches that we are social beings by nature and that “the good of each individual is necessarily related to the common good” (¶ 1905). It further states that “The common good comprises the sum total of social conditions which allow people, either as groups or as individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully and more easily” (Gaudium et spes, 26 § 1) (¶ 1925).

     To achieve the common good, three things are central: respecting and promoting the fundamental rights of each person … developing the spiritual and temporal goods of the society… providing peace and security for both the group and each individual in a society or community. As Catholics, we need to be active in helping achieve these three goals in whatever way is possible for us. Just ignoring them leaves us vulnerable to the judgment of Jesus: “I was hungry, etc. … and you did not help me” (cf Matthew 25).

     Like all of us sinners, Martin Luther King, Jr. had his flaws.  But we rightly honor him for insisting on peaceful, non-violent methods to correct social wrongs and sins. That’s the way of Jesus and the only acceptable way for those who claim the name Christian, and the only path that leads to true social justice. Pray that all people, whatever their politics and grievances may be, will follow this path.

• Mass on Sunday will also be live-streamed from St. Mary's on Facebook at 8 AM.
• Daily Mass: We are celebrating daily Mass here on Mondays and Tuesdays at 8 AM.
• Anchor: Episode 38 - Visit with our priests on Thursday, January 21, on Facebook at 11:30 AM.
• Confessions: Tuesday 8:30-9:30am; Wednesday 11:00-12:00am; Saturday 11:00-12:00am

  

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Religious Education

January 17   CLASS RESUMES
January 24   CLASS
January 31   CLASS

      
  
  
  

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Important Messages from Bishop David J. Malloy

Vaccines and COVID 19

See this important note from our Diocesan Ethecist, Fr. Ken Wasilewski, regarding the new COVID-19 Vaccines:

As concerns about the Coronavirus continue, and talk of an imminent vaccine becomes more prevalent, there are a few moral questions about the vaccine which have also arisen. These really come down to two basic areas: first, how a given vaccine is developed, and secondly, the morality of receiving that vaccine (or not receiving it). Generally speaking, the Church has long been a supporter of vaccine development and use. (more...)
  

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Bishop David Malloy announced in a letter to all priests Oct. 8, a list of changes to the “Back in His Presence” guidelines issued in June of this year.

Bishop Malloy said in his letter that modifications to the original protocols are being made periodically “based in the experience that we gain as we live through this pandemic.”

After consultations with the Deans and with the Presbyteral Council, the following modifications have been made to “Back in His Presence.” These changes were made effective for Masses beginning October 10-11, 2020.

Prior COVID-19 Statements from Bishop Malloy
Letter from Bishop Malloy and Executive Summary for reopening churches
Bishop Malloy's Dispensation Statement
Diocesan Cancellations AND Postponements

Celebration of the Eucharist

Sunday Masses -
Saturday 4:00 PM
Sunday 9:30 AM

Weekday Masses -
Mondays & Tuesdays 8:00 AM 

Confessions continue during this COVID-19 Pandemic
Saturdays: 11:00 AM-12:00PM (Noon)
Tuesday: 8:30 AM-9:30 AM during Adoration
Wednesday 11:00 AM -12:00PM (Noon)

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